Asheville, North Carolina, Criminal Defense Blog

Law enforcement officers understand too well the supply chain in the illegal drug trade. While those higher up in the chain may face harsher penalties, even lesser crimes like drug possession can disrupt a person's life and eliminate many opportunities, such as obtaining jobs and funding one's education. Two men in North Carolina are right to have concerns about their futures following their recent arrests.

Police reported seeing a white vehicle parked in the median of a multi-lane highway in the early hours of a recent Thursday. Two men inside the vehicle appeared to be unconscious, according to police reports. However, when a deputy approached the car, the driver sped away. He allegedly led police on a chase that ended after officers used stop sticks. The 34-year-old driver and his 18-year-old passenger were taken into custody.

Minors consuming alcohol is a problem across the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people under the age of 21 are responsible for consuming 11 percent of all alcohol, and 90 percent of the time, they binge drink. While 10 percent of those who hold valid drivers licenses are legally under the drinking age, 14 percent of all fatal accidents in North Carolina result from underage DUIs. A recent accident has led to underage drinking charges for a young man; however, those may be only the beginning of his troubles.

The accident occurred around 9:30 p.m. one Friday when a 19-year-old driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a tree. His 17-year-old passenger suffered fatal injuries and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Another passenger was transported to the hospital in critical condition. There was a fourth passenger in the vehicle, but there is no report on his or her condition. The driver suffered only minor injuries and was treated and released from the hospital.

County police were patrolling an area of highways just after 5 p.m. one recent evening when an officer reported seeing a car traveling between 80 and 90 mph in a 55 mph zone near a highway construction area. The officer gave pursuit and was able to intercept the car. When the officer approached the car, he says he saw the driver wearing a police uniform. She was apparently a 49-year-old North Carolina State Police officer.

The driver allegedly told police she was late for an off-duty assignment in Raleigh. However, the arresting officer says she registered .09 blood alcohol content. The state limit is .08. It is unknown what prompted the arresting officer to request that the driver take a breath test.

If authorities accuse you of committing a crime involving a drug such as cocaine, you naturally may worry about what this means for your future. For instance, losing your freedom as well as losing your good reputation may concern you.

Fortunately, even though you may face a drug charge in North Carolina, Lady Justice still views you as not guilty until and unless the government can prove your charge beyond a reasonable doubt. You have the right to defend yourself vigorously when facing a cocaine charge.

It's no secret that the law struggles to keep up with technology. In fact, in many cases, laws change because individuals file lawsuits that claim their rights have been violated through the unregulated use of technology. North Carolina residents who have concerns about the way law enforcement a at the state and federal levels discover incriminating evidence through technology may be interested in a case before the U.S. Supreme Court that may affect search and seizure laws across the country.

A man in another state is accused of coordinating a string of crimes. He was convicted of numerous robberies in addition to weapons charges based on evidence investigators gathered from his cell phone records. Federal authorities obtained detailed information about the accused's whereabouts at the times the crimes occurred because cell phone technology tracked the user's location based on cell tower transmissions.

While it may not be clear what motivates people to make threats to others, often it is because they feel no one is listening. A desperate feeling may cause a person to make threats or demand attention to get the help the...