Criminal Defense Blog

Our criminal defense blog covers a variety of topics including DMV hearings, expungements, and many misdemeanor and felony questions. Get informed and make better decisions regarding your case.

Expunction / Expungement: Cleaning Up a Criminal Record

Clearing Your Criminal Record: A Guide to Expunction in North Carolina Introduction to Expunction Whether you call it an expunction or expungement (they are used interchangeably), the process by which one can wipe their criminal record clean is a great tool and one that may prove [...]

During a Police Pat Down, Can The Officer Seize Anything that He Finds On Me?

Police Pat-Down Search and the Plain Feel Doctrine in North Carolina If you're stopped for a police pat down, also known as a terry stop, you may wonder if the police officer can take or seize whatever he find on you. As in most cases, [...]

Reduced Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Drug Offenses

Federal Sentencing Guidelines Amended: Reduced Sentences for Drug Trafficking Offenses The United States Sentencing Commission ("USSC"), an independent agency in the judicial branch, has voted unanimously to amend the federal sentencing guidelines to reduce the sentences for most drug trafficking offenses. Perhaps most notably, this amendment [...]

Probation Violation: Absconding

Understanding Probation Violation: What You Need to Know About Absconding in North Carolina As a law firm that focuses on criminal defense in North Carolina, we've received many questions about probation violations. Below is a question we got from a client about absconding probation. [...]

Halloween Masks and the Law

Is It Illegal to Wear a Mask on Halloween? Leaves are changing, the air is getting cooler (at least some days), and Christmas trees are beginning to appear in department stores everywhere. These signs can only mean one thing: Halloween is on its way. That’s a [...]

Can I get a DUI or DWI with a BAC below .08 in NC?

Understanding Appreciable Impairment in North Carolina DWI Law Can I get a DUI or DWI with a BAC below .08 in NC? Yes, under North Carolina DWI law (N.C.G.S. 20-138.1), a person may be convicted of the criminal offense of Driving While Impaired even if their Blood [...]

Can You Get Sexual Assault Charges Dropped in NC?

Can Sexual Assault Charges Be Dropped in North Carolina? Dropping Sexual Assault Charges in North Carolina Yes, it is possible to get sexual assault charges dropped in NC. While the State's evidence against you may be enough to support your arrest and a sex crime charge, [...]

Misdemeanor Alcohol Possession as a Minor Expungement Checklist

Expungement Checklist for Misdemeanor Alcohol Possession Expungement Requirements for Misdemeanor Alcohol Possession This list applies to convictions for Misdemeanor Alcohol Possession or for a conviction before you turned 18 Sworn affidavit by you: Stating your good behavior for 2 2-year period since the date of your [...]