millerboycott.com

A spokesperson for the North Carolina Division of Alcohol Law Enforcement says that after the party is over, an alleged underage drinker may not be free from being charged later for an alleged alcohol offense. The ALE special agent made the statement as officials announced charges brought after an alleged Johnston County, North Carolina party last month. A 21-year-old was charged for allegedly buying 60 beers that were given to underage drinkers.

ALE officials say that an 18-year-old high school student was killed in a crash involving a driver who had allegedly attended the party. Police charged the 17-year-old accused of driving a truck that rolled over February 16 with felony death by vehicle, DWI and underage DUI after the wreck.

Thursday, ALE officials announced charges against the 21-year-old and a 16-year-old who is accused of hosting the underage drinking party. Police opened a probe into the party after the car accident, searching for names of other alleged attendees at the party.

Based upon that investigation, ALE agents say that about a dozen people will be facing underage alcohol charges. Some of the teens are also accused of possessing marijuana at the party. The special agent said in announcing the charges that, “Kids should know that even though the police don’t show up at the party they can still be charged.”

Underage drinking charges in North Carolina can bring long-lasting consequences for a person convicted of the charges. For anyone over the age of 16, charges are filed in adult court. Signing a ticket and paying a fine to get it over with, or otherwise simply pleading guilty to a charge, creates a criminal record. For high school kids, that means background checks for future jobs, college, joining the military, or other life events may turn up a criminal record.

Source: The Smithfield Herald, “12 people face alcohol-related charges after wreck that killed a Johnston County teen,” Thomasi McDonald, March 6, 2013

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

Four students from North Carolina State have been booted from the soccer team after being arrested at a Raleigh, North Carolina sports bar. Police were called to the establishment around 1:45 a.m. October 14 to investigate an alleged altercation at the bar. Four students from N.C. State had been escorted outside. Authorities say that one of the student athletes had been in some kind of altercation with another individual.

The four soccer players were ultimately charged with resisting, delaying or obstructing arrest. Two of the students are also accused of underage drinking. The two others were each given an additional charge. One is accused of simple affray– while the other faces disorderly conduct allegations. Police claim that a fake ID was involved, but it is not clear if anyone was charged with a fake ID offense. A report from WRAL-TV indicates that the establishment was not cited.

Many students may not understand that North Carolina law prohibits fake IDS. In fact, mere possession of a fake ID can bring legal troubles for a person in North Carolina.

An employee at the bar told Technician Online, the N.C. State University paper, that no one should have been arrested. The police, and possibly the university, see it a different way apparently. The four students not only face charges for the alleged incident, but the four players have been kicked of the team. The school has also banned all N.C. State student athletes from entering the bar, regardless of the age of the student athlete.

While the school imposed sanctions against the students and added the administrative ban, the students also face charges in criminal court. The North Carolina justice system includes a wide variety of constitutional rights, including the right to due process and the right to present a defense in criminal court.

Sources:

• WRAL, “Four NC State soccer players dismissed after arrests,” Erin Summers, Oct. 18, 2012
• Technician Online, “Can athletics ban athletes from DTSB?,” Jonathan Stout, Oct. 18, 2012

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

A 21-year-old Havelock, North Carolina, man was booked into the Pitt County Detention Center early Saturday on a string of allegations. Greenville Police claim that the man, who reportedly is a Cherry Point Marine, had an altercation with his girlfriend around 2:45 Saturday morning on Stancil Drive.

Police accuse the man of driving while impaired, hit and run with injury and a variety of assault charges after an alleged domestic disturbance in Greenville, North Carolina. News reports provide a few of the allegations against the man, but the details about the alleged events remain sketchy.

Police assert that the man’s girlfriend says that the Lance Corporal fought with her in Greenville and matters grew worse. The woman says that the Marine left after the dispute. As he was leaving, the 26-year-old woman claims that her boyfriend drove his car over her legs.

Witnesses to the alleged dispute say that the young man assaulted them when they tried to step in to stop the alleged dispute.

Greenville Police say that the woman was taken to Vidant Medical Center with leg injuries. Media reports do not indicate the woman’s condition at the hospital.

Police reportedly found the Havelock man sitting in his car in a parking lot. He was arrested on DWI and hit and run charges. Police also accuse the man of assault with a deadly weapon, assault on a female and two additional counts of simple assault. Sources say that the man was held in jail on a ,000 secured bond.

Sources:

• The Greenville Reflector, “Man arrested after assault with car,” Sep. 17, 2012
• WITN News, “Marine Accused Of Running Over Friend With Car In Greenville,” Sep. 17, 2012

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

A 51-year-old resident of Faith, North Carolina was arrested in Salisbury, North Carolina, Sunday on suspicion of driving while impaired. The North Carolina Highway Patrol says that the man accused of DWI was driving a moped when a passenger on the bike fell off.

Troopers say the driver of the moped stopped briefly at the scene. However, law enforcement accused the alleged moped driver of fleeing the scene of the accident after gathering a few items from the accident scene. Troopers apparently base their suspicions from witness statements.

The witnesses say that a passenger fell off the moped around 6:00 Sunday evening as the driver was negotiating a turn in Salisbury. The witnesses claim that the driver stopped, and later fled the scene. Troopers say that the witnesses provided a description of the person who was driving the moped at the time of the accident.

Investigators located a man that troopers claim matches the witness’s description. The man was found down the road from the scene of the accident. Law enforcement claims that the man was hiding behind a tree.

The man who witnesses say was a passenger on the moped was taken to Rowan Regional Medical Center with undisclosed injuries.

The Faith, North Carolina man is now accused of drunk driving on a moped and fleeing the scene of an accident.

North Carolina DWI laws are applied broadly in terms of the vehicles used in public places in the state. This blog has previously reported a DWI arrest involving a moped. This blog has also covered stories related to DWI charges involving bicycles, golf carts and more.

It is important when accused of driving while impaired to consider speaking with a seasoned Pitt County DWI defense lawyer for a review of the allegations and to learn what defenses may be available in specific circumstances.

Source: Salisbury Post, “Police: Drink driver hid behind tree after accident,” July 23, 2012

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

North Carolina law enforcement says that mother threw a party for her daughter and up to 400 other people June 30. The daughter is 19-years-old. The young woman reportedly had applied for a block party permit, but had been denied. Authorities say that the 48-year-old woman then held a huge party that including guests under the age of 18. The woman is now accused of alcohol and drug offenses. Neighbors say that the woman did not throw the party, but only allowed her daughter to have the event.

Police say that they knew about the party, due to the application for a permit. Authorities in Winston-Salem had denied the permit due to the time of day (10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.). Law enforcement visited the neighborhood at some point to check on traffic flow. Authorities claim that they spoke to the mother, and warned her about potential underage drinking violations.

Law enforcement claims that a neighbor called in a complaint about alleged marijuana use at the party. Officers reportedly returned to the neighborhood after the complaint, which reportedly came in just after midnight. Police say that beer cans, bottles and other items were strewn about the yard of the home of the mother. Police claim that an underage person was found at the party who was in need of medical assistance.

Police requested to search the woman’s home, but she reportedly asserted her right to be free from unreasonable government intrusion. Authorities later obtained a search warrant, and claim that evidence of underage drinking and illegal drug use was found inside the residence.

The woman has been charged with a variety of underage alcohol offenses and drug charges, including possession of marijuana, and maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of violating drug crime laws. She was booked into jail on ,000 bond.

The daughter faces charges for allegedly aiding and abetting underage alcohol offenses and for underage drinking.

Thirteen people who allegedly attended the party have been charged with underage drinking offenses. One person faces North Carolina DWI charges. The additional people face drug charges in the aftermath of the party.

Source: WMFY-TV, “Police: Winston-Salem Mom Provided Drugs, Alcohol At Party For Minors,” July 2, 2012

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

Facing charges for driving while impaired in North Carolina can be frustrating at any age. The state treats DWI offenses harshly, and charges can very easily impact a driver’s privilege to drive. People under the age of 21 generally can face a different standard when it comes to alcohol consumption and driving a motor vehicle in North Carolina.

The state has a zero tolerance policy toward underage drinking and driving. That means that any measurable amount of alcohol may serve to support underage DUI charges under North Carolina law. However, the state can also pursue full DWI charges against an underage driver based upon an alcohol test reading of 0.08 percent or greater. Recently, an underage driver has arrested for her second DWI at the age of 18-year-sold.

Deputies in Davidson County claim that an 18-year-old driver was seen crossing over the center line while driving around 2:00 a.m. Sunday. The deputies pulled over the teenager, and a check of her driver’s license reportedly revealed that the license had been suspended after a previous DWI offense.

The young woman not only faces new North Carolina DWI charges, but was also arrested on suspicion of driving with a suspended or revoked provisional license, having an open container, under possession of alcohol and driving left of center. The teenager was hauled to the police station and later released into the custody of her stepmother after the most recent North Carolina DWI arrest.

A report from WFMY News does not indicate what the teenager’s blood alcohol level allegedly might have been on the night of the DWI arrest. It is also not clear if the arrest involved allegations of DWI or underage drinking and driving.

Source: WFMY News 2, “18 Year-Old Gets 2nd DWI, Charged With Other Traffic Violations,” June 25, 2012

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

A 20-year-old Greenville, North Carolina man was recently arrested at his home on a string of serious criminal charges. Law enforcement claims that an incident at a convenience store sparked an investigation that led to the man’s home.

A Greenville Police officer claims the young man attempted to buy beer at the Greenville convenience using a fake ID. Authorities claim that the store clerk refused to sell the beer, because the clerk believed that the date of birth on the license had been altered. Apparently, law enforcement believes an argument broke out over the alleged fake ID.

Police say the young man left the convenience store and a Greenville officer claims to have followed the man home. Law enforcement says that marijuana was sitting in plain sight inside the young man’s home during the arrest. Police further assert that lights and equipment that police believe are associated with an alleged marijuana grow were seen inside the residence.

Law enforcement took the young man into custody at his home, according to WNCT News. The young man was booked into jail and held on ,000 bond earlier this month on suspicion of possession of stolen property, resisting, delaying and obstructing an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana charges.

Generally, North Carolina law makes the alleged possession of a fake ID a crime. Under the tough North Carolina laws aimed at controlling underage drinking, a person does not necessarily have to attempt to use a fake ID to purchase alcohol to face criminal fake ID charges.

It is important for teens and young adults to consider speaking with an experienced Pitt County criminal defense lawyer when facing any level of charge in North Carolina for a review of the facts and top protect his or her rights in court.

Source: WNCT, “Greenville man faces multiple charges after trying to use fake ID to buy beer,” May 8, 2012

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

A young woman who gained notoriety in 2009 when she auditioned for American Idol wearing a bikini is making news. Sources say the former American Idol contestant was taking her mother to the hospital early Friday morning when she was allegedly in a car accident. The possibly delay from the crash was not the end of the story–police later arrested the singer on suspicion of drunk driving.

The car accident occurred after the woman ran a red light shortly after midnight while en route to the hospital, according to police. Authorities claim the young woman tried to flee the scene, but an officer was close to the accident scene, and pulled over the former Idol contestant.

The officer says that he could smell alcohol and requested the singer to perform field sobriety tests. Officials claim that she performed poorly and was arrested for DUI. The arresting officer says that the young woman cried as she was placed under arrest. The mother of the accused, who was injured after a fall at her home, sat in the car. An ambulance later took the mother to the hospital to be treated for the injuries she sustained at home.

Authorities say that the so-called “American Idol bikini girl” later blew 0.15 and 0.17 in a breath test. She was charged with DUI under California’s law, which, like North Carolina, presumes impairment at a 0.08 percent BAC reading.

Source: Ace Showbiz, “‘American Idol’ Season 8′s Bikini Girl Tried to Flee Before DUI Arrest,” Mar. 31, 2012

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

Police have arrested a North Carolina man on a long string of criminal charges after a car chase that allegedly began in North Wilkesboro and ended in Hays. The allegations arose from an alleged seat belt violation. The North Carolina Highway Patrol says the 20-year-old was driving while impaired on allegations that he was under the influence of marijuana and cocaine at the time of the chase.

Law enforcement asserts that the man was traveling with his 39-year-old mother, and she has been charged with aiding and abetting DWI and aiding and abetting her son in driving while revoked.

In addition to the DWI charges, the 20-year-old man is accused of underage DWI, as he remains under the age of 21 and police say that he was driving at a time when his provisional license was revoked. The young man, however, is facing other very serious charges in relation to the alleged 40-minute police chase.

Law enforcement accuses the Mulberry man of felony level charges, including speeding to elude arrest, and felony drug possession and weapons charges. A string of alleged traffic violations have also been tacked on to the list of allegations.

The alleged incident reportedly arose when a North Carolina Trooper says he noticed a driver operating a vehicle without a seat belt in North Wilkesboro. The Trooper says that he made a U-turn and the alleged unbelted driver committed some minor traffic violations.

The Trooper claims that he jumped to the conclusion that the driver must have been impaired and the Trooper activated his lights and sirens to make a traffic stop. Apparently that’s when the Trooper claims the chase was on.

The Mulberry man has reportedly been released from the Wilkes County Jail after posting a ,000 bond.

Source: Wilkes Journal-Patriot, “Numerous charges filed after high-speed chase Wednesday,” April 6, 2012

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

North Carolina law has many provisions aimed at controlling underage drinking in the state. Pitt county criminal defense attorneys know that alcohol offenses can be brought against parents of teens in certain situations. Chapel Hill and Carrboro recently set up a tip line designed specifically to seek information about allegations of underage drinking.

Three people were recently charged with alcohol offenses due to an alleged tip offered through that tip line. Someone reportedly anonymously into the tip line to report an alleged underage drinking party late last month during the early morning hours. Officers responded to the Chapel Hill home and claim that two adults were inside, but the officers were not allowed to enter the residence.

Nonetheless, police claim that a number of teens were inside. Law enforcement claims that the teens were drinking. As a result of the allegations, a 57-year-old man and his 42-year-old wife have each been charged with three counts of aiding and abetting underage drinking. The couple’s 17-year-old daughter has also been charged. The young woman faces a charge of underage consumption.

The leader of the Coalition for Alcohol and Drug Free Teenagers in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, who previously presided as superior court judge, recently told NBC 17 News that, despite efforts to control underage drinking in North Carolina, “It’s very unusual when you have law enforcement make that intervention to actually charge a family.”

The case apparently arose after the police visited the home on January 29, but news reports are rather sketchy in regard to what evidence law enforcement obtained to support their conclusion that teens were present, and drinking, within the home. Law enforcement was reportedly denied entry into the home.

Greenville criminal defense lawyers know that individuals are given certain guarantees under the Constitution against unreasonable government intrusion. For instance, the warrant requirement of the Fourth Amendment generally protects people in their home from unreasonable police searches.

Source: NBC 17, “Chapel Hill parents charged in connection with teen drinking party,” Annette Newell, Feb. 23, 2012

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm