Criminal Defense

Should I Make a Statement to Police After My Arrest?

Published on: August 10, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Should I talk to the police?”

A police arrest can be a traumatic experience. When the police make an arrest, there is often some urgency and sometimes confusion. You may be trying to help your case or do not realize what you said, but you made a statement to the police. Now, you are unsure whether you made a big mistake and how you can help resolve your case favorably. While giving a statement might not be helpful to your criminal case, there may be some things your defense attorney can do to improve the situation.

DWI in North Carolina: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

Published on: August 3, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers callers’ questions during a 30-minute radio interview with the Legal Forum. Recorded in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

Driving while impaired, DWI is a severe offense in North Carolina and elsewhere. If you are found guilty of DWI charges, you could face severe penalties, including jail time, fines, education, community service, and more. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a new campaign targeting the end of summer. The new initiative is called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and aims to educate drivers about the negative impact of driving while impaired.

Speeding to Elude Arrest in North Carolina

Published on: July 27, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Can I represent myself on a traffic ticket?”

The police take traffic stops and other encounters very seriously. If law enforcement attempts to pull you over, you are required by law to pull over and stop. If you fail to stop for a police officer, you could be charged with speeding to elude arrest. Speeding to elude arrest is also commonly called fleeing. A person may try to elude arrest for a variety of reasons, such as having an outstanding warrant or trying to escape from another crime. The charge of speeding to elude arrest is a serious one that can result in severe consequences if you are found guilty.

North Carolina Suspended Driver’s License

Published on: July 20, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “When can I post on Social media about my ongoing case?”

Driving a vehicle is a privilege that comes with some responsibilities. North Carolina has many driving laws that you must follow or risk getting a ticket. A moving violation is an infraction of traffic laws while you are behind the wheel. While everyone likely receives a ticket for a minor violation at some time in their lives, if you accumulate too many tickets it can result in a loss of your driver’s license. It is often beneficial to fight tickets in court. You want to make sure that you maintain a clean driving record so you keep your license.

Defending Against Assault and Battery Charges in North Carolina

Published on: July 13, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “A past conviction is keeping me from finding work. What can I do?”

Defending Against Assault and Battery Charges in North Carolina

DWI Sentencing Factors in North Carolina

Published on: July 6, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Why is it important to hire a DWI lawyer quickly after being charged with a DWI?

DWI Sentencing Factors in North Carolina

Criminal Diversion Programs

Published on: June 29, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “I was found not guilty of a charge, buy my record still shows the charge. What is going on?”

What are Criminal Diversion Programs?

How Will My Plea Impact My Criminal Case?

Published on: June 22, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Should I ever plead guilty to a charge?”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkXdKeM3anU

Facing criminal charges is one of the most daunting experiences of your life. If you have been arrested for a potentially criminal act, you may not know the options that are available to you or what to expect during the process. A criminal defense attorney is often a critical component to help you defend the charges and resolve the matter as favorably as possible. It is your legal right to enter a plea to any criminal charge, but you should do so with as much information and understanding as possible.

What are the Most Common Juvenile Crimes?

Published on: May 25, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

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?”

https://youtu.be/PJbBSmvamxI?t=1

As a parent, you work hard to protect your children throughout their lives. Unfortunately, there may come a time when your child makes a mistake, an error in judgment, or is simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. When a child under the age of 18 is charged with a crime, they are often considered a juvenile. Juvenile crimes are similar to adult crimes, but because they are committed by a minor, the consequences and penalties are different. In some cases, a juvenile might be charged as an adult, particularly when charged with a serious crime.

What Happens if the Police Do Not Read Me My Rights During an Arrest?

Published on: May 18, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Can I be arrested without evidence against me?”

Getting detained and arrested by the police can be a traumatic experience. The situation often happens rather quickly and only later do you begin to think about how the incident unfolded. While most people understand that they have constitutional rights, they often forget about them completely when they are under the stress of being detained or questioned by law enforcement. When you watch television crime shows you may notice that when someone is arrested without their rights having been read, the judge might throw the entire case out. Although this happens on fictional programs, it is not what usually occurs in real life.