Charlotte traffic ticket

Should I Fight a Speeding Ticket in Court?

Published on: June 26, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Should I Fight a Speeding Ticket in Court?

Almost everyone receives a speeding warning or ticket at some time in their lives. A speeding ticket is not necessarily a big deal, but in some cases, it can have a lasting impact. Generally, you have the option to simply send in a payment for the ticket or request a hearing. If you pay the ticket, you are admitting guilt, and therefore, you will be assessed a number of points on your driver’s license. If you wish to fight a speeding ticket, it is often helpful to seek guidance from an experienced defense attorney.

What are Points and Why Do They Matter?

What are the Consequences of a Felony Conviction in North Carolina?

Published on: June 19, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What are the Consequences of a Felony Conviction in North Carolina?

A felony conviction will result in a variety of punishments that may include a jail sentence, fines, probation, and community service, among other things. Besides the legal consequences involved, a person convicted of a felony will also suffer consequences that can impact your life for years to come. A felony conviction might cause you difficulties in your ability to get employment, in your education, and even in your personal relationships.

Loss of Some Civil Rights

Is Honking Your Horn Legal in North Carolina?

Published on: May 1, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Is Honking Your Horn Legal in North Carolina?

Every vehicle has a built-in horn located on the steering wheel. The horn is needed for emergency situations, but sometimes, honking the horn can cause a problem. With the increase in road rage incidents across the country, it has been noted that using a horn can provoke or incite anger and violence. Some states have made it illegal to honk your horn more than once.

The Law Requires a Working Horn

What is the Pretrial Integrity Act?

Published on: February 21, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What is the Pretrial Integrity Act?

After you are arrested, you will go before a judge. When you are in court, you will learn the charges against you, and the judge will typically set bond. Bond means that the defendant will be allowed to stay out of jail but must appear in court for their upcoming case or will forfeit the bail they provided. There are also often some conditions for remaining out of jail. Recently, the Pretrial Integrity Act went into effect, which changes how bond is set for some types of criminal charges.

Pretrial Integrity Act

Habitual Felons in North Carolina

Published on: February 14, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Habitual Felons in North Carolina

Felonies are usually serious charges that can result in severe penalties if convicted. The penalties are designed to deter people from committing crimes in the future. Sometimes, a convicted felon commits another crime. Most states have laws in place that require stiffer penalties when someone has previously been convicted of a felony. These laws are often called “three-strike” laws and pertain to people who have two prior felony convictions. These people are known as habitual felons.

What is a Habitual Felon?

Speeding Violations in North Carolina

Published on: February 7, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Speeding Violations in North Carolina

Most people have received a ticket for speeding at some point in time. Speeding is one of the most common traffic offenses. If you receive a ticket for speeding, you may wonder what it means to your driving record and whether the offense is considered criminal in nature. You may want to consult with a criminal defense attorney to determine the best course of action and what you can do to fight the charges.

A speeding violation can be more than just an inconvenience. If you are found guilty of speeding you will assess points on your driving record. You will also be required to pay a fine. Sometimes, your car insurance rates will go up because of speeding or other violations. Depending on the circumstances, you could have your driver’s license suspended. In addition, some speeding violations are more serious and if guilty, you will face criminal penalties such as a jail sentence, community service, and more.

What Should I Do After an Arrest?

Published on: January 31, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What Should I Do After an Arrest?

If you were arrested for a crime, you may be worried and afraid, especially if this is your first arrest. The legal system can seem daunting, and you may feel completely alone and terrified. You do not want to do anything that could damage your case and cause you further harm. Yet, you want to try to help your case and hopefully get yourself out of hot water. If you have been arrested or detained, you will want to seek guidance from an experienced criminal defense attorney to help you through the process and protect your rights.

Listen to Law Enforcement

New Legislation Requires In-Vehicle Breathalyzers by 2026

Published on: January 10, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

New Legislation Requires In-Vehicle Breathalyzers by 2026

Impaired driving is an ongoing problem in every state. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately a million drunk driving arrests in the United States every year. The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in North Carolina is 0.08%. If the police suspect you are driving while impaired, they may ask you to perform some field sobriety tests as well as take part in a breathalyzer test. If you are over the limit, you will likely be facing DWI charges in North Carolina.

What are Breathalyzer Tests?

New License Plate Reader Program Takes Effect in 2024

Published on: January 3, 2024 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

New License Plate Reader Program Takes Effect in 2024

More and more police departments are using automated license plate readers to assist them with law enforcement. There has been controversy surrounding the use of these devices and concern about what law enforcement does with the data. In Charlotte, for instance, the law requires police to purge data after 18 months. In Raleigh, police have to purge data after six months, as long as it is not being used as part of an investigation. A new law in effect allows for the addition of more license plate readers in 2024.

What are Automated License Plate Readers?

What is the Juvenile Diversion Program?

Published on: December 13, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

What is the Juvenile Diversion Program?

Just about every child has taken something that doesn’t belong to them. Whether it was a candy bar or something more valuable, theft is a crime that is punishable by law. Theft is likely the most common crime that children commit. When a child under the age of 18 commits a crime, he or she could be charged and, if convicted, could serve a sentence. However, parents need to know that there is a juvenile diversion program that may be available to youngsters as an alternative to criminal conviction.

What is the Juvenile Diversion Program?