north carolina law

June 18, 2025

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

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.

May 10, 2025

Strength, Sorrow, and Sentencing: What Defense Lawyers Carry Into the Courtroom

by Carolina Attorneys

Defense lawyers don’t talk about it much. Not in CLEs. Not in chambers. Not even in the back halls of the courthouse, where truth slips out in whispered voices. We talk about strategies. We dissect rulings. We joke, sometimes darkly, because it keeps the walls from closing in. The emotional cost of criminal defense, the weight we carry, the doubt we swallow, the sorrow we sit beside, is something most of us keep to ourselves.

After more than thirty years as a criminal defense lawyer, I have learned that strength and sorrow are with me when I enter the well of the bar in a North Carolina Superior Court for sentencing.

You might think that I’d be used to it.

January 23, 2017

Underage Possession Alcohol North Carolina

by Carolina Attorneys

Is it a big deal to be charged with underage possession? Well, that depends on what you think is a “big deal?” – Attorney Bill Powers

While underage possession of alcohol charges may not have resulted in an arrest, they can be rather embarrassing in the future, especially if you are applying for a job or even graduate school.

Employers generally prefer not to see anything on a Criminal History or Record; but, how someone responds when they made a mistake can actually make a difference.