Wake County Defense Resources

  1. How Filing Auto Claims Could Lead to Insurance Fraud Charges

    According to the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI), around 10% of insurance claims submitted involve a bit of fraud. Because the costs associated with these types of claims can be high, the agency’s sworn officers thoroughly investigate the cases, and these matters are harshly prosecuted.

    Read more
  2. Can Social Media Be Used Against Me in Court?

    Whether it’s sharing our daily activities and viewing special occasions experienced by friends and family or keeping up with current events and watching entertaining viral videos, social media has become a significant part of our everyday lives. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn keep the world more connected than ever before and provide […]

    Read more
  3. What Is the Exclusionary Rule?

    The Exclusionary Rule If you were charged with a crime and your case goes to trial, the exclusionary rule prevents any illegally obtained evidence from being presented in court. It was established as a way to deter law enforcement officers from conducting illegal searches of a person’s property and to ensure a defendant’s rights are […]

    Read more
  4. Consequences of a Conviction: Beyond Incarceration and Fines

    Being convicted of a crime can carry serious penalties. For example, a person who is found guilty of selling a Schedule I or II controlled substance will be convicted of a Class G felony, which is punishable by up to 51 months in prison and up to $25,000 in fines. After the individual is released […]

    Read more
  5. I Was Charged with Assualt at a Sporting Event. What Are My Options?

    People get hurt during athletic contests. Sometimes, they get hurt badly. At that point, the injury may have some implications beyond the playing field. League supervisors want to prove that the game is safe, and they may look for someone to blame.

    Read more
  6. If I Failed the DWI Breath Test, Am I Automatically Guilty?

    At trials and hearings, Wake County prosecutors use police Breathalyzer techs to authenticate the breath test results. These techs try to dazzle the jury with talk of fuel cells and electrochemical conversions. But these technicians never say that today’s Breathalyzer, with all its bells and whistles, is basically a miniaturized version of the 1950s Drunk-O-Meter.

    Read more
  7. I Was Arrested for DWI. Do I Have to Tell My Boss?

    Any arrest, especially for Driving While Intoxicated, has severe consequences. For example, North Carolina is an implied consent state. So, the DMV may suspend a drivers’ license in the event of an arrest, if the driver either fails a chemical test or refuses to provide a sample.

    Read more
  8. Are Ignition Interlock Devices Mandatory in an NC DWI?

    Colloquially known as “blow and go,” an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) is a portable Breathalyzer which is attached to the vehicle’s ignition. Drivers must provide acceptable chemical samples to start the car or keep it running. A failure or refusal disables the ignition. These devices are mandatory after both DWI arrests and convictions, in some cases. Raleigh DWI attorneys usually cannot fight this particular requirement.

    Read more
  9. Trey Fitzhugh & Bill Finn Placed Among the State’s Legal Elite

    Business North Carolina magazine recently released its 2019 Legal Elite listing. Editors look at things like results obtained, community reputation, and peer recommendation to compile this list. So, it is a great honor for Bill Finn and Trey Fitzhugh to be listed among with their esteemed colleagues. Over the years, this list has developed into the standard against which all others are measured.

    Read more
  10. Some Visual Evidence Officers Use to Spot Drunk Drivers

    To pull over motorists, officers must generally have reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. Essentially, this standard is an evidence-based hunch. In DWI situations, reasonable suspicion is a two-tier inquiry. First, officers must detect criminal activity with regard to vehicle operation. Second, officers must have evidence of substance use, so they can properly conduct DWI investigations.

    Read more