Right to Privacy? Not Anymore!

A person's right to privacy appears to be a thing of the past. The Charlotte Observer had an article highlighting the new DNA law that will go into effect February 1st, 2011. While, DNA evidence is an amazing tool that has exposed the wrongful convictions of hundreds throughout the country, there should be some right to privacy to your own DNA. North Carolina's new law will require police officers to obtain DNA swabs of anyone arrested, but not convicted of murder, cyber-stalking, assault, and  first and second degree burglary among other crimes.

If someone is falsely arrested for assault with the charges ultimately dismissed, the government will retain a person's DNA.  While courts have upheld DNA sampling of those convicted of certain crimes, state courts have held that the police need a warrant to obtain sampling for those who have been arrested, but not convicted of a crime. This law will most certainly be litigated.

This law affects the daily practice of any criminal attorney. However,  I'm sure many would agree with me that privacy in a person's day to day life seems also to be obsolete. I recently had an appointment at a doctors office. Prior to my appointment I received a five page questionnaire asking for information, including my social security number, my place of birth, work address, home address, occupation, spouse's occupation, the number of children, etc. I was annoyed when they requested the same information for my emergency contact person. I didn't fill out much of this information- on one piece of paper they would have my social security number, my DOB and place of birth.


When I arrived at the appointment the employee asked me to repeat the last 4 digits of my social security number- they had that in their computer system without me giving it to them. Then a request for my drivers license which was promptly inserted into a scanning machine with my insurance card. It appeared I was applying for a job at the state department, not visiting the doctor. So, it made me feel much better to wake up this morning to read the article in the Observer about the Charlotte psychologist whose son left 23 boxes of confidential records at a Charlotte recycling facility. Right to Privacy? Not anymore!

Resisting And Obstructing A Police Officer- A Common Charge

Let me start by saying this- a police officer's job is very dangerous. I never underestimate that. It is well known that the two most dangerous calls for a police officer are domestic disputes and car stops. When I was a District Attorney, I can't tell you how many times a police officer told me "Thank God I had a back up officer that night". However, at times there are police officers that request the same charges be filed against individuals- resist, obstruct or delaying a police officer. It reminds me of the school teacher who consistently had behavior problems with the students in their class every year.

My client was found not guilty at trial of resisting and obstructing a police officer in Mecklenburg County District Court this week. The police officer in my case was actually involved in another case that day involving the same charges- resisting and obstructing. The judge found the defendant not guilty in that case also. Both cases involved passengers in vehicles. The police officer was also the back up officer in both cases. Two independent cases with the same charges; two not guilty verdicts. The alleged resist and obstruct in my case related to my client not placing his right hand in the handcuffs. However, my client had already placed his left hand in the handcuffs and was just trying to put a pack of cigarettes in his right hand back in his pocket.

Bottom line, you can be accused of a crime when you were doing something completely innocent. Here is the latest police video making rounds on YouTube- assault on a police officer by blowing bubbles! Watch the female officer next to the male officer- she looks totally embarrassed by the police officers actions.

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