At-home DNA kits from brands like 23andMe and Ancestry are very popular holiday gifts. They may also be destroying whatever semblance of privacy Americans may have left. It's not the DNA kits themselves that are a problem -- it's the databases being used to store the...
criminal defense
How a DUI can hurt your education and career
You might choose to party and drink socially to have fun and let go of the stresses of your academic studies or job. However, driving after such drinking is never worth the serious consequences. At minimum you face license suspension, hefty fines, jail time and even...
What makes you subject to tribal law in North Carolina?
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has a significant population in North Carolina, and members of that nation who are accused of a criminal offense may be subject to tribal law instead of the laws of the state of North Carolina. Sometimes that's an advantage, and...
The process of appealing your criminal conviction
Going through the process of participating in court proceedings and ultimately receiving a sentence may leave you feeling unsure of your future. Fortunately, you have the legal right to file an appeal in North Carolina if you disagree with the outcome of your...
Why is mitigation important to your defense?
Whether the evidence against you is overwhelming and you're convicted at trial or you've simply resolved to plead guilty in court, mitigation becomes the next area for your defense attorney to address. A mitigating factor is basically anything that might indicate a...
Do the police always need a search warrant?
The 4th Amendment protects you from “unreasonable” searches and seizures by the police. A search may be more reasonable if the police get a search warrant signed by a neutral third party, often a judge. However, every search does not require a warrant. Understanding...
Understand your right to plead the Fifth
You might have heard the term "plead the Fifth" when you're watching a television show or movie that's about a criminal matter. If you're facing charges for anything, this is a phrase with which you might need to familiarize yourself. It may come in handy as your case...
What to do if facing arrest
Getting stopped by the police is scary, and many people do not understand their rights or how to act when faced with questions. There are ways to act within one’s rights without escalating the situation. If the police do make an arrest, it is important to know how to...
Plea deals are sometimes viable defense options
When you're facing criminal charges, you have several decisions to make early in the case. One of the primary ones is whether you are going to plead guilty or not guilty to the charges against you. Most people opt to plead not guilty so that they have a chance...
The differences between burglary and breaking and entering
Confusion over the distinction between burglary and breaking and entering is understandable; each state has its own definitions that may not match up with others. In North Carolina, these two terms fall under the classification of property crimes. However, they refer...