J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “Should I talk to the police?” Last week the United States Supreme Court held that law-enforcement officers may not prolong traffic-stop investigations in order to allow police canine units to sniff vehicles for drugs. Absent independent, individualized suspicion…
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Blog
Sheriff’s office defends reserve deputy who shot, killed fleeing suspect
J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “If I have an outstanding warrant, what should I do?” The Tulsa Sheriff’s Office was aware as early as 2009 of issues involving a reserve officer’s behavior in the field and special treatment he received during training, according…
Little girl’s nightmares could hold clues to mom’s killer, dad says
Charlotte DWI and Criminal Defense Attorney J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “Can the police search my car without a warrant?” At around 2:00 p.m. on the afternoon of February 21, Natali Castellanos-Tyler, a 30-year-old married mother of two small children, was driving home…
NHL player arrested after pool-party pat down uncovers his cocaine, Molly
J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “Should I ever plead guilty to a charge?” Sports and celebrity news sites in the United States, Canada and around the world have broadcast the details surrounding the arrest last Friday of professional hockey star Jarret Stoll. Stoll…
Alleged broken taillight means death for North Charleston motorist
J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “If I have an outstanding warrant, what should I do?” Saturday, April 4 seemed like a good day for a cookout. Walter Scott drove his friend Pierre Fulton to a local church to pick up some vegetables. The…
Cop who allegedly shot suspected drunken driver in back cleared of wrongdoing
Charlotte DWI and Criminal Defense Attorney J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “What am I obligated to do if I’ve been pulled for Drinking and Driving?” Long before Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson shot Michael Brown, and long before New York City police restrained…
Police officer seeks dismissal of conviction related to fantasy of killing, eating women
J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC answers the question “Can I be arrested without evidence against me?” The prosecution of a former New York City police officer who federal prosecutors say participated in “a concerted criminal plot to kidnap and eat women” has raised concerns that his…
Prison is far from an ideal place to be pregnant
Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: What are the long term effects of being convicted of a crime? Like countless mothers across the United States, Laura Strange spent two hours cradling her newborn daughter Haley in her arms. Unlike most mothers, however, the twenty-five-year-old’s ankle was cuffed…
Legislator wants to expand sex-offender registry to include places of employment
Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers: A past conviction is keeping me from finding work what can I do? A state legislator has introduced a bill that she says will close a loophole in Illinois’ sex offender registry. Critics of the bill say the bill is “overly punitive and…
Nonviolent felonies the real culprit in voter suppression
Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: What are the long term effects of being convicted of a crime? The political battle over voting rights in North Carolina has focused in recent years on the issue of photo identification. One side of the political battle wants to require…