State licensing for professionals helps protect the public from incompetent professionals and fraudulent misrepresentation of someone's skills, education or professional background. Professionals in fields ranging from nursing to accounting need to retain a license to...
What you need to know if you’re offered immunity
You’ve probably seen people on TV shows who have been involved in some type of criminal activity being offered immunity by prosecutors for providing information on “bigger fish” – those who have done far more serious things than they have. This happens frequently with...
How serious are college crimes? Do you have to worry about long-term consequences?
As a parent of a child who has just gotten into trouble with the law, you may have many questions about what will happen next. It’s realistic to expect that your child will have some immediate consequences if they are convicted of a crime. What many parents fail to...
What consequences can possession of a fake ID have for you?
As a college student in North Carolina, you purchased a fake ID online so that you could drink and purchase alcohol when you went out with friends. You hardly gave it a thought — until you got busted trying to use it to get into a campus bar. Now what? You’ve never...
What is a plea bargain?
If you’re facing criminal charges, you do need to consider all of your options. One option may be to accept or deny a plea bargain if one is offered. What does this bargain mean and why would you want to use it? Plea bargains are generally only offered when the...
Defenses to domestic violence charges
If you are like most Charlotte couples, you will have had your disagreements. Sometimes people feel trapped in a relationship they do not know how to get out of. In some cases, people conclude that the easiest way to escape their relationship is to file a false claim...
Everyone breaks the law
The common perception that most people have is that the majority of Americans follow the law and that a smaller percentage decides to break it. They assume that most of the people who break it then get caught and enter the criminal justice system. Even with the...
Why do college students drink?
Whether you have been to college or not, you know about the reputation that it has. You’ve seen teen movies, for instance, or just listened to others recount their experiences. If you’ve been there, maybe you know first-hand. Drinking is a predominant part of life for...
Can employers conduct background checks on applicants and potential employees?
Background checks are a common part of the hiring process. Are they legal?
Is marijuana possession legal in North Carolina?
Although many states have legalized or decriminalized marijuana possession, it is still illegal to possess marijuana in North Carolina. Marijuana possession in North Carolina can be a misdemeanor or felony crime. There are several factors that apply to different...
