Bolivia Criminal Defense Blog

Some defenses focus on minimizing the penalties you'll face

On behalf of Sullivan Law posted in criminal defense on Friday, October 12, 2018.

We recently discussed how many factors can impact the sentence you face when you are convicted of a crime. One of the ways that you might be able to minimize the penalties you have to live with is through your defense. There are times when we know that a conviction is likely. Instead of focusing only on showing that you aren't guilty in these cases, we can focus on trying to minimize your sentence.

When we work with you on your defense, we will look at all the factors in the case that might impact the outcome. Once we do this and discuss them with you, we can work on finding the options for your defense that might be possible. You can then decide on a strategy that you want to use based on how each one might impact you.

Many factors are considered during criminal sentencing

On behalf of Sullivan Law posted in criminal defense on Thursday, September 27, 2018.

Once a person goes through a criminal justice trial, they will learn the outcome of the case. If this is guilty, the person will move on to the sentencing phase. This isn't always easy to gauge. There are many factors that come into the picture when it is time to hand down the penalties after a conviction.

A person's criminal history is a primary consideration when they are being sentenced. This can help the judge to determine whether the current charge needs to be handled under subsequent conviction laws. In some cases, the penalties for convictions after a primary one are much harsher.

Moving violations can impact your income and other areas of life

On behalf of Sullivan Law posted in traffic tickets on Thursday, September 13, 2018.

Some individuals don't understand how they might be impacted by traffic tickets. Some tickets are worse than others when it comes to the impact they have. When you have a ticket, one of the primary concerns that come with these tickets is the monetary outcome of the incident.

There is a chance that any traffic ticket may cause your vehicle insurance to rise. This means that you will be paying more over time for the same coverage you had before the ticket. On top of the increase in insurance costs, you will have to pay the fine. We know that there are a lot of things going through your mind when you are dealing with moving violations.

Impaired driving doesn't always involve alcohol

On behalf of Sullivan Law posted in dui defense on Thursday, August 30, 2018.

Many people falsely believe that alcohol is the only substance that can lead to an impaired driving charge. It is possible for a driver to face this type of charge if they are impaired by other substances, including street drugs, over-the-counter medicines and prescription medications.

The key factor in all of these cases it that the substance reduced your ability to drive safely. You have to be able to pay attention to the road and react appropriately to hazards and obstacles. When anything slows down your reaction time or takes away your ability to concentrate, you might face criminal charges.

How much will a speeding ticket cost me in North Carolina?

On behalf of Sullivan Law on Monday, August 20, 2018.

A fun family outing can turn to a headache quickly if you are pulled over for a speeding ticket. It is an added expense you probably did not budget for when planning your road trip.

For those who are unfamiliar with North Carolina traffic laws, the first question that likely comes to mind is “How much is this going to cost me?” The answer is not a simple price tag – speeding tickets can lead to long-term consequences.

Plea deals have specific points to consider for both sides

On behalf of Sullivan Law posted in criminal defense on Friday, August 17, 2018.

Many criminal cases are resolved with a plea bargain. This is a tool that enables the defendant and the prosecutor to work together to get the case resolved. In most cases, the prosecutor will only work directly with the defense attorney.

There are specific points that both sides of the criminal case must consider if one of these deals is going to work. One of the most important is to realize that you are going to have to plead either guilty or no contest to the charges. This is made in open court, so it will be on your record.

A DWI accusation could keep you from driving

On behalf of Sullivan Law posted in dui defense on Wednesday, August 1, 2018.

Being accused of DWI here in North Carolina could lead to a person losing many things. This includes his or her main way of getting around. Driving could be taken off the table as a transportation option.

For one, there is an immediate license consequence for drivers who are pulled over and arrested for DWI and test above the legal limit here in North Carolina. Specifically, this triggers a 30-day administrative suspension of one’s drivers license. Now, drivers can have options in the face of such a suspension. This can include options related to pursuing a limited driving privilege for part of the suspension period.

How to know if you can clear your criminal record

On behalf of Sullivan Law on Wednesday, July 25, 2018.

Part of life is making mistakes and then learning from these mistakes. If one of your mistakes involved getting arrested and possibly convicted of a crime, that mistake can follow you for a long time. A criminal charge remains on your record, whether or not you were found guilty. Whenever you apply for a job, a loan or anything else that requires a background check, your charge or conviction will likely show up. Even though you learned from your mistake, a potential employer may only see a warning sign flashing in black and white.

However, you may not have to go through life missing important opportunities. In North Carolina, many people who have faced criminal charges or even convictions are eligible for an expunction.