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Drug charges in North Carolina can become federal crimes when the alleged offense involves large quantities of drugs, trafficking across state lines, federal agencies, organized criminal activity, weapons, or conduct that violates federal drug laws. Federal drug cases are generally more serious than state cases and often carry harsher penalties, mandatory minimum prison sentences,…

At Marcilliat & Mills, PLLC, our experienced Raleigh criminal defense attorneys recently reviewed a memorandum issued by Attorney General Merrick Garland with important revisions to the Department of Justice (DOJ) policies on federal crimes charges, pleas, and sentencings. The revisions, which will apply to future criminal prosecutions, and in some circumstances pending criminal cases…

At Marcilliat & Mills PLLC, our skilled Raleigh criminal defense attorneys understand that the only thing more intimidating than being charged with a state crime in North Carolina is being charged with a federal crime. Our experienced team of Wake County defense lawyers knows the differences between state and federal charges are complicated — even to those who…

Capitol Police responded to a frightening call recently, when a man claimed he had gunpowder and explosives in his truck, which he had parked outside the Library of Congress on Capitol Hill. In a Facebook video, the suspect, a Grover, North Carolina man, said that he had a seven-pound keg of gunpowder and 2.5…

It’s an unusual time in history. Not only are we in the midst of one of the most divisive presidential elections in recent times; we’re also in the middle of a pandemic, the likes of which the world hasn’t seen in over a century. History took an ironic – and perhaps, some would say,…

Some people embrace a spirited political debate and others cover their ears and run for the hills when the “p-word” comes up. Two things that are certain are that most people aren’t neutral about the subject and that politics cannot be completely ignored. Gun rights, angry letters and politicizing the courtPolitics and the law…

A man that police in Raleigh, North Carolina, say raped a teenage girl has surrendered on the charges. There are three counts of taking indecent liberties with a child and six counts of statutory rape against the man. He is currently being held on a bail of $250,000. He also has another charge of being a…

North Carolina police officers may need to arrest people, but is jail or prison always the right path for offenders? It’s not always, some believe. This is borne out by the statistics, which show that certain changes made in justice reform can significantly reduce prison populations and still improve public safety. North Carolina’s state…

Hacking into a computer may be a federal crime, depending on how it’s done and why. Hacking is often seen as a malicious action, but the reality is that it can be beneficial, too. A good hacker can use their talents to show companies where their security systems are malfunctioning or weak, for example….

When a North Carolina resident is arrested for a crime, the matter could be tried in federal or state court depending on the circumstances surrounding the allegations. Although most criminal matters will be tried in state court, some will be subject to federal jurisdiction. Here are five situations in which that could be the case:…