CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS IN CHARLOTTE & NORTH CAROLINA

Our process begins with listening to your side of the story so that we can pursue the best defense strategy in order to secure dismissal of charges when that avenue is available, or work to secure the best verdict or resolution warranted by your circumstances.

We will do all in our power to secure the best possible result for you so that your charges are dismissed, or, if that is not possible, your fines and sentences are minimized. We understand how much is on the line for you and that convictions can mean incredible impacts on the opportunities available to you in the workplace and in your personal life.

Generally, felonies and misdemeanors are separated by the seriousness of the crime and severity of the punishment. A misdemeanor is a less serious crime that is punishable by fines, community service, or incarceration of less than a year.

In North Carolina, the crime of trespassing involves intentionally intruding on the property of another person without his or her consent. Were you on the land for the purposes of hunting? Or were you hiking and happened to pass through? North Carolina law treats different types of trespass differently, with different requirements to prove your guilt.

North Carolina law treats any taking of the property of another as theft. The greater the value of the property taken, the greater the penalty under the law. For certain types of theft, you may only be required to pay the value of the stolen property. For others, you may face jail time.

Vandalism is deliberate damaging or defacing of the property of another. Vandalism of public property is treated differently from vandalism of private property, and can lead to up to 6 months of jail time.

Other common misdemeanors include public intoxication, disturbing the peace, simple assault or battery, and breaking into vending machines.

A felony is a serious crime punishable by more than one year of incarceration.

The legal punishment for drug violations depends on the type and amount of drugs, among other factors. For example, possession of a small amount of marijuana is a misdemeanor, but possession of more than 1.5 oz carries minimum jail time of 3 months.

The theft of any property worth more than $1,000 is a felony in North Carolina. If convicted, you may face 4 or more months of jail time.

North Carolina adheres to the original definition of burglary: breaking and entering a home with intent to steal property or commit a felony. The severity of the punishment for burglary will depend on where the burglary occurred and for what purpose.

Other common felonies include domestic violence, assault and battery, murder, sexual offenses, child abuse, and drug trafficking.

If you’ve been charged with one of these or any other criminal offense, we can help. Please contact our office to talk to one of our experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys.