Carthage NC Criminal Defense Law Blog

Criminal court legal proceedings are likely in the early stages yet for two men from Biscoe who were arrested earlier this month on suspicion of drug trafficking.

Authorities in Moore County say both men, aged 27 and 28, were booked on charges and at last word were being placed on secured bond in Moor County's detention facility. Information about the next scheduled court appearances for the two individuals wasn't provided in the media reports about their arrests. At this point, all that is known is that they are held on suspicion of felony trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic cocaine, possession with intent to sell and maintaining a vehicle to keep a controlled substance.

One of the things about the justice system in North Carolina and the United States in general is that it tends to be weighted in favor of the rights of the individual.

When a person is brought up on criminal charges, that person is afforded the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Even if that person winds up being convicted of the crimes alleged, the system leaves the door open to the possibility that errors might have occurred. Given all the different players that can be involved, it's not an uncommon situation.

Whether a person is picked up for a misdemeanor criminal charge or one that is more serious, the need for assertive representation before the courts is important to achieving the best possible outcome. Remember that upon being arrested, every person has the right to remain silent and to speak to an attorney before any questioning by police. It is always best to follow that advice.

Two individuals, and possibly a third, may do well to follow the guidance above after the events of Wednesday night. Police in Southern Pines say they arrested a 16-year-old youth and a 19-year-old man in connection with what they believe to have been a robbery with a firearm. They say the alleged victim of the crime may have been at the scene to make a drug buy, but the reports we've seen don't indicate if he was taken into custody.

used by law enforcement in the course of their daily efforts in North Carolina and the rest of the country, but now they are face new restrictions as to where and when they can use the heightened senses of their hounds to aid investigations.

By virtue of a recent 5-4 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, police have been told that just because a drug-sniffing dog indicates that drugs may be in a person's home is not sufficient cause to spark a search and seizure on those premises. The decision could affect not only some drug cases, but it could also affect some that involve the use of dogs in sniffing out explosives or cadavers.