Straightforward, Diligent Representation You Can Count On
Call Today For A Free Consultation
Brent D. Ratchford
LATEST ARTICLES BY: Brent D. Ratchford
The consequences of breaking and entering in North Carolina
There are consequences to breaking and entering into a building in North Carolina. Some individuals will face felony charges while others will face misdemeanor charges for this type of crime. Several factors determine what type of…
As courthouse restrictions ease, is your DWI case part of the backlog?
Among the many ways that the pandemic affected life in Gaston County and across North Carolina is putting the criminal justice system into a virtual freeze. While police were still arresting people, trial dates for lower-level…
Does burglary always involve theft?
Images associated with burglary often involve someone illegally entering a North Carolina home and then exiting with stolen items. While many burglary incidents involve theft, they reflect two separate crimes. Therefore, burglary could occur even when…
What are your rights during a traffic stop?
If you see flashing lights in your rear mirror, there is a good chance that you’ll need to pull to the side of the road. During a traffic stop, you are obligated to provide the North…
Insider trading could produce civil or criminal penalties
The average citizen in North Carolina likely has a negative view of the term insider trading. The truth of the matter is much more nuanced. The financial regulatory system actually acknowledges that legal forms of insider…
When is self-defense justifiable?
Under North Carolina law, people can claim self-defense when charged with assaulting someone. Unfortunately, not everyone understands the legal definition of self-defense. Sometimes, people commit assaults and then claim self-defense. Beating someone up because you think…
Internet crime rate soars and leads white-collar offenses
White-collar crimes, including internet scams and fraud, continue to plague residents of Georgia. The stark reality is that internet crime experienced a sharp increase recently. Sharp rise in internet crimes in 2020 White-collar crimes associated with…
From bad to worst: North Carolina’s six levels of DWI
Regular readers of our Gaston County criminal defense blog undoubtedly know that North Carolina has some of the toughest DWI laws in the nation. But few people are familiar with all six of our state’s DWI…
What is a ponzi scheme?
If you’re like many other adults in North Carolina, you might want to start planning your financial future. One way to do this is by investing your money into the stock market. Unfortunately, certain people wanting…
Could you be committing credit card fraud unwittingly?
Credit card fraud is on the rise in Gaston County, North Carolina. This white-collar crime often consists of a perpetrator stealing others’ credit cards and using them without permission or breaching computer systems to take credit…
Copyright © 2025 The Law Firm of Brent D. Ratchford. All rights reserved Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy
Digital Marketing By 