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When parents think about a child being kidnapped, they often think of a stranger in a van luring the child in to take them away. In reality, child abductions by strangers are extremely rare. Unfortunately, most child abductions or kidnappings involve someone the child may know, including a child'...

Phones and phone records are increasingly subject to search warrants when the police suspect an individual is involved in criminal activity. Unfortunately, the law has not kept up with the technology and it is unclear how much leeway the police have to search an individual's cloud services inform...

Kids often look forward to holidays and school breaks as a chance to go on vacation, spend more time with friends, and get away from school for a little while. However, for parents sharing custody, these times may be a challenge when having to put the child on a plane to the other parent, cut sho...

After an arrest for drunk driving in North Carolina, the police or state troopers will generally ask for a breath or blood sample. The driver may be wary of giving a breath test because the test results can be inaccurate and it may show the driver was over the legal limit. Alternatively, the driv...

Under North Carolina law, if the court finds that an act of domestic violence has occurred, the court can issue a protective order. A protective order may require the defendant to turn over all firearms and ammunition to the sheriff, including permits to purchase or carry concealed firearms. Fail...

A divorce is a stressful event, especially when children are involved. Some people turn to alcohol to deal with the stress of a divorce or child custody dispute, which may lead to a drunk driving arrest in North Carolina. Even if it was a one-time mistake, a DWI or other drug or alcohol offense c...

Many divorces and separations involve accusations of infidelity. A spouse may have been carrying on a secret affair for years or be caught in trying to meet up with others. This secretive behavior can also extend to finances. When a spouse is carrying on an affair, they may be hiding money to cov...

If you are going through a divorce in North Carolina, it is important to understand how social media could impact your case. Social media posts are commonly used in divorce cases, especially those that involve contentious child custody matters. Here are a few things to keep in mind. Pause Before...

Recently, DNA testing submitted to private crime labs has been used to solve cases by the FBI and state agencies. In some cases, DNA submitted by relatives that you did not consent to testing by the government has even been used to investigate and solve crimes. Cold Cases and DNA Testing Many c...

If you have been requested to go to a police station to speak to police about a criminal matter, it is important never to speak police without a lawyer. Just because you have been voluntarily asked to appear at a police station and answer questions does not mean that you are required to do so, b...

If you have recently been divorced, you likely still have adjustments to make in your life. You may have become used to a certain routine with your ex-spouse, and now that has all changed. Now you need to figure out how to move on and adjust. You may be contemplating what to do months or even ye...

If you are going through a divorce, you may have considered how your property will be divided when the divorce is finalized. You should also consider what you want to happen to your estate in the future and who will make decisions for you if you become incapacitated. If you are going through a di...

The United States Supreme Court has granted certiorari to review whether or not a warrantless blood draw from an unconscious person is a violation of the Fourth Amendment. The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures.  Police must obtain a warrant to ...

The New York Police Department wants an application called Waze to stop sharing information about police sobriety checkpoints with drivers. In response, Waze claims that the app is designed to show information about general police presence, not sobriety checkpoints specifically. What is the Waze...

A recent study from Florida State University indicates that divorce has less of a long-term impact than previously thought. The study is one of the first to look at the long-term impact of divorce on children through adulthood rather than the immediate impact and how it affects their adolescence....

You come home from work and find a package on your doorstep. Then you realize that it isnt addressed to you. Its addressed to your neighbor down the street, and it was delivered to your house by mistake. What do you do? Can you keep a mis-delivered holiday package? In North Carolina, the answe...

One of the most important resolutions you can make today is to refrain from texting while driving. Drivers who text while operating a motor vehicle are significantly more likely to be involved in a seri...

While many people enjoy spending holidays with family and friends, the increased car travel and consumption of alcohol make the roadways especially precarious. This means your chances of being involved in a car accident increases during this time of year. North Carolina Car Accident Statistics ...

Memorial Day, the unofficial start to summer, is only a few days away. Traveling during the Memorial Day weekend requires patience. Even so, it is crucial to remember to stay safe on the roads. With so many drivers in a rush simultaneously, there is an increased likelihood of accidents or vehicle...

There was a recent robbery in Mecklenburg County involving an arcade and an attempted murder. On May 2nd, robbers entered Buster's Arcade along U.S. Highway 29, armed with an AR-15 and a handgun. The two proceeded into the arcade while threatening patrons with gunfire if they did not listen to th...

Charges restricting a parent's access to his or her child is a life-changing event. When this occurs, anger and sadness are just a few emotions that can occur. Restrictions usually follow if a parent has committed some crime. There are, however, ways to protect yourself in cases where your rights...

We all know that driving under the influence of alcohol is against the law in North Carolina. We also know that getting behind the wheel after consuming or using illegal drugs is also prohibited under state law. What you may not know, however, is that it can be illegal to operate a motor vehicle ...

When an accident claims the life of a victim in North Carolina, the family may have legal options available to recover damages. Wrongful death claims allow the victim's estate to recover monetary damages from the person responsible for the fatal crash...

Getting a speeding ticket can ruin your day. In most cases, a ticket can result in substantial fines, points on your driving record, and an increase in insurance premiums. If you have multiple traffic violations, you may even face the temporary loss of your drivers license. What if you disagree ...