31 October

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Researchers unveil marijuana Breathalyzer

Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have announced a new tool to detect the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, THC, on a person’s breath. The university began developing the device in 2016 as more states legalized recreational pot. Thirty-three states have legalized marijuana in some form, and there are several devices currently in development that could potentially help law enforcement detect marijuana on drivers. However, scientists and legal experts say none of the methods are ready for use. Drugged driving charges in North Carolina In the Tar Heel State, a person can be charged with driving while impaired (DWI) if officers believe they are under...

25 October

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What are field sobriety tests?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in criminal defense

If you are one of the many people who live in North Carolina and find yourself charged with driving while intoxicated offense, you may understandably feel afraid and unsure of what to do next. It is important to remember than an arrest and an accusation of a crime does not guarantee that you will be convicted of the charges. One element of a drunk driving investigation and arrest process is the administration of field sobriety tests. Understanding these tests is important for you. As explained by FieldSobrietyTests.org, there are three roadside tests approved for use by the National Highway Traffic Safety...

21 October

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Understanding North Carolina embezzlement laws

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in criminal defense, White Collar Crimes

When you think about embezzlement, you may imagine a large scheme designed to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from a large corporation. In reality, however, many cases in which an employee steals from his or her employer involve smaller but nonetheless significant amounts. If you face theft or embezzlement charges in North Carolina, learn more about how the state laws will affect your case. State definition of embezzlement Theft becomes embezzlement when it involves certain individuals, including, but not limited to, trustees, clerks, agents and business administrators who divert company funds for their own use. Embezzlement is a Class H felony in North Carolina but...

20 September

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Does my state have the worst drivers?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents, Traffic Violations

Car accidents happen all the time in North Carolina, but that does not mean that this state has drivers who worse than other states. There is a lot of information about accidents, including what causes them and who is most likely to get into them. There are also statistics about where the worst drivers seem to live. So, you may wonder how your area stacks up. Forbes has a list of the top cities for the worst drivers and the best drivers. You will be happy to learn that North Carolina has zero cities on the worst driver list. Some other...

20 September

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What are the risks of playing youth sports?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in personal injury

When your child plays sports in North Carolina, there are always the typical injury risks. However, injuries from playing youth sports go much deeper than sprains, strains and broken bones. These injuries could have a long-lasting effect on your child. It is essential as a parent that you understand the risks of youth sports that go beyond the standard injury possibilities. Fox News explains that one of the biggest risk of injury comes from kids who specialize in a sport starting at an early age. This is becoming more common. Kids want to become very good at their chosen sport, so...

05 September

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What causes distracted driving?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

Distracted drivers in North Carolina can cause serious accidents. Nowadays, drivers have a lot of demands on their attention. It is crucial to stay focused. Safe drivers are drivers who are not distracted. One way to ensure that you drive safer is to know the contributors to distracted driving. One of the most commonly cited distracted driving factors is the use of cell phones. Teen Safe confirms cell phone usage is the second largest factor behind distracted driving. Another major contributor, however, is adjusting the climate control or radio while driving. When you take your attention off the road, anything can...

28 August

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Will I go to jail for DWI in North Carolina?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in Traffic Violations

North Carolina treats driving while impaired as a misdemeanor with five separate penalty levels from V, the least severe, to I, the most severe. Every level carries a mandatory minimum jail sentence, starting with 24 hours to 60 days for a first-time offender. However, some Level V, IV and III offenders may be eligible for a suspended sentence for a North Carolina DWI charge. Jail time for each DWI level Mandatory minimum and maximum sentences for DUI imposed by the state are as follows: 24 hours to 60 days in jail for Level V 48 hours to 120 days in jail for Level IV 72 hours...

22 August

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The consequences of speeding can be more severe than a ticket

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in Traffic Violations

Busy lifestyles have become the norm. People seem to always be rushing around to bring their kids to school, go to work, pick up the kids, go to the grocery store, and complete all the little errands that must be done in between. Having a busy lifestyle can be exciting and fulfilling, but those leading busy lifestyles may be more likely to develop some bad habits. For many people, a fear of running late can encourage speeding. However, speeding puts everyone on the road at risk. Speeding may be especially prevalent in North Carolina In North Carolina, speeding contributed to almost 32% of all traffic fatalities...

07 August

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What are the chances of a shark attack?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in personal injury

Warm weather means people flocking to the beaches in North Carolina. However, in recent years, there has been a lot of talk about shark attacks, even close to shore. This may keep you away from the beach out of fear that a shark could attack you, but how likely is that to really happen? The News & Observer explains that shark attacks are not really that common. There are actually many other more mundane things that have a higher chance of killing you. Shark attacks are just so feared and sensationalized that when one happens, it makes the news. It is...

26 July

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What are my Fourth Amendment rights?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in criminal defense

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees you the right to privacy. It specifically protects you from unlawful searches and seizures by law enforcement officers. In most cases, a warrant is necessary for a police officer to carry out a search or seizure. However, there are certain exceptions to the rule. Police officers can conduct certain searches and seizures without warrants in specific circumstances. Warrant requirement Police officers can search you or your property without violating the Constitution by obtaining a warrant from a neutral judge. The official seeking a warrant must explain the reasonable suspicion of criminal activity and identify the...

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