Finding yourself on the wrong side of the law can be a frightening experience. Court proceedings, legal jargon, and potential penalties can all feel overwhelming. One of the first questions that likely comes to mind is: “Can I get a public defender or court-appointed lawyer?
This blog post will clear up some of the things you need to know about court-appointed attorneys in North Carolina, including eligibility requirements, the appointment process, and the potential costs involved.
Modified Transcript of “How To Retain A Lawyer” for Hearing Impaired:
Retaining an attorney should take more than a two minute conversation on the phone.
See Judge Miller’s Administrate Order: Magistrate Videoconferencing
North Carolina General Statute NCGS 20-16.2 “Implied Consent to Chemical Analysis” sets forth some of the different protocols we follow in North Carolina in obtaining a Blood Alcohol Content BAC and/or an BrAC or “Breath Alcohol Content” and reads in relevant part:
§ 20-16.2. Implied consent to chemical analysis; mandatory revocation of license in event of refusal; right of driver to request analysis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aME2bg8obOE
It’s not unusual for clients to call, especially in cases that involve technology, cyber crimes. Sometimes you see this in sex offenses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7uNOqh5Lss
Modified Transcript for the Hearing Impaired of “Serious Felony Investigations by Law Enforcement”
When someone you love is arrested and taken to the Mecklenburg County Detention Center (Jail), one of the first questions families ask is 
simple and urgent, “Will a lawyer go see them in jail?”
The answer is yes, attorneys routinely visit clients at the jail. Defense counsel are authorized to meet with incarcerated clients during attorney visitation hours upon presentation of valid credentials. The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Department does not require defense attorneys to reserve visits through the public scheduling systems used for social visitation. Lawyers regularly appear in person to consult with detained clients without advance scheduling when jail operations and court timing allow.
But the fuller explanation is more nuanced. Whether a lawyer actually can meet with a new client in jail before a first court appearance depends far more on time and logistics than permission and the process of going to the Mecklenburg County Jail Intake facility to visit your loved one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNnwMGgi7Ds
Attorney Bill Powers is the managing partner of Powers Law Firm PA, pllc in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a regular commentator on developing legal trends, laws, court procedures, trials and pending legislation on North Carolina Law Talk. Bill is the Vice President of Communications for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and was selected by the Governor of North Carolina as a member of the Governor’s Statewide Impaired Driving Task Force. Bill Powers was named to SuperLawyers North Carolina Magazine “Top 100” in North Carolina in calendar years 2012, 2013 & 2014. For more information regarding the membership information and criterion for inclusion, please visit SuperLawyers.com.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMzfKre4Ik0
Carolina Criminal Defense & DUI Lawyer Updates