I have been charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill in North Carolina, but I did not witness the assault as it happened. The police have charged both me and the person who actually committed the assault. I have not turned myself in yet, and I have no prior assault charges on... View More

I had a guest staying in my home who, while handling a pistol, failed to clear it properly and then deliberately aimed and shot my dog, resulting in the dog's death. He showed no remorse afterwards. He was drinking beer at the time, and my spouse witnessed the incident. I believe the act was... View More

I was charged with domestic violence along with my boyfriend, who I lived with at the time. It's our first time being involved with law enforcement, but we've had domestic issues twice before that caused a temporary breakup. We are not married. Do we have the right not to testify against... View More

I am 19 years old and have known a girl since January of this year. We are friends until she turns 18, at which point I intend to start dating her. We don't live in the same area but are both within the US. Is waiting for her to turn 18 considered illegal or grooming?

My 15-year-old daughter made a fake school shooting threat last year and law enforcement took her iPhone 15 Pro in September 2024. She did not give them her password and reported the phone as lost and erased it afterward. They mentioned they had sustainable evidence against her at the time. She has... View More

I am a 16-year-old planning a weekend overnight trip with my 17-year-old girlfriend and some friends in North Carolina. Initially, my mother seemed okay with it, but my father needed convincing. I've already spent over $300 on this trip, hoping my parents would change their minds, but they... View More

I've been charged with two counts of "OBTAIN PROPERTY FALSE PRETENSE" after being scammed by my supposed employer. I received 24 months of probation to repay about $5,800 from cashed checks that were part of this scam. I have emails and texts proving my employer's role. Given... View More

I'm currently on probation due to a financial obligation. I've paid off the amount due but still have five months left on probation. The conditions only require payments and monthly check-ins, and I have complied with these by providing receipts and submitting all check-ins online.... View More

Raymond Allen Hayes II
answered on Mar 10, 2025

You can certainly hire a lawyer in your county to file for a modification of the terms of probation to either terminate (which probation officers usually want if you're otherwise in full compliance with the original judgment) or to transfer you to unsupervised probation. If the judge... View More

Why is it that in legal documents, such as civil or criminal cases, a person's name is only in all capital letters in the heading for clarity, but throughout the rest of the document, only the first initials of the names are capitalized?

My wife and I have been living separately for more than a year, and we have a separation agreement prohibiting her from coming to my home. I have a restraining order against her, though it doesn't specifically mention my boat, which is in my name. Despite notifying her multiple times,... View More

I pled guilty to attempted first-degree burglary and was given time served after 31 months. Upon release, I filed a notice of appeal and informed the court of my severe distress and lack of comprehension when I pled. Despite this, I am required to comply with post-release supervision conditions. I... View More

I had a criminal case dismissed in North Carolina 8 years ago. Will there be any documentation or records of my plea from that case, and are there any considerations I should be aware of regarding the record?

Raymond Allen Hayes II
answered on Mar 10, 2025

Given that you said after your "plea" but that it was "dismissed" I presume you got a deferred prosecution or conditional discharge in which you pled to an offense and then were on probation for a period of time and after you complied they dismissed the charge(s). If so, the... View More

I'm facing a felony serious injury by vehicle charge in North Carolina, with a plea offer of 17-30 months of active time. The incident involved a collision where the other party suffered fractured wrists. I have a personal history of falling asleep at the wheel and have previously received a... View More

I was convicted of a possession-related felony in Florida, which required me to register as a felon there. I now reside in North Carolina. Do I need to register as a felon in North Carolina, and if I don't, is it possible for Florida to violate me?

I am facing a charge of Felony Serious Injury by Vehicle in North Carolina after a car accident in which the person I crashed into fractured both of her wrists. The incident involved DUI on my part, but I don't believe the injuries warrant such a serious charge. I am not satisfied with my... View More

John D. Pritchard
answered on Mar 2, 2025

That's bizarre. Many people get court-appointed lawyers at first and then hire their own counsel once they have time to raise funds to do so. I'm not sure why any attorney who wants to make money would hesitate to talk to someone represented by a court-appointed one.

That said,... View More

I've had 5 different public defenders I feel like my representation has been compromised. And I have became concerned about the quality of my defense

John D. Pritchard
answered on Mar 2, 2025

That's a lot, but there is no firm number.

Why are they withdrawing? If it is because they discover a conflict once involved, they are doing the proper thing. Finding conflicts isn't uncommon especially if it is a complicated case with a lot of potential names/targets. You see... View More

Was originally charged with indecent liberties with a child but pled guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery in NC. Ten years is almost up to petition to come off the registry. No other priors no felonies

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James L. Arrasmith Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 9, 2025

Gun laws can be complex, and your ability to purchase a firearm, even through a private sale, depends on both federal and state regulations. Under federal law, a misdemeanor sex offense does not automatically prohibit you from buying a gun unless it falls under the Lautenberg Amendment, which... View More

Owner/Senior Partner of firm was my representative. His nephew is an attorney within that firm who is representing a male who assaulted me (female).

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James L. Arrasmith Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 21, 2025

If an attorney from a law firm has already represented you, it may create a conflict of interest for another attorney from the same firm to represent someone whose interests are directly opposed to yours, such as someone accused of assaulting you. Law firms are generally expected to maintain... View More