At a DWI stop, should I consent to a search?

by | Apr 14, 2014 | Criminal Defense

If an officer asks you if he or she can search your vehicle your answer should always be no.  An officer may ask you at any time if they can search you or any of your other property including vehicles but they key is that you have the right to say no.  Even if you do...

Reasons for a Traffic Stop

by | Apr 10, 2014 | Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI

If you have ever been pulled over by police while driving you may ask yourself why you were pulled over?  Sometimes you may know the reason such as you know your registration is expired or you know you were speeding, but other times it may not be so obvious.  In order...

North Carolina Sentencing and DWI

by | Apr 9, 2014 | Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI

In North Carolina if someone is convicted of DWI there are six levels of sentencing that s/he could be placed in. The most severe punishment is at an Aggravated Level One and the least severe is a Level Five. The judge will hold a sentencing hearing after a conviction...

Traffic Stop for Lack of Signaling

by | Apr 7, 2014 | Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI

In North Carolina under G.S. 20-154(a) a driver “before starting, stopping or turning from a direct line shall first see that such movement can be made safely…and whenever the operation of any other vehicle may be affected by such movement, shall give a signal as...

Minimum Basis to Justify a Traffic Stop

by | Mar 19, 2014 | Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI

As long as a police officer has reasonable suspicion to believe a crime is being committed her or she may stop a vehicle in North Carolina.  The exact circumstances that amount to reasonable suspicion can sometimes be gray area.  In North Carolina the case law is...