Charlotte Criminal Defense Law Blog

North Carolina man indicted for cocaine, pills, marijuana

On behalf of Steven T. Meier, PLLC posted in drug charges on Wednesday, February 27, 2019.

On Feb. 18, North Carolina authorities reportedly made a major drug bust at a residence in Bayboro. The operation was set in motion after a citizen complained about alleged illegal drug activities occurring on the property.

According to the Pamlico County Sheriff's Office, deputies executed a search warrant at a home on the 1400 block of Lynch's Beach Loop Road. During the ensuing search, they allegedly uncovered an unspecified amount of cocaine, prescription pills and marijuana. They additionally uncovered 13 rifles and long-guns, six handguns and a large amount of precious metals and bullion.

North Carolina woman charged with auto insurance fraud

On behalf of Steven T. Meier, PLLC posted in white collar criminal defense on Wednesday, February 13, 2019.

A Scotland County woman was taken into custody on Feb. 5 for allegedly lying to her auto insurance company about the way her 2015 Malibu sustained damage. According to investigators with the Department of Insurance's Criminal Investigations Division, the defendant told Progressive Casualty Insurance Co. that the vehicle was damaged when a tree fell on it during a hurricane.

However, she had allegedly already reported the damage to another auto insurance company, claiming that it happened during a hit and run accident. That company issued a settlement payment to her, but she reportedly didn't use it to repair the vehicle.

Serious traffic violations and penalties in North Carolina

On behalf of Steven T. Meier, PLLC on Friday, February 8, 2019.

If you are like many drivers, you may not think getting a traffic ticket is something serious. While it is an inconvenience, you may not be afraid of the consequences. However, some traffic offenses have severe penalties, including:

Temporary license suspension
Permanent license revocation
Costly fines
Increased insurance rates
Jail time

To avoid these repercussions, it is important to understand what constitutes a serious traffic violation in North Carolina. Here are offenses you should be aware of and avoid committing.

Poor people are affected most by traffic tickets

On behalf of Steven T. Meier, PLLC posted in traffic violations on Friday, February 1, 2019.

Individuals and families in North Carolina who are struggling financially can be devastated by traffic tickets. According to research out of Princeton University, traffic fines disproportionately impact low-income people. In one study, not only were low-income areas targeted more by police for traffic violations, but those affected paid stiffer penalties than those in high-income areas. Anonymous data from credit reports showed that the average ticket cost $175, and car insurance rates typically went up by $120.

Traffic tickets have a variety of negative financial impacts for poor people not directly related to the fine itself. Typically, more bills go unpaid and accounts go into delinquency. Traffic ticket research showed that low-income people experienced a 5 percent drop in their real income as a result of tickets. Traffic violations also made it harder for people to take out loans and access credit.

DWI charges decline over holiday period

On behalf of Steven T. Meier, PLLC posted in dwi/dui charges on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

Between Dec. 14 and Jan. 2, there were 2,029 people charged with drunk driving North Carolina during the Booze It or Lose It campaign, more than 400 fewer than in the previous year's event. Authorities believe that there were a variety of reasons for the drop of nearly 20 percent. They said that ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft reduced the number of drunk drivers.

However, the latest decline is part of a trend that has seen fewer people taken into custody for DI over the past several years. Therefore, some say that it is part of an overall culture change. Authorities also alluded to a possible link between the number of checkpoints in a given area and the number of impaired drivers seen in a given area. In Wake County, 163 people were charged with drunk driving.

Brothers arrested for international fraud scheme at NC store

On behalf of Steven T. Meier, PLLC posted in white collar criminal defense on Friday, January 4, 2019.

Law enforcement authorities in Wilmington reportedly arrested two men on Dec. 18 at a Belk department store. The men, who are brothers, are accused of running an international ring that was focused on defrauding Belk stores.

According to the police, the men were stopped by a loss prevention officer who recognized them from a flyer that had been circulated internally among the stores. When the police investigated the men, they searched their rental car and found 102 Belk gift cards for $300 apiece, 94 credit cards, a card scanner and many items from Belk.

How to defend against DUI charges

On behalf of Steven T. Meier, PLLC posted in dwi/dui charges on Friday, December 21, 2018.

People who have been arrested for DUI and drug possession in North Carolina might be interested in the arrest of a popular hip hop artist in Georgia. On Dec. 10, Tyrone Griffin, Jr., was indicted by a grand jury on three counts of drug possession. Griffin, known professionally as Ty Dolla Sign, was charged with one count of cocaine possession, one felony count of THC possession and a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge. Griffin could serve up to 15 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

Griffin had been taken into custody in Atlanta along with six associates on Sept. 5 after police stopped and searched his van, reportedly finding drugs. The incident was captured on video, and several officers and drug dogs were present at the scene. Griffin was released from jail on $6,000 bond for the drug possession charges.

What are the elements of conspiracy in North Carolina?

On behalf of Steven T. Meier, PLLC on Saturday, December 15, 2018.

Perhaps you have heard of the term, "partners in crime." This is one way to describe conspiracy. Simply partnering with someone to commit a crime may be a criminal offense in North Carolina.

Here are the three elements the prosecution would have to prove to the judge or jury to convict you.

North Carolina man charged with meth production

On behalf of Steven T. Meier, PLLC posted in drug charges on Thursday, December 6, 2018.

Authorities have arrested a 57-year-old man for using his Bladen County home to manufacture methamphetamine. Media reports suggest that the White Lake Police Department began their investigation into the man's activities after receiving tips from members of the public. WLPD officers were joined by deputies from the Bladen County Sheriff's Office when the man's Highway 41 residence was visited and searched on Nov. 29.

Initial reports do not reveal what type of evidence the drug investigation unearthed, but it was apparently enough to convince a judge to issue a search warrant. During the house search, police and deputies claim to have discovered several items and substances used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. The BCSO then called experts from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to secure the premises and remove any hazardous materials.

North Carolina man charged with felony eluding after pursuit

On behalf of Steven T. Meier, PLLC posted in traffic violations on Tuesday, November 27, 2018.

A 29-year-old North Carolina man was charged with a felony and had his 2000 Chevrolet Camaro impounded after allegedly attempting to flee from police during the early morning hours of Nov. 18. The Chapel Hill resident, who was reportedly involved in a street race when police attempted to pull him over, is said to have reached speeds of up to 157 mph during a pursuit that stretched across two counties. Media reports indicate that he was released from the Wayne County Detention Center after posting a $3,000 bond.

The pursuit began when officers from the Goldsboro Police Department attempted to pull over two cars that appeared to be racing one another on the westbound lanes of U.S. Route 70 near North Spence Avenue. A GPD report reveals that several motorists had called at about 12:30 a.m. to report a group of cars being driven erratically and at extremely high speeds. Police say that the pursuit began when a black Chevrolet Camaro ignored signals to pull over and left the scene.