Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “As a parent, what should I be aware of when speaking to police about charges my child faces?” Landmark Criminal Justice Reform Coming to North Carolina on Dec. 1, 2019 North Carolina is the last state in the nation to…
Articles Posted in Criminal Defense
Assault With a Deadly Weapon in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?” A man was arrested in Charlotte and charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon, but what does it mean in North Carolina? As reported by WFMY News 2,…
Do I Need a Criminal Attorney?
Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “If I simply intend to plead guilty, why do I need a lawyer?” The prospect of having to hire a criminal attorney can be terrifying. No one wants to be in a position to have to figure out whether or not…
Warrants for Digital Devices in North Carolina
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Can I be arrested without evidence against me?” As technology advances, so must the law. The problem is that sometimes the law is slow to catch up to technological advances, and it can take even longer for the law to cover…
Opinion-Based Police Testimony in Criminal Cases
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Should I talk to the police?” Police are an integral part of society; they keep the peace, catch criminals, and put their lives at risk to keep the general population safe. Since the police play such a large role in solving…
Chalking Vehicle Tires is a Fourth Amendment Search
Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Can the police search my car without a warrant?” The Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit recently ruled on a case challenging parking enforcement practices of putting chalk on a vehicle’s tire so that they can keep track of how…
Will ‘Aunt Becky’ Go to Jail?
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Should I ever plead guilty to a charge?” You have probably heard about “Operation Varsity Blues,” the college admissions scandal that is rocking the nation. Evidence of parents cheating, lying, and bribing their children’s ways into top-level schools around the country…
Evidence Used in North Carolina Self Defense Cases
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Should I ever plead guilty to a charge?” When facing criminal assault, battery, or any other type of charges, defendants often claim self defense. When claiming self defense, a defendant is stating that the party claiming to be the victim was…
The Criminal Court Process in North Carolina
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?” The criminal court process can be difficult to understand. If you have never been charged with a crime, or even if you have, it can be difficult to determine what the…
The Importance of Proper Jury Instructions
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Should I ever plead guilty to a charge?” A fundamental part of the United States court systems is the right for the accused to have a trial by a jury of their peers. However, included in this right is the inherent…