Articles Posted in Criminal Defense

8Robbery Vs. Burglary: What is the Difference?

Theft is a common crime in North Carolina and across the country. Theft is the taking of property that does not belong to you. A person may be charged with theft if they are accused of stealing items from a store, taking a car, or grabbing a purse. There are various types of theft charges and depending on the severity, the charge could be either a misdemeanor or a felony. While most people use the terms “robbery” and “burglary” interchangeably, they are different crimes and one is more serious than the other. If you are charged with theft, you will want to vigorously defend the charges with help from a North Carolina criminal defense attorney.

Definition of Robbery

DetainWhat is the Difference Between Detainment and Arrest?

If you watch any of the reality police shows on television, you may notice that police sometimes place people in handcuffs rather quickly. Sometimes they tell the person that they are not being arrested, but instead are being detained. You may wonder what the difference is and when detainment turns into arrest. You will want to understand in case you find yourself in this particular situation.

What is Detainment?

FelonyWhat is the Difference Between a Misdemeanor and Felony?

When you are charged with a crime it may be classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Regardless, any criminal charges against you are serious and could result in severe consequences. Some penalties could include a prison sentence, fines, probation, community service, suspension of your driver’s license, and more, depending on the charges. There are some important differences between misdemeanor and felony charges, and you will want to speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Misdemeanors and Felonies

1What is Self Defense?

When you are faced with danger, you want to defend yourself. When you end up seriously hurting or killing the other person as a result, you might be charged with a crime. You may defend the charges with a claim of self-defense. Self-defense is an affirmative defense to a crime. In other words, you do not dispute that the situation occurred, but it happened because you were defending yourself or your property. However, you cannot claim self-defense in every situation. The law provides for the use of force under specific circumstances.

When Can You Use Force?

3Pretrial Integrity Act Now in Effect

A new law is in place in North Carolina. The Pretrial Integrity Act went into effect on October 1, 2023. The bill was initially introduced as House 813 and was signed into law by Governor Roy Cooper on July 1, 2023. The law is designed to allow judges the ability to make decisions regarding setting bonds for defendants. Proponents of the bill wanted legislation in place to ensure that dangerous criminals would be kept in jail pending their trials.

Bond in Criminal Cases

5Mecklenburg County Courts Going Digital – Delays are Expected

We all like efficiency and there is a need to bring all of our governmental processes into the digital age. With this in mind, the court system in North Carolina has been undergoing a transition to digital. The new system is designed to improve the court system with a software package of applications called eCourts. The state-wide implementation of the digital system is expected to cost about $100 million. The system will provide more online access to court activities and allow judges and clerks to complete more of their work from their computers.

Planned Transition Was Postponed

4Reckless Driving Charges in North Carolina

When you get behind the wheel of a vehicle you must follow the rules of the road. If you fail to adhere to the rules you might be pulled over and the officer may give you a traffic ticket. Most times, traffic infractions have penalties that include points against your license and fines. However, sometimes a moving violation is considered much more serious and therefore, it also has criminal penalties as well. If you are charged with reckless driving, you may need to seek legal help from a skilled criminal defense attorney in North Carolina.

What is Reckless Driving?

7-2Evidence in Criminal Cases

When you are charged with a crime, you are likely unsure of the process and what to expect in the course of your case. One of the most important aspects of your case is the evidence that will be utilized in court. Evidence includes a number of items and you will want to understand how it will impact the outcome of your case. Your attorney will handle the review of evidence and will work to defend your criminal charges every step of the way.

Discovery

5-3Do I Have to Enroll in a Treatment Program After a DWI?

Driving while impaired (DWI) is a serious charge, and if you are convicted, you will face some penalties. When you get pulled over and subsequently charged with DWI, you may feel as though your life will never be the same again. In some ways, a DWI conviction will seriously impact your life. You may have your driving privileges suspended, making it harder to get to and from work. You might face some jail time, and you will likely have to pay some fines. In addition, you may need to attend a treatment program.

What is a Treatment Program?

2-1How You Can Help Your Attorney With Your Criminal Defense

When you are charged with a crime, it is probably one of the most difficult and challenging times in your life. Regardless of whether you were charged with a misdemeanor or felony, you could be facing some serious penalties that may include a jail sentence, fines, community service, and more. If you are found guilty, you will have a criminal record that could restrict your ability to buy a home, rent an apartment, enter college, and more.

You will want to partner with an experienced criminal defense attorney to vigorously defend the charges and get the best possible outcome. While your attorney will handle the many legal issues, there are some things you can do to help make the process easier and to assist your attorney throughout your defense.

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