Police officers in movies and television shows behave in ways that real police officers cannot. They pull out their weapons with almost no provocation. They become physically violent when emotionally provoked. They also openly lie to those that they interrogate in the...
During a North Carolina divorce, both spouses can trust that the outcome for property division will be fair. That is because state law requires the equitable distribution of a couple's marital property based on their personal circumstances. A judge will look at...
People usually get arrested for driving while impaired (DWI) in one of two situations. The first is after a crash of some kind. A driver who has had too much to drink may blow through a stop sign and strike another vehicle. They could also wind up in a single-car...
Divorcing is tough on any child, but it can have a significant impact on those in elementary school. Between the ages of around six and 10, children are learning to be more independent and to voice their opinions. At this time, they still rely heavily on their parents...
A motion for appropriate relief (or “MAR”) is a motion to correct a purported error in the legal proceedings, and asks the court for relief such as vacating a conviction or ordering a new trial. MAR’s are created by North Carolina Statute § 15A-1420 and allow a...
Any time a person can be sentenced to active jail time, they have a right to have an attorney. The line has been heard countless times on tv shows, “You have the right to an attorney. If you can’t afford one, one will be appointed to you.” Who does an appointed...
Over the past six weeks there has been an increase in domestic violence. Potential clients have frequently said, “The courts are closed. What I can do?”. The answer is just the same as it was before COVID-19 started to shut everything down; press criminal charges,...
In North Carolina, the severity of the charge(s) you face depends on the amount of marijuana you possess and whether or not the State believes you intended to sell or distribute the marijuana. Statistically, the vast majority of possession charges in North Carolina...
Honesty is the best policy. That saying has been around for as long as I can remember, and probably long before that. However, the reality is, when it comes to a relationship with you and your attorney, this is absolutely the truth and it does not matter what time...
Divorce is not as simple as moving out and filing at the local courthouse. Many states have established a “waiting period”, because the courts believe that it is important to protect the sanctity of marriage. North Carolina requires couples to be separated for a...