News
Positive Changes in NC Expunction Laws
News In a previous post, “A Clean Slate,” we discussed expunction laws in NC and some of the most common instances in which people may have the opportunity to get prior criminal charges and/or convictions expunged from their record. Since that post, the General...
Communicating Threats and their Consequences
As children, we were taught that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words cannot hurt me.” While this may be a well-known saying, the State of North Carolina does not have the same opinion when it comes to committing a criminal offense. A very common criminal...
What You Need to Know About a Commercial Driver License Suspension
News Being charged with a NC traffic violation can be as minor as getting a small fine or can be as serious as having your license suspended and possibly jail time for the most serious offenses. Most drivers have a fairly good idea about what to expect for minor...
Following the Legal Process of Property Eviction
News No matter what part of the state you live, there is a market for property owners to rent out their property. Most people rent from real estate agents and property managers, but it is not uncommon to rent a home or property from a private owner. A downside to...
An Officer Wants to Search My Car: What Do I Do?
A common question we receive at Ludlum Law Firm is, “When should I refuse consent for an officer to search my car?” The answer is “always.” The Fourth Amendment right not to be subjected to unreasonable search and seizures requires probable cause for an officer to...
Conditional Discharges & Deferred Prosecutions: What You Need to Know
News The state of North Carolina has a well-intended program that gives those who have made a mistake a second chance to keep certain misdemeanor and felony convictions off of their public record. In some instances, a defendant is allowed to be placed on probation...
A Clean Slate
News Although we may strive to be, no one is perfect and we all make mistakes. For some, those mistakes result in obtaining criminal records as teenagers and young adults. A criminal record never goes away and significantly reduces your opportunities in life. One...
What You Might Not Know about North Carolina’s Seat Belt Laws
News North Carolina’s seat belt laws have been enforced for over thirty years, but that hasn’t stopped drivers from questioning what’s legally right and wrong when it comes to seat belt use. Laws change over time and aren’t always so clear....
Receiving a Citation with a Provisional License
News For most parents, the sudden realization that their sixteen-year-old child has come of age and is now permitted by the State of North Carolina to operate a motor vehicle is scary. Once that initial fear fades, many parents find new freedom in not being needed to...
Underage Drinking and North Carolina Laws: What You Need to Know
News According to NC Statute 20-138.3, a minor (under 21 years of age) cannot legally consume, purchase, or possess alcohol in North Carolina. This law also extends to minors operating a vehicle in the state, should they consume alcohol or have any traces remaining in...