Grand Forks Criminal Law Blog

DUI checkpoints are a popular tool used by police in North Dakota to catch drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. However, not everyone likes these checkpoints, and legislation to potentially get rid of them recently made it the state's House of Representatives for consideration. The bill was defeated, meaning that police officers can still use these checkpoints to try and catch those allegedly drunk driving.

House Bill 1442 sought to completely outlaw these DUI checkpoints. The bill clearly stated that rather than forcing all passing drivers to stop, police would have to have a "reasonable suspicion" to initiate a traffic stop. The main sponsor of the bill apparently feels that not only do DUI checkpoints force otherwise innocent drivers to be subjected to unwarranted stops, but that they are also largely ineffective.

With spring officially here, boat owners know that sunshine and milder temperatures lead to pleasant excursions on the water.

If you are among those who look forward to taking friends and family boating, keep the risks of BUI firmly in mind. Boating under the influence of alcohol can be dangerous—and costly.

Despite coming every year, tax season is still a stressful time for most people in North Dakota. This time of year can be doubly stressful for those who are accused of committing tax evasion. Some individuals might not even be certain of why they were charged, while others may feel more focused on planning their criminal defense.

Tax evasion charges are typically not filed against those who simply made errors when filing their taxes. After all, taxes are extremely complicated and the Internal Revenue Service is not exactly known for being helpful. This is perhaps why an entire profession exists around the process of filing. Instead, officials usually only file charges when they allege that an individual purposely attempted to underpay his or her taxes.

North Dakota parents and authorities usually expect teachers to uphold a certain level of conduct and professionalism with their students. Any suspected violation of these standards can lead to serious criminal consequences for those involved. A high school math teacher recently resigned her position after she was arrested for allegedly engaging in sex crimes with a student.

The 24-year-old former teacher was arrested on Jan. 22, 2019, after which she submitted her resignation. The arrest came only days after authorities were alerted to a potential inappropriate relationship between the math teacher and a 17-year-old male student. The student had allegedly been overheard telling someone that his math teacher could face serious consequences because she had sent him inappropriate pictures.