Case Results in Winston-Salem and the surrounding areas
Disclaimer: The facts and circumstances of each case are different as such each case must be evaluated upon the unique circumstances and facts. The results summarized here are not necessarily representative of the results obtained in all cases.
Dismissed – DWI won for Corpus Delicti
Our founder, Clarke Dummit, won another DWI case based upon the Corpus Delicti rule. Our client got charged with DWI after the Winston-Salem police officer heard the crash and drove over to the scene of the wreck 3 minutes later. When the officer arrived our client was out of the car with the hood open looking at the damage to the grill. There was another person at the scene who could have been driving, but our client said he was driving. There was no physical evidence that our client was driving, and the only circumstantial evidence (that our client owned the car, and was at the scene) led equally to the conclusion that he was a passenger. Our client was arrested and blew a .17 at the station. What is Corpus Delicti? Mr. Dummit of Dummit Fradin made a motion to dismiss at the close of the State’s [...]
Dismissed | Breaking and Entering, Larceny, Resisting Officer
Our client was facing sentencing on multiple counts in Winston-Salem and hired criminal defense attorney Clarke Dummit. Mr. Dummit presented multiple potential evidentiary issues, and possible suppression and identification issues if the case went to trial. Rather than continue with trial, the State agreed to dismiss all charges once our client paid restitution and did community service.
Mistaken Identity: Clearing our Client’s Name
Attorney: Tyler Chriscoe Type of Case: Misdemeanor Larceny Case Result: Voluntary Dismissal with Court-Ordered Expungement Location: Winston-Salem, Forsyth County A Promotion Denied Our soon-to-be client, a normally hardworking guy, was ecstatic when his name came up for a significant promotion at work. Not only would he receive more money but more responsibility and faster advancement. There was only one hurdle left, a review with his bosses that included a background check. He was not concerned, he had a troubled past, but nothing new. He had been through these reviews before, his bosses knew about his history and more importantly, how he had cleaned his life up. This should have been a formality. However, when they showed him the background check, he was dumbfounded. It showed he had a pending larceny charge. Stuck in a state of utter confusion, he simply couldn't understand what had happened. [...]
Case Result: Father Maintains Child Custody in Forsyth County
Case Result: Father Maintains Custody After Motion to Dismiss Out-of-State Modification For a parent, few things are more distressing than the fear of losing time with your children. This anxiety is often amplified when an ex-spouse moves to another state and then attempts to change a custody order from afar. Our firm recently represented a father in Forsyth County who faced this exact challenge. This case underscores the crucial importance of understanding legal jurisdiction in interstate custody disputes and how a strategic legal motion can effectively protect a parent's rights. The Challenge: An Out-of-State Motion to Modify Custody and Visitation Our client, a dedicated father of two, had an established child custody order in North Carolina. His ex-wife subsequently moved out of state. Sometime after her move, she filed a "Motion to Modify Child Custody" with the court, seeking to drastically change the existing arrangement and [...]
From Crash to DWI Trial: Winning With A Tactical Cross
From A Car Crash to a DWI Trial: Winning through the Art of Tactical Cross-Examination Facing criminal charges is always stressful, but it's especially difficult when it's a Driving While Impaired (DWI) charge. The consequences can feel overwhelming: the client will have to pay court fines and legal fees, will face at least one license suspension, and probation or jail time depending on the circumstances, unless a plea bargain can be arranged. Additionally, there are potential future consequences to employment, custody battles, housing, or anything where having a criminal record might be a problem. A guilty verdict after a DWI trial can and will upend a person's entire life. Therefore, it's imperative when facing this kind of charge, that your attorney is experienced in DWI defense so they have effective strategies at every stage in the case. Recently, [...]
Dismissed – Under 21 DWI
Mr. Dummit wins again! This time, our client was a young woman who had been charged in Winston-Salem with Driving After Consuming under the age of 21. This charge is different from an over 21 DWI. When under 21, a breathalyzer reading of anything over 0.0 is, by law, enough for the charge. Mr. Dummit was able to show that proper procedures were not followed at the time our client was charged, and so the breath test could not be used as evidence. Without a breath test, the state could not prove the charge, and our client’s charge was dismissed. Dummit Fradin shows, yet again, that the state has to follow the same rules as the citizens.
Cyberstalking Dismissal as Custody Battle Rages on
Child custody cases often become difficult and messy, but rarely do they lead to cyberstalking charges. In one recent case, however, our Winston-Salem-based Criminal Defense Attorney Tyler Chriscoe had to step in and help out a client who experienced exactly that. Custody Dispute Gets Complicated Our Firm was assisting a client with an ongoing child custody dispute. Sometimes it becomes necessary for one parent to investigate the activities of another when it pertains to the safety and well-being of their mutual children. As part of that investigation, our client hired a private investigator to gather information about the other party involved. The private investigator placed a GPS monitor on the other party's car as part of their contract. This is legal when done for a lawful purpose. However, the other party discovered the tracker and accused our client of cyberstalking. Unfounded Cyberstalking Accusations Fortunately, [...]
Driving is Risky Business: Go with the Flow or Impede Others?
Driving Can Be Risky Business - Do You Go With the Flow or Impede Others? This is one client's story A Typical Commute Goes Awry Driving down our normal paths every day, from work to home, from home to school, from school to work becomes customary, expected, even ordinary. We try to stay alert, we try to stay safe, but these routes become so ingrained in our daily routines that we drive them on autopilot, nearly without thought. We follow along with others on the same paths in life thinking about our jobs, our kids, or singing along to our favorite songs. We know these roads. We know their hazards and their twists and turns. These are our safe zones. For one Forsyth County woman, just going along about her daily drive, the same as she does every day, these familiar spaces [...]
Third-Party Granted Emergency Custody in Forsyth County
Type of Case: Emergency Custody Granted to Third-Party Case Result: The client was given exclusive legal and physical custody of both children. The opposing party was not given any visitation at this time. County: Forsyth County A client rushed to retain our firm for help getting two children back in her custody immediately. Our family law team, which handles emergency custody cases regularly, quickly met with the client and proceeded to file an emergency ex parte custody motion with the court. But, not before overcoming a few legal challenges along the way. Visitation Goes Wrong The client had been granted Intervenor status. She had cared for the children full-time in her home as their primary caregiver for the past two years. The opposing party, in this case, was the biological mother who had an existing visitation schedule with the children. During the last visitation, the mother took the [...]
Finding Peace Through Mediation: A Tenacious Effort
Outstanding Results from the Family Law Attorneys in Winston-Salem: Settlement of All Divorce Issues in Mediation Difficult and Emotional Time Divorce is never easy. It's the end of a huge chapter in a person's life. However, it is usually not a good sign when a client comes to us seeking a second attorney. In this case, the client had already attempted mediation, which resulted in a deadlock and high levels of hostility between both parties. The previous counsel had not been able to get the case settled, and the other side was making unreasonable offers. Our client was facing litigation and would most likely fare poorly. Dummit Fradin was determined to help the client get the best outcome possible. Back to Mediation The first step in the process was to persuade the opposing counsel, client, and the judge to order the parties [...]
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