Year: 2016
While the possession and use of marijuana is illegal in North Carolina, there are currently moves being considered to begin the legalization process. One of the primary arguments posed by opponents is that marijuana is a “gateway drug” that ultimately leads to the use of harder and more dangerous drugs…
Family can be a fluid concept. Parents may get separated or divorced, and children can be shuffled around between different sets of parents. Some parents can remarry and children can find themselves brought into a new family with a stepparent. A child may not initially feel comfortable with the idea of…
In a campaign full of twists and turns, even this was something unexpected: When leaked footage emerged of Donald Trump speaking with Access Hollywood’s host, Billy Bush, the whole world stopped to watch and listen. In a statement reacting to the release, Trump characterized the talk of the time as…
Alimony is often a hotly disputed issue when spouses separate. It is based on the idea that a supporting spouse owes a duty to a dependent spouse to maintain the standard of living during the marriage even after the marriage is over. Originally this meant husbands would have to continue to support…
Ignition interlock devices (IID) have become a booming business. Since IIDs first came into use in the 1980s, some type of ignition interlock legislation has been passed in all 50 states. Many states now mandate the use of an IID for the first conviction. The trend is to extend the use…
On the surface, the issue seems to be a simple one. Police believe there is reason to suspect that an individual is in the possession of a small amount of marijuana and act within the confines of current laws. If any weed is found, the person could be arrested or…
Spouses tend to accumulate a lot of stuff during a marriage as anyone with a garage full of junk and a closetful of old clothing and various knickknacks can attest. What happens to all this stuff then when spouses separate? As a Raleigh Divorce Attorney, I’m glad you asked. North Carolina…
While divorce is rarely a pleasant experience, there are steps couples can take to simplify the issues typically experienced during and after divorce. One of the biggest hurdles couples generally encounter is child custody. That’s why it’s important to look for examples of couples who’ve decided to terminate the marriage…
Earlier this year, the global battle against illegal substances took yet another unexpected turn. An alarming and unprecedented surge in overdoses resulted in a full-scale investigation ultimately leading agents to a synthetic opioid developed roughly 40 years ago as a tranquilizer for large animals, like elephants. Known as carfentanil, this…
In a 2014 article entitled, Body of Evidence Supports Body Cameras for Police, I discussed the need for widespread use of body cameras and video footage evidence. According to Chief Cassandra Deck-Brown, the police department in Raleigh is ready to build stronger connections between law enforcement and the public. By making…
