Criminal law

A criminal record can be a significant barrier to life's opportunities. But in North Carolina, some individuals may have the chance to leave their past behind through expungement. Expungement is the legal process of removing a criminal charge or conviction from a...

Not all crimes involve violence or direct victims. Some are more subtle and involve violating basic laws, such as paying taxes. All residents of the state must pay income tax by law. Attempting to evade taxes is a white-collar crime, and North Carolina has a robust...

By relying on generous donations and pledges for support, charitable and religious organizations are built on trust and goodwill. However, these organizations are also vulnerable to financial exploitation. Just because a group is a nonprofit where trust is key doesn’t...

In North Carolina, firing a gun at any property – such as a building, vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, or any other enclosed structure – is a crime. It’s reckless behavior that endangers the lives of those inside the structure, and a conviction for the offense leads to...

A conviction for sex offenses can result in incarceration and hefty fines. However, there is also the possibility of registering as a sex offender after serving a prison sentence. This involves having your information and offenses accessible to the public. If avoiding...

All partnership businesses involve the participation of two or more people to run an enterprise and share its profits. The main advantage of a partnership is that all partners can combine their resources to help grow the business – something a sole proprietorship...

A criminal record can haunt you for the rest of your life, costing you jobs, educational opportunities and damaging your reputation. This may seem like an unfair consequence, especially if your crime was non-violent in nature or you committed it when you were young...

Most day-to-day transactions and purchases involve the collection of personal information. This practice could be typical to expedite payments but might put individuals at risk if their details fall into the wrong hands. If consumers willingly provide their...

As a resident of this country, you have certain rights under the U.S. Constitution, including the Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures. But, what exactly is “reasonable” under the eyes of the law when it comes to warrantless searches of...

Getting arrested on a drug distribution charge is a serious event. At the least, you could face hefty fines and community restrictions. At worst, you could lose years of your life to a prison sentence. Entrapment does occur, but it can be notoriously challenging to...