Grand Forks Criminal Law Blog

A North Dakota teacher is accused of engaging in inappropriate behavior with minor students. Charged with multiple sex crimes, she quit her job teaching middle school science. She had apparently also been the subject of misconduct allegations at school before her arrest. 

Police were first made aware of the 37-year-old teacher's behavior sometime in June 2018. An anonymous tipper claimed that the teacher had engaged in sexual behavior with an underage student. When asked about the alleged relationship, the student denied that anything occurred. However, one of his friends told investigators that the teen had discussed the incident with him. Police again asked the teen, who apparently admitted that inappropriate behavior had occurred. 

A recent single-vehicle accident led to criminal charges for a North Dakota man. The accident involved a motorcycle, and the driver was apparently the only person injured in the wreck, although one official did note that a road sign pole was damaged. Police charged the man -- who is currently in the hospital -- with drunk driving, and he will likely be placed in their custody upon discharge.

According to reports, the 42-year-old man was riding his motorcycle on I-29 shortly before the accident. At approximately 1:00 in the morning, he attempted to exit the interstate and accidentally struck a pole. He was tossed off his motorcycle and suffered injuries that required hospitalization, although the nature of those injuries were not made clear. Police did note that the man did not have a helmet.

When you have been charged with a crime, it is important to understand your situation, its implications and the potential consequences that you face. You are in a vulnerable position, and every move that you make could have a major impact on your future. This is why it is imperative that you be aware of the common mistakes criminal defendants often make and ensure that you do not fall prey to any of them.

Consider the following three missteps and be sure to act carefully as you navigate the criminal court system. These mistakes could be the difference between conviction and acquittal, so do not underestimate the importance of your actions.  

The current legal blood alcohol concentration in every state is 0.08 percent. However, various organizations want to lower the limit to 0.05 percent, and studies suggest such an action could save of lives. 

It is important to understand that alcohol affects everyone differently. You may be well below the legal limit, but still unable to operate a vehicle safely. The police may arrest you if you have a BAC of 0.04 percent because they believe you posed a danger to yourself and others. Know your limits and know what factors affect BAC.