Is OxyContin illegal?
North Carolinians know all too well the toll that the opioid epidemic has taken on many parts of the country. Perhaps the drug most synonymous with this epidemic is OxyContin. This powerful and highly addictive prescription painkiller rapidly became recklessly...
How chain of custody errors could affect your criminal case
Chain of custody refers to how law enforcement officers handle items of evidence during an investigation. When the police fail to follow proper procedures when dealing with evidence, it could give rise to chain of custody errors. The possibility that the evidence...
You can’t lie to the police, but can they lie to you?
There are plenty of situations in which you cannot lie to the police. They could charge you with obstruction of justice in some cases, for instance. If they ask you to identify yourself during a traffic stop, you're legally obligated to do so. You cannot give them a...
Understanding the process of discovery in a criminal case
Do you know what discovery means in the criminal justice system? It is the pretrial disclosure of evidence and documents relevant to a specific case. Discovery procedures compel each side to share information about the facts of the alleged crime or event. Most...
Why running from the police isn’t worth it
There are few people who don’t get nervous when addressed by the police, particularly if it is clear that they are under suspicion of a criminal offense. Human reactions vary from person to person. Some may choose to cooperate in full. Others might get angry and...
3 things you shouldn’t do with your prescription medication
Just because property is in your possession does that mean that you can do whatever you want with it. Certain property is still subject to restrictions under the law. In the legal code, the government refers to prescription medications as controlled substances, which...
What are your Miranda rights?
The Constitution gives people in this country specific rights. The Fifth Amendment specifically covers protections provided that can prevent a person from incriminating themselves in a criminal matter. You may be familiar with these rights thanks to law enforcement...
What is an alibi and when can you use it in your criminal defense?
There is no doubt that facing a criminal charge can be overwhelming to say the least. As such, if you have been charged with a criminal offense, it is critical that you come up with a strong and effective defense. Depending on the nature of the crime you have been...
What are your protections under the Fifth Amendment?
When someone is suspected, questioned or arrested under the suspicion of committing a criminal offense, they have numerous fundamental rights at their disposal. Most people aren’t accustomed to being under suspicion, so these rights may not be prominent in their...
What is mistaken identity and how do I prove it?
Being accused of a criminal offense is a big deal. Depending on the nature of the crime in question, a conviction can result in years in jail, or, worse still, a death sentence. If you are accused of a crime, it is in your best interest that you figure out how to...
