No. There is substantial evidence that the preliminary drug tests police officers use during traffic stops are not always accurate. As a matter of fact, the tests are known for false positives. In 2016, the nonprofit newsroom ProPublica published a series of...
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Be aware: Forensic evidence isn’t always accurate
Sometimes, when people are arrested, police officers tell them they have been caught dead to rights. There is forensic evidence – fingerprints, bloodstains, DNA, hair, fibers or other tests that clearly indicate guilt. The suspect might as well give up and plead...
Can I get my adult criminal record expunged in North Carolina?
If you have ever been arrested in North Carolina – even if you weren’t charged – you probably have a criminal record. That strikes many people as unfair because it will show up in a criminal records check. Employers, landlords and educational institutions can find out...
The penalties for repeat DWI in North Carolina are quite serious
A lot of people have made the mistake of drinking too much before driving. If you enjoy drinking alcohol, you probably think about whether you’re too impaired to drive. It can be a delicate balance and, too often, people make mistakes. If you’ve been arrested for DWI...
What are my rights during a traffic stop?
The Constitution and the Bill of Rights reserve some rights of the individual against the government, and that includes the police. If you are stopped by the police, you have several important rights, but you must be the one to exercise them. First, you are...
How much trouble can I get in for violating a restraining order?
It may have been a misunderstanding, but your intimate partner got a protective order against you. How serious would it be to violate that order? It could get you into very big trouble, depending on the situation. Knowingly violating a valid protective order,...
What could a drug conviction mean for my future?
If you are convicted of a drug crime, even a low-level, nonviolent offense such as possession, you could face fines and imprisonment, along with other judicial consequences like court fees and court-ordered drug treatment. Those are only the short-term, immediate...
Are ‘reverse search warrants’ legal?
Lately, it has become almost commonplace for law enforcement to search for suspects using “reverse search warrants.” What are they? Traditionally, search warrants were intended to keep the government from unreasonably searching people and their property. Only when a...
What are the penalties for DWI in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, you can be charged with any of six misdemeanor levels of driving while intoxicated (DWI). In certain circumstances, however, DWI can also be charged as a felony. Here are the penalties for each charge: Level V misdemeanor Minimum jail sentence of 24...
Ticketed for a child not being properly restrained?
In North Carolina, every occupant of a vehicle who is under 16 years old needs to be buckled up and belted in. For older kids, that can mean in a seat belt that met federal safety standards when it was manufactured. For younger kids, parents should be using a child...
