Miranda warnings are the subject of a lot of misunderstandings.Those misunderstandings can lead to big problems for defendants who rely on them. Here are some of the most important things that everyone should know about Miranda warnings: They do not have to be exactly...
Criminal Defense
3 rules the prosecution has to follow in any criminal case
Being charged with a crime can be terrifying. However, you need to take a deep breath and realize that not only are there a number of possible defenses available to you but the prosecution has some pretty strict rules to follow.What rules? First of all, the...
What defenses do you have to theft charges?
If you've been charged with theft and the facts of the case seem to support the allegations, do you still have any possible defenses?In any criminal case, you're only guilty of what the prosecution can prove. That's an important thing to remember -- it can keep you...
Defending against an assault and battery charge
Assault and battery are two criminal charges that are often intertwined, even though they're actually separate offenses.Assault involves threatening another person with an injury -- verbally or by your actions. If you actually make contact with the other person,...
Physically and legally protect yourself during an arrest
Getting arrested is naturally unpleasant -- but it's also both physically and legally dangerous.Tension is usually high for both the accused and the officers making the arrest. If you've been watching the news, you're probably already aware that many police-involved...
4 things you should know about shoplifting in North Carolina
In North Carolina, shoplifting is taken seriously -- but the laws regarding theft are often hard to understand.In order to protect yourself, there are some facts everyone should know. 1. Shoplifting is part of the larceny statuteNorth Carolina uses the term "larceny"...
North Carolina takes steps to speed up criminal system
North Carolina, like many other states, has more evidence of criminal wrongdoing than they can handle.There's so much evidence, in fact, that the state has had to previously dismiss charges that ranged from drunk driving all the way to murder because the state...
Poverty makes life harder for those accused of crimes
"Criminalizing the poor" is a problem that a lot of states are facing.Essentially, poor defendants who don't have enough resources to pay the fines, court costs and administrative fees that are leveled against them for minor offenses -- like a traffic ticket or a...
What happens if your minor child is arrested?
One of a parent's biggest nightmares is getting a call from the police letting them know that their minor child is under arrest for some reason -- yet it can easily happen these days.A lot of kids get into legal trouble for behavior that would have been dealt with...
North Carolina criminal defense: Life after a felony conviction
You may already understand how a felony conviction affects your life immediately, but have you given any thought to the future consequences? For example, say you were convicted of a drug felony and dutifully served your time and paid the price. When you reenter...