Plea bargains are an integral part of the criminal legal system. Prosecutors like them because they're always counted as a "win" in their statistics. The courts like them because they help keep the system moving and reduce the backlog of cases that need to be heard....
Criminal Defense
North Carolina woman faces jail over illegal voting
A North Carolina woman was subjected to a tactical-style assault on her home by the police this past July and arrested on an open warrant that she didn't even know existed. She now faces up to 19 months behind bars.Her crime was voting in the 2016 presidential...
How to avoid a real fight over Thanksgiving
Do politics have you dreading Thanksgiving this year? If so, you're not alone. It's estimated that a millions of families with political divides cut their meals short every year because of tension and fights.How do you keep the peace? It might not be easy, but here...
When domestic violence turns into a kidnapping charge
Domestic violence is a complicated issue that tends to arise from deeply emotional situations. In a split second, you may make decisions that don't necessarily reflect your real intentions. Alcohol or drugs may fuel your anger and contribute to the problem.It doesn't...
Millennials consider criminal justice reform a big concern
If you want to get a millennial's attention in the political arena, talk about criminal justice reform. The vast majority of this younger, larger generation that is now becoming a huge political force is concerned about the way that the legal system and ordinary...
North Carolina’s rule on charging teens as adults to change
You may or may not know this, but North Carolina is finally taking steps to fix what many people (especially defense attorneys) believe is a 100-year-old mistake. That's when North Carolina's government defined 16-year-old children as "adults" under the criminal...
Here’s why Miranda warnings don’t always protect you
The first time anybody faces criminal charges, they're usually in shock. Most people don't set out to commit a crime -- and they're stunned by the circumstances that have led them to their situation.Far too many people react to the stress of their arrest by trying to...
Drunk driving conviction overturned in North Carolina
A North Carolina woman who blew a .16 -- or higher -- on several Breathalyzer tests has had her drunk driving conviction overturned on appeal. The case is a fascinating example of just how seriously the courts take the issue of "probable cause" when the police make a...
Charged with a crime? Listen to your attorney’s advice
Have you been charged with a crime? If so, we have some advice for you that you really need to heed if you hope to come out of the situation with the best possible outcome.Here's what you need to know: 1. Call your attorney before you talk to the policeWhy? Because...
In trouble with the law? Try legal help, not magic
The trial of a North Carolina murder defendant was abruptly halted before jury selection was even over after prosecutors disclosed information that seemed to indicate the defendant was trying to arrange for some sort of harm to come to the judge in his case.The...