Asheville, North Carolina, Criminal Defense Blog

Sometimes, a person can end up in trouble simply by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Unfortunately, friends and associations may draw the attention of law enforcement, and those who are in the vicinity may find themselves facing criminal charges. Two North Carolina women may be regretting their recent visit to the home of a man who was the target of an ongoing police investigation.

Police say their investigation led them to the home of a 63-year-old man who had a record of felony convictions. Reports do not indicate if police had a warrant when they entered the man's home, but once inside, they executed a search. Officers claim to have recovered cocaine, drug paraphernalia and a firearm. The possession of a firearm by a convicted felon may result in severe penalties if the man is convicted, especially since police believe the man intended to distribute the drugs.

The threat of arrest may cause people to do unexpected things. This may be because they already have convictions on their records or they simply fear what may happen next. The possibility of a drunk driving charge may be especially concerning for a North Carolina driver, and one woman may be facing an uncertain future following a recent arrest.

The 26-year-old woman was pulled over by state police for allegedly speeding just after 2 a.m. The trooper who approached her car reported smelling alcohol on the woman. He also claimed that the woman's eyes were red and that she had an open container of alcohol with her in the vehicle. The officer said that the woman became physically resistant when he attempted to arrest her, pushing him, assaulting him and attempting to run away.

If you are ever pulled over for suspected drunk driving, you may be asked to perform a few tests in order for the officer to check for impairment. These are field sobriety tests and they are standard procedure in North Carolina and elsewhere. While that may be so, are they accurate?

You always hear about how inaccurate Breathalyzers tests may be, but what about the other sobriety tests? While they serve a purpose, experts agree that they may not be 100 percent accurate. In fact, they are very subjective in nature because they depend on the administering officer's opinion and understanding of the test.

Alcohol has different attractions for different people. For many teens, however, there is often a sense of rebellion or the need to fit in with other teens who are drinking. As a person nears 21, the legal age to drink in North Carolina and other states, he or she may feel that 19 or 20 is close enough to get away with consuming alcohol. However, the state's zero tolerance laws may prove that to be a bad decision.

In North Carolina, those who are younger than 21 may not consume alcohol. In fact, it is a misdemeanor offense that may result in fines, community service, court costs and potentially jail time, if convicted. The consequences can be even more severe if an underage drinker drives after consuming alcohol.

Without question, drug crimes are the scourge of many neighborhoods. Residents who suspect their neighbors are involved in manufacturing or selling drugs are often justified in their concern. However, those accused of committing these crimes have rights that deserve to be protected. A North Carolina couple recently found themselves in the crosshairs of multiple law enforcement agencies after police allegedly received tips from neighbors.

Police say they had received numerous complaints over the past six months about drug activity in their neighborhood. The complaints centered around a particular residence that became the focus of a multi-agency investigation. Apparently, officers began watching the residence. Police conducted a traffic stop when a car left the home recently, which included a search of the vehicle. Reports indicate that police found illegal contraband, including meth pipes, and they placed the 35-year-old woman driving the vehicle under arrest.

In the wake of the many shootings on school properties and other gathering places, it is natural for people to take precautionary measures if they suspect someone has a weapon. In fact, it is against the law in some states, including North Carolina, to carry a concealed weapon on a college campus. While the debate about gun control may never be settled, one man recently discovered that authorities take weapons laws seriously.

A 21-year-old GED student was recently arrested after another student allegedly saw him in a stairwell with a gun. A little after 10 a.m., the other student informed police that an armed man was on campus. Authorities shut down the college for about 45 minutes while police investigated. Reports say that initially, the GED student hid the gun to avoid getting caught. However, police soon located the gun and reported that it was loaded and stolen.