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You believed you were in danger. You acted to protect yourself. But when law enforcement arrived... you were the one placed in handcuffs. Can that really happen? Yes. A person can be arrested or charged after an altercation even when they believe they acted self-defense. This, however, does not mean that a self-defense claim has been rejected. It can simply mean that officers found enough evidence at the scene to establish probable cause for the arrest. Self-defense cases are rarely decided by a statement or one visible injury. The [...]

Being arrested is stressful, confusing, and often overwhelming. In the heat of the moment, a person may panic, ask questions, pull away, hesitate, or simply fail to understand what an officer is telling them to do. Sometimes, those split-second reactions can lead to an additional criminal charge: resisting arrest. In North Carolina, resisting arrest is often charged under the broad offense of “resisting, delaying, or obstructing a public officer.” While it’s easy to picture resisting arrest as a physical fight with police, the reality is more complex. A person [...]

Most DWI charges in North Carolina are handled in state court. A driver is pulled over by local police, a sheriff’s deputy, or a state trooper, and the case moves through the county courthouse. But in some situations, an impaired driving charge can become a federal DWI. And that can change where the case is handled, who prosecutes it, and what the defendant may be facing. For drivers in places like Jacksonville, Fayetteville, Wilmington, and other parts of southeastern North Carolina, this issue is more relevant than many people [...]

If you’ve been charged with a criminal offense, one of the first dates you’ll be given is your arraignment. For many, it can feel like just another court appearance, but missing it is a mistake that can quickly make a difficult situation much worse. Understanding what an arraignment is and why it matters can help you avoid unnecessary consequences and stay in control of your case. What Is an Arraignment? An arraignment is typically your first formal court appearance after criminal charges have been filed. It’s where the court [...]

In today’s world, a criminal case doesn’t start in the courtroom. It often starts with a digital trail: Social media posts, text messages, photos, search history, etc... One of the first things investigators and prosecutors do is gather as much information as possible about the people involved. That can include a defendant’s online presence, past conduct, and personal history. Here’s the part many people misunderstand: Just because the State finds something damaging doesn’t automatically mean a jury will hear it.. but you should never assume what you share online [...]

When 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska was killed on a Charlotte light-rail train in August 2025, the tragedy sent shockwaves through North Carolina. Lawmakers moved quickly and questioned whether existing pretrial release laws were doing enough to protect the public. The result was Iryna’s Law, which took effect December 1, 2025. The new legislation dramatically alters how the state approaches bond and pretrial release; especially in cases involving alleged violent crimes. What Is Iryna’s Law? Also known as House Bill 307, Iryna’s Law amends North Carolina’s pretrial release statutes to give [...]

When most people hear “DWI,” their mind immediately jumps to "alcohol" and for good reason. Approximately 75% of DWI arrests involve some level of blood alcohol content. But in North Carolina, you don’t have to be drunk to be charged with impaired driving. In fact, many residents are surprised to learn that legal medications, over-the-counter cold medicine, or even extreme fatigue can put them at risk. If you’ve been arrested for a DWI and weren’t drinking, you’re not alone (and you may still have options.) North Carolina DWI Laws [...]

The holiday season has a way of lowering defenses. One drink turns into two, a family argument escalates, and a quick errand becomes a rushed decision. In December, small moments have a way of turning into big legal problems. Here at the Gross Law Group, we see the same patterns play out every year. Certain charges spike around Christmas, catching otherwise law-abiding people off guard. Knowing where legal trouble tends to arise can help you stay ahead of it (and know what to do if things go wrong). Drinking, [...]

For many people, the night before Thanksgiving is a chance to relax, reunite with old friends, and unwind before the holiday. But for law enforcement across North Carolina (especially Wilmington), it’s one of the busiest nights of the entire year. Commonly referred to as “Blackout Wednesday,” the night before Thanksgiving consistently sees spikes in DWI arrests, public intoxication calls, and late-night disturbances. If you or someone you care about is heading out for a night on the town, understanding why this time is so active with trouble can make [...]