Dunn NC Motor Vehicle Accidents Law Blog

Collateral consequences can contribute to recidivism

On behalf of Hayes, Williams, Turner & Daughtry, P.A. on Monday, May 25, 2020.

A person who is convicted of a crime will have to deal with court-imposed penalties. They might believe that once they meet the requirements of those penalties, they will be done with the criminal matter, but this isn't what's likely going to happen. Instead, they will have to deal with collateral consequences of the conviction.

The collateral consequences that a person has to face are usually worse for those who have a felony conviction, but they aren't absent for individuals who have a misdemeanor conviction. It's imperative for anyone who is facing a criminal charge to understand not only the sentence they face but to also familiarize themselves with collateral consequences.

What's a habitual felon in North Carolina?

On behalf of Hayes, Williams, Turner & Daughtry, P.A. posted in Criminal Defense on Tuesday, May 19, 2020.

A lot of states take a dim view of repeat criminal offenders. In North Carolina, that view is reflected through a "habitual felon" charge.

What makes a person a habitual felon? A person who has had three prior convictions (or plea bargains) involving felonies as an adult, regardless of where the crimes were committed is considered "habitual."

Is there ever a right time to adopt a child?

On behalf of Hayes, Williams, Turner & Daughtry, P.A. posted in Family Law on Wednesday, May 13, 2020.

When planning for a family, many couples tend to ask themselves whether it's the right time to bring a child into the world. It's always tempting to delay welcoming a new family member because you believe that the future you will be more financially stable, prepared and more able to offer the most stable and loving home possible.

Uncertainties in the world can also make people less-inclined to adopt. Couples may worry that financial insecurity may affect their ability to be successful in the adoption process, and choose to delay.

Work on healing after your marriage ends

On behalf of Hayes, Williams, Turner & Daughtry, P.A. on Sunday, May 10, 2020.

Saying that your marriage is done and filing for a divorce can lead to some very strong emotions. Not only do you have to deal with the emotional turmoil, you also have to handle the legal matters. It's imperative that you take the time to heal emotionally and mentally once you know that the marriage is over.

Most people don't heal quickly when they end a marriage. Some people, especially those who were in an abusive marriage, might be surprised at how long it takes. They may also be shocked by the range of emotions they feel even though they wanted the split.

Can you keep your license after a DWI in North Carolina?

On behalf of Hayes, Williams, Turner & Daughtry, P.A. posted in Drunk Driving on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.

You didn't think you were the slightest bit impaired, even though you had a drink or two. When you were charged with driving while impaired (DWI), it came as a total shock.

So what happens now? Since it's your first offense, do you have any hope of keeping your license?

The dangers of someone running a red light

On behalf of Hayes, Williams, Turner & Daughtry, P.A. posted in Car Accidents on Monday, April 27, 2020.

Have you ever seen another driver sail through an intersection when the light was already red? Have you ever slipped through an intersection yourself just as the light turned and reasoned that the light was more "pink" than red?

You aren't alone. Red-light running has become an increasingly common problem in the last decade. In fact, the number of deaths attributed to red light running has risen by 28% between 2012 and 2017.

When do you need an accident reconstruction expert?

On behalf of Hayes, Williams, Turner & Daughtry, P.A. posted in Car Accidents on Tuesday, April 21, 2020.

Motor vehicle accidents of any sort happen quickly -- far more quickly than most people can process. Once they're over, even the people involved in the wreck and the witnesses nearby may disagree on how events unfolded.

This is particularly true when there are multiple vehicles involved or a major accident seems to have come out of nowhere and there were no witnesses around. That's when an accident reconstruction expert is invaluable to a case.

What are aggravating and mitigating factors in a criminal case?

On behalf of Hayes, Williams, Turner & Daughtry, P.A. posted in Criminal Defense on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.

If you've been charged with a crime, you'd probably ideally prefer to either have the charges dropped or be acquitted.

But what if that doesn't happen? If you're convicted, you may find yourself listening to the "aggravating" and "mitigating" factors associated with your case.

Do you know about Breathalyzer test weaknesses?

On behalf of Hayes, Williams, Turner & Daughtry, P.A. on Saturday, April 11, 2020.

Breathalyzers and similar devices are one of the most common types of sobriety tests used in drunk driving stops, and their results often lead to drunk driving convictions. When a driver receives charges after failing a Breathalyzer test, they may think that there is nothing they can do to defend themselves, but this is not always the case.

Breathalyzers have several weaknesses that can skew their test results. If you recently received drunk driving charges after failing a Breathalyzer test, it is wise to examine the circumstances of your arrest to identify any grounds for challenging your test results. This is an important part of building a strong legal strategy to keep your rights secure throughout the defense process.

Never do these things behind the wheel

On behalf of Hayes, Williams, Turner & Daughtry, P.A. posted in Car Accidents on Tuesday, April 7, 2020.

Distracted driving is thought to be behind about a quarter of all motor vehicle accidents. Distractions are also behind about 9% of crashes that involve some kind of fatality.

That's a significant factor -- especially when you consider that every distracted driving accident is ultimately preventable. If every driver would simply pay attention, accidents and fatalities would drop significantly.

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