17 January

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Adult drug treatment court – an overview

in criminal defense, Drug Charges, DWI/DUI

For people struggling with drug dependency issues, traditional courts and criminal penalties often do not serve their needs or aid with avoiding recidivism. As an alternative, several counties throughout North Carolina offer adult drug treatment court programs. Understanding the adult drug treatment court program may help people facing criminal charges determine if they will benefit from participation. Who is eligible to participate? According to the North Carolina Judicial Branch, to participate in the adult drug treatment court, people must meet certain eligibility criteria. To qualify for admittance into the program, people must have the following: A diagnosis of chemical dependency or borderline chemical dependency...

06 January

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How drug scheduling affects trafficking charges and penalties

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in drug trafficking

A charge of drug trafficking does not necessarily involve the movement of drugs from one place to another. Rather, it is the possession of controlled substances in sufficient amounts to suggesting an intent to sell them. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration uses scheduling to organize controlled substances. A drug’s schedule influences the amount required for trafficking charges. What are drug schedules? Drug schedules are categories of controlled substances organized according to how dangerous they can be versus how useful they can be at treating diseases. There are five schedules, each identified with a Roman numeral. Schedule V controlled substances have the lowest...

17 December

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Road rage and its ramifications

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in personal injury

The road is a complicated system. Drivers with different destinations and intentions have to work around each other, sometimes for a prolonged amount of time. When people begin to look at other drivers as a hindrance, tempers can flare. It is one thing to become angry while driving, but it is another thing to let the anger emanate through aggressive behavior. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reported that about 1,800 injuries and 30 deaths occur each year due to road rage. To mitigate these situations, it helps to look out for the causes. Aggressive driving According to the National Highway Traffic Safety...

14 December

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Does driving in the dark increase accident risk?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

As the sun sets earlier and the days become shorter, your schedule may require you to drive in the dark more often than usual. While you may be familiar with driving at night, doing so often comes with increased dangers and risks. Bright headlights, vision difficulties and nighttime distractions are just some of the issues caused by a lack of natural sunlight. Yet, there are steps you can take to increase your safety and minimize your risk of getting into a deadly car accident. Vision difficulties Not only is it harder for drivers to see in the dark, but the bright glare of...

29 November

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Are you really ready to accept a prosecutor’s plea deal?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in criminal defense

If you are facing criminal charges, there is a good chance a prosecutor may offer you a plea deal. After all, according to reporting from KSMU, roughly 95% of criminal prosecutions in the U.S. end with guilty pleas instead of judge or jury verdicts. Depending on the circumstances of your case, it may be advisable to negotiate a deal with prosecutors. Still, before you agree to any plea deal, you must be sure you are ready to do so. Asking yourself some basic questions may help you make an informed decision. Did you commit the crime? Accepting a prosecutor’s plea deal usually means...

10 November

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Is this cold stress?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in personal injury

Working outdoors comes with certain health concerns and safety risks no matter what time of the year it is. Of course, as the days get shorter and colder, you will have to handle cold-related risks even if you do not deal with a lot of snow or ice. Cold stress on the body can cause numerous injuries and ailments, and each one can potentially put your overall health at risk. What are cold stress injuries? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration takes a look at the effects of cold stress. In general, cold stress affects the body when exposed to extreme cold or...

28 October

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Is drowsy driving as dangerous as it seems?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

In recent years, more attention has come to the potential hazards related to drowsy driving. Experts across the board paint it as one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving, which says a lot, given this category also includes the highly fatal act of operating mobile devices while driving. But is drowsy driving actually that dangerous? What about it makes it such a risk to drivers in the first place? Drowsiness vs. intoxication Sleep Foundation takes a look at the impact of drowsiness on overall driver safety, revealing important facts about this form of distracted driving. First, drowsiness actually has a similar...

17 October

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Can the prosecution back out of a plea deal?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in criminal defense

If you face criminal charges, and if there is a strong likelihood that the prosecution will secure a conviction, a plea bargain may offer the most favorable outcome. If the prosecution offers a deal and you accept it, the courts will consider it legally binding, much like a contract. What if, however, the courts have yet to finalize your deal and the prosecution attempts to back out? Is it legally allowed to do so? No take-backs According to Nolo, the American Bar Association established Prosecutorial Function Standard 3-4.2(c), which essentially states that it is unprofessional for prosecutors to back out of plea agreements...

13 October

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Defensive driving can keep you safer on the road

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in personal injury

A defensive driver is someone who is on alert for potential dangers and risky behaviors. It is about keeping yourself and your passengers safe while practicing habits that will help lessen your chances of becoming involved in a motor vehicle collision. Keep your vehicle safe The first step in avoiding driving mishaps is to keep your vehicle in good condition. Regularly check that your lights and signals are working, get your oil changed as often as recommended and keep all scheduled maintenance appointments. Make sure that the vehicle you are driving is running safely and smoothly so that you can trust it to...

29 September

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What is simple affray?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in assault and battery

In North Carolina, the law merges assault, which is the threat of bodily harm, and battery, which is unlawful bodily contact, into a single crime. The same law that defines and imposes penalties for assault and battery also covers a similar offense, simple affray. Simple affray is a specific type of assault and battery. According to the University of North Carolina, there are three things that the state must prove to obtain a conviction on a charge of simple affray. A fight A charge of simple affray pertains to a fight between at least two people. The law defines a fight as either...

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