The possession of child pornography, like all sex crimes, is a crime that is viewed extremely negatively in the arena of public opinion. In addition to the heavy punishments attached to the crime, there is also a very heavy stigma attached to anyone convicted of an Internet sex crime. This stigma is reinforced by registration onto the sex offender registry, a status that can last for decades.
North Carolina man accused of possessing child pornography
Federal jury convicts three for drug crimes in Charlotte
Earlier this year, Attorney General Eric Holder made a remarkable announcement: U.S. district attorneys would no longer seek mandatory sentences against first time, nonviolent offenders. Of course, the attorney general does not have the power to override our nation's drug laws; mandatory sentences still remain on the books. Instead, prosecutors were asked to pursue other charges against first time offenders, charges that did not carry a heavy mandatory sentence. In this way, people accused of minor drug crimes would no longer face years of imprisonment.
Target Bans The Box For Criminal History On Job Applications
Good news for job seekers in the Charlotte area with a criminal history - Target has decided to 'ban the box' nationally, removing the box that requests applicants to disclose any prior criminal problems on the application form. The corporation has stated that it is its goal, nationwide, to assist in the reintegration of those who have been through the criminal justice system by offering more jobs to convicted ex-offenders.
North Carolina Senate to consider stricter drunk driving laws
Over the past three decades, drunk driving laws in North Carolina have been getting progressively stricter. In the 1980's, drunk driving was not seen as a particularly serious infraction; indeed, it was relatively common and lacked the heavy social stigma it carries today. As a result, laws against drunk driving were relatively lenient and courts of the day often let offenders off with fairly light sentences.
North Carolina woman accused of embezzlement
Embezzlement is the crime of taking money from an employer or a volunteer organization and using it for one's own personal gain. Embezzlement is a relatively common white collar crime, as many people are unable to resist the temptation to use some of the money with which they have been entrusted. Often, the embezzler intends to only use a small amount of the funds to cover some sudden, unexpected expense, such as medical bills or home repairs.
Are You The Target Of A Grand Jury Investigation?
If so, you should contact an attorney. How will you know if you're a target? The most obvious indicator is the receipt of a target letter from a federal prosecutor alerting you to exactly that.
Sentencing After A Sex Offense Conviction In North Carolina
If you are facing criminal charges related to a sexually-based offense, whether you are being investigated or have already been arrested and charged, you need an experienced sex crimes defense lawyer. The penalties for sex crimes are harsh, in both the North Carolina criminal justice system and the federal system.
Advanced Supervised Release in NC - A 'Get Out Of Prison Early' Card
Not everyone will spend their full maximum sentence in a North Carolina prison. In fact, not everyone will spend their full minimum sentence behind bars. North Carolina has created an advanced supervised release program that allows those convicted of certain felony-level offenses to be released from prison before serving a full sentence.
Seven-figure bail set in Raleigh drug trafficking case
It's a fact of American law that drug cases can involve some truly incredible numbers. State and federal laws treat drug crimes very seriously, and so the punishments for them can be very severe. Even small amounts of drugs can result in double-digit prison terms, and the punishments associated with multiple charges can quickly stack up.
Manslaughter charges against Charlotte officer draw criticism
When a police officer is forced to discharge his weapon, a widespread investigation usually follows. If a person has been injured or killed, police investigators need to know exactly what happened in order to determine whether the officers was justified in his or her use of deadly force. Usually, the officer is placed on administrative leave while this often lengthy process is conducted.
When Can I Get Out Of Prison? PRS in North Carolina
Individuals convicted of a felony offense in North Carolina are sentenced according to the structured sentencing grid for both minimum and maximum penalties, taking into account any prior criminal history. North Carolina law requires that inmates serve at least 100 percent of their minimum sentence. There are certain exceptions to this - watch this blog for information on NC's Advanced Supervised Release (ASR) program.
Raleigh Police Department to set up more patrols near campus
DWI checkpoints are a standard part of the law enforcement playbook. On certain nights on certain streets, one can expect to see police officers watching carefully for errant driving. Anyone caught driving over the limit will likely suffer serious penalties, the least of which would be the suspension of one's license.
Mooresville couple accused of drug and weapon violations
America has some of the strictest drug laws in the entire world. In the last twenty years, these laws have become ever stronger, fueled by mandatory sentencing laws that can cause first-time drug offenders to spend years or decades behind bars. Tens of thousands of Americans are currently incarcerated for drug-related offenses.
Greater Discretion For Federal Judges In Sentencing
The current safety valve allows judges to sentence below mandatory minimum levels for a non-violent drug crime. Bills introduced in both the House and the Senate this year would expand the use of the safety valve beyond just drug crimes and would give relief to judges and defendants facing overly-punitive mandatory sentences.
US DOJ Takes Up Fight Against Mandatory Minimums
Earlier this year, Attorney General Eric Holder revealed a shift in policy at the Department of Justice - U.S. Attorneys would no longer be pursuing drug crimes that would trigger mandatory minimum sentences if:
Two Raleigh man charged with drug trafficking
Drug trafficking is one of the most serious drug-related offenses. Drug trafficking is often charged as a federal crime, and like many federal crimes, it is dealt with very harshly. Sentences for drug trafficking often call for several years of imprisonment, even for nonviolent offenders.
Mecklenburg County accused of dismissing half of all DWIs
When a person is accused of a DWI, often they feel as though they've already been found guilty. But the dismissal of DWI cases is not as uncommon as many people think. Often, the evidence obtained by police officers is inconclusive, or police procedure was not strictly adhered to. In some cases, the evidence falls in favor of the accused. A blood test result may come back negative for alcohol. Under such circumstances, hundreds of DWI cases are dropped every year.
Charlotte I-85 And I-77 Corridor Hotbed For Drug Trafficking Arrests
Charlotte and the surrounding communities have been designated a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) meaning that local, state and federal law enforcement agencies are targeting this area a as a hotbed for drug trafficking activity both in North Carolina and outside the state. The easy accessibility provided by the major interstate systems that connect Charlotte to Atlanta, GA; Columbia, SC; and other major cities within North Carolina itself make this a hotspot for illegal drug distribution.
