Criminal Defense

August 2, 2025

North Carolina Concealed Carry Law: Status of 2025 Legislation

North Carolina’s concealed carry law may be on the verge of a historic change. Presently, you must still have a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun. On July 29, 2025, the North Carolina Senate voted to override Governor Stein’s veto of Senate Bill 50, known as the “Freedom to Carry NC” act. In order for the law to go into effect, the NC House must also vote to override the veto by a three-fifths majority.

Until both chambers of the NC General Assembly vote to override the Governor’s veto, the existing concealed carry permit requirement remains in full force. As the law now stands, anyone who carries a concealed handgun in North Carolina without a valid permit or legal authority, is still subject to criminal prosecution.

If you are facing criminal charges, are under investigation in the Charlotte metro region, including Mecklenburg and Union County, and want more information about carrying a concealed weapon charges, contact Powers Law Firm for experienced, confidential guidance. TEXT or call now: 704-342-4357

July 30, 2025

Remembering Fergie: A Giant Among Us

by Carolina Attorneys

I’d already had a rough day when I got the text from my wife sharing Fergie passed.

“Dang,” was the only thing I could respond.

I was without words.

July 23, 2025

Can the alleged victim drop the charges?

by Carolina Attorneys

One of the most common questions criminal defense lawyers hear is, “Why am I still being charged if the alleged victim wants to drop the charges?”

It’s a fair question. If the person who called the police doesn’t want to go forward, why would the court system care? In North Carolina criminal court, the decision to prosecute does not belong to the victim.

Whether you’ve been charged with assault on a female, communicating threats, damage to property, affray, or a violation of a Domestic Violence Protective Order (DVPO), the State, not the complaining witness, decides whether the case moves forward or to drop charges.

July 16, 2025

Legal But Unfair: Why some people go to jail and others don’t

by Carolina Attorneys

Criminal defendants expect the legal system to deliver fairness. Our courts are designed to deliver legal compliance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, our state constitution, and the US Constitution, not necessarily fair results or what some facing criminal charges might believe is just or true “justice.”

A prosecutor can legally offer a favorable plea to one defendant while demanding jail time for another charged with a very similar offense. Absent obvious discrimination based on protected characteristics or clear constitutional violations, prosecutorial discretion is substantial.

Judges can sentence different defendants to vastly different outcomes based on judicial and sentencing philosophy, the timing of the case, or simply how the Court (the Judge) interprets the factual recitation. They, too, possess substantial discretion in entering a judgment and sentencing someone to jail or prison.

July 4, 2025

Happy 4th of July North Carolina!

by Carolina Attorneys

The 4th of July in North Carolina is a time for celebration. Families gather for cookouts, fireworks, and long weekends on the water. It is a tradition built around freedom, but every year it brings a familiar pattern to courtrooms across the state.

Fireworks tickets, alcohol-related charges involving underage possession, drunk driving, and boating accidents rise sharply in the days surrounding the 4th of July. Some of these cases involve honest mistakes. Others involve serious consequences.

Understanding what is legal and what is not in North Carolina can help prevent celebrations from turning into criminal investigations, arrests, or life-changing accidents.

July 2, 2025

Why Justice Takes Time

by Carolina Attorneys

There’s a persistent myth about criminal justice that criminal charges are straightforward, guilt is obvious, and if everyone simply did their job efficiently, cases would resolve in days rather than months or even years.

This illusion persists until someone finds themselves or a loved one on the receiving end of criminal charges or arrested for DWI.

Justice moves slowly by design. That isn’t dysfunction.

June 25, 2025

I have grey hair for a reason

by Carolina Attorneys

They didn’t show up all at once. A little around the temples after a run of back-to-back felony trials. A little more after a long, sleepless night waiting for a jury to come back on a case that could have gone either way. Years of courtroom advocacy and life as a lawyer will do that. So will running a firm.

Grey hair isn’t a metaphor. It’s evidence. It’s what happens when you practice law long enough to be responsible not just for your own caseload, but for other lawyers in the firm, other families, and the next generation trying to learn how to do this work the right way.

Lawyering isn’t the job they described to you in Law School

June 21, 2025

How Much Does a Criminal Lawyer Cost in NC?

by Carolina Attorneys

How much does a criminal lawyer cost in NC? That is one of the first and most important questions people ask when they are facing charges. The answer depends on several factors, including the type of charge, whether it is a misdemeanor or felony, how complex the case is, and how long it is expected to last.

This post explains how many criminal defense lawyers in North Carolina ordinarily set fees, what types of billing structures are common, and what is typically included and not included in those legal fees. Our goal is to give you a clear understanding of what to expect and how the process works.

While there is no statewide fee chart, a lot of private attorneys charge flat fees tailored to the specifics of your case.

June 18, 2025

Understanding Miranda Rights | When Police Must Read Them And When They Don’t

by Carolina Attorneys

One of the most common misconceptions in criminal cases is the belief that charges will automatically be dismissed if police fail to read Miranda rights. That belief, often shaped by television and popular culture, rarely reflects how Miranda operates under North Carolina criminal law.

Miranda rights are an important constitutional protection, but they apply only in specific circumstances. Understanding when Miranda warnings are required, and when they are not, can materially affect how a criminal case unfolds.

If you’ve been charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle in Mooresville or felony death by vehicle in the Charlotte metro region, it’s a good idea to consult an experienced North Carolina criminal defense lawyer. The criminal defense legal team at Powers Law Firm understands the intricacies of vehicular homicide cases and may be available to serve as legal counsel and guide you through your legal options. Call or TEXT 704-342-4357 to schedule a confidential consultation.

June 14, 2025

North Carolina’s Influence on the Fourth Amendment and the Bill of Rights

by Carolina Attorneys

The Debate Over Ratification and the Demand for a Bill of Rights

In the aftermath of the 1787 Constitutional Convention, the proposed United States Constitution went to the states for approval. North Carolina emerged as a critical battleground in this ratification debate. Many North Carolinians were divided between Federalists, who supported the new Constitution as written, and Anti-Federalists, who feared it granted too much unchecked power to a central government.

The absence of a clear list of guaranteed individual rights in the federal Constitution became a focal point. North Carolina’s citizens had fresh memories of British abuses of power before and during the Revolutionary era. They worried that without explicit protections, such as safeguards against arbitrary searches and seizures or other infringements, a new federal government might oppress the people just as past tyrannies had. This concern for fundamental liberties set the stage for North Carolina’s insistence on a Bill of Rights.