Traffic Violations

Defending Against Hit-and-Run Charges

Published on: February 22, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Defending Against Hit-and-Run Charges

If you are involved in an accident in North Carolina, you must remain at the scene. If you leave the scene, it is considered a crime, and you could be charged with hit and run. Hit-and-run charges are serious, and you could face penalties that include jail time and more if you are convicted. If you are charged with hit-and-run, you will want to vigorously defend yourself to avoid conviction and a criminal record. A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney will help you achieve a favorable outcome in the case.

What is a Hit-and-Run?

Types of Sobriety Tests

Published on: February 1, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Types of Sobriety Tests

Law enforcement takes drunk driving very seriously. North Carolina law restricts driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. When police officers pull a vehicle over for a traffic stop, they may think that the driver is intoxicated. Field sobriety tests are the method that officers use to try to determine whether a driver is over the legal drinking limit. Tests are done with a driver to assess their level of impairment. Many people wonder what types of sobriety tests are used and whether they must comply with a request to complete them.

Standardized Field Sobriety Tests

Should I Fight a Speeding Ticket in Court?

Published on: December 7, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Should I Fight a Speeding Ticket in Court?

Speeding is a common traffic offense. One minute you are driving along, happy that traffic is light, and the next, you are being pulled over by a police vehicle with a siren and flashing lights. If you get a speeding ticket, it may be annoying. It can also have some other negative impacts on your life. While speeding doesn’t seem to be the most serious problem in the world, it can have a negative impact now and in the future. It may be very worthwhile to fight a speeding ticket or other traffic tickets in court with help from a knowledgeable defense attorney.

Benefits of a Clean Driving Record

Driving on a Suspended License

Published on: June 1, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

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

North Carolina, like other states, requires all drivers to have a valid driver’s license. To obtain a driver’s license for the first time, drivers must pass written and road tests. The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) provides you with a license to drive as a privilege. Therefore, there are some circumstances in which the state may suspend or revoke your driving privileges. If you have a suspended or revoked license it means that you did something to cause the situation. An experienced North Carolina attorney will help you resolve the problem so you can legally drive once again.

Can the Police Search My Car?

Published on: May 11, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “If I simply intend to plead guilty, why do I need a lawyer?”

You are driving along and suddenly you see flashing red lights and hear a siren behind you. You are being pulled over by the police. Even if you are not doing anything wrong, you are likely to feel panicky and scared. When law enforcement pulls you over they will come to your window and ask for your name, your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. The officer will return to the police car to check your license and will come back to your car to talk to you about the incident. In some cases, the police want to search your vehicle, but should you allow them to do so? Though you may not have anything to hide, you may not feel comfortable with the police checking the inside of your car.

Can I Get My Vehicle Back After Seizure?

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

Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Can the police search my car without a warrant?”

Your vehicle is one of the most important necessities of life. You may need a vehicle to get to school or work, to drive family to appointments, to run errands, and more. Life is certainly more difficult and complicated when you do not have a car. Although you may have worked hard to get your car, it can be taken away by the police in a vehicle seizure. When that happens, you need to act quickly in order to try to get your vehicle back. An experienced North Carolina criminal defense attorney can assist you in the process of how you may be able to get your car returned after a vehicle seizure.

Fleeing the Scene of an Accident

Published on: March 23, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

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

Rules are in place to ensure that drivers are careful on the road. The law requires drivers to have liability insurance to cover any damages and injuries that occur due to their negligence in an accident. Although most accidents are minor, some are more serious and result in severe injuries. Those who are involved in accidents are required to remain on the scene. If you leave the scene of an accident, you may face criminal charges. If you face criminal charges for fleeing the scene of an accident, you may want to consult with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Distracted Driving

Published on: January 19, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Am I allowed to videotape an interaction with police? Can they make me stop filming?”

Distracted driving is a term that has become more common in the last several years. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving causes more than a quarter of a million injuries and more than 3,000 deaths each year. States, including North Carolina, have enacted laws that ban texting while driving, one of the most common forms of distraction. If you are accused of distracted driving, you will want to consider defending the case in court. Speak with an experienced North Carolina attorney to discuss the details of your case.

What are My Rights When Stopped by Police in North Carolina?

Published on: November 17, 2021 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Can the police search my car without a warrant?”

One minute you are driving along without a care in the world and the next you are getting pulled over by the police. A police encounter can happen in an instant, so it is important to know and understand your rights. While you do not want to disobey law enforcement, you do need to know what you can and should do if you get stopped by police in North Carolina. It is helpful to remember that every situation is different and has a unique set of circumstances, so there is no simple advice that applies to every police encounter. Keep in mind that a North Carolina criminal defense attorney can assist you with every aspect of your case if you face arrest or charges.

Hit a Pedestrian When Driving? Why You Need to Stay on the Scene

Published on: June 16, 2021 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “What are the long term effects of being convicted of a crime?”

Driving a car is a fairly enjoyable activity that most of us do to save time and avoid using crowded public transportation. However, nobody has ever promised that being behind the wheel was going to be an easy or safe thing. Like everything in life, it comes with risks.