Greensboro Felony Lawyers
Our well-known, twenty-five-year-old Law Firm of Schlosser & Pritchett excels in handling all types of criminal defense matters in North Carolina’s state and federal courts, including a wide range of both felony and misdemeanor offense cases.
Under North Carolina criminal law, there are two main categories of offenses: misdemeanors and felonies. These are very general categories, and the severity of offenses contained within them can vary considerably.
Generally, North Carolina misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in jail (not prison) and fines.
Though not as serious as a felony, any misdemeanor conviction can result in possible jail time and significant fines and will appear on a criminal background check.
North Carolina felonies are punishable by more than one year in prison and the classification of a convicted felon.
If you are accused of a felony, you will need a North Carolina felony lawyer with experience to help minimize your sentence and potentially expunge your record. Because our Greensboro criminal defense attorneys are excellent former District Attorneys, they deeply understand the courthouse, the judges, clerks and the prosecutors. They know the elements that the state needs to prove in order to convict an individual, the proper defenses, and the pitfalls that seem to be present every step of the way for both the State and the client.
Types of North Carolina Felonies
- Drug Crimes (like possession of cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a car or house for the possession or distribution of drugs, possession with intent to sell drugs, and drug trafficking)
- Violent crimes (first-degree murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, manslaughter)
- Domestic violence
- Multiple DUIs
- Weapons crimes (weapons trafficking, possession of an illegal firearm)
- Sex crimes (first-degree rape, prostitution, marital rape, statutory rape)
- White collar crimes
Potential Consequences of a North Carolina Felony
There is no such thing as a “typical” sentence for North Carolina felonies. Each case depends on the charge’s seriousness and the accused’s criminal record. Sentences vary from fines and unsupervised probation to years of prison time. Felony charges are categorized in classes, with a Class A Felony as the most serious, down to a Class J felony which is the least serious.
At Schlosser & Pritchard, our North Carolina team of attorneys sits down with our clients and immediately discusses possible consequences. It is important that you know what punishment you could be facing in your particular criminal case.
Have you been convicted of a felony before? There are strict laws that punish repeat offenders. For instance, North Carolina has a habitual felon law (three strikes) which increases the punishment for someone’s fourth (or more) felony conviction. North Carolina also has a less common violent habitual felon law, which imposes a life sentence for a second violent felony.
Generally, the consequences for a felony versus a misdemeanor are harsher, resulting in the loss of certain citizenship rights, including the right to vote and the right to hold public office. These rights can be restored once a prison sentence ends or probation is successfully completed. In addition, a person who is a convicted felon may never possess a firearm or ammunition for a firearm ever again. If the person does, the person is liable for up to 10 years in federal prison for possessing something as simple as a shotgun shell.
Schlosser & Pritchett – Experienced Greensboro Felony Lawyers
Hiring a knowledgeable North Carolina criminal lawyer can increase your chances of receiving a lighter sentence or potentially proving your innocence. For instance, if the State does not have sufficient evidence to prove that you committed a felony, you may receive a dismissal or a reduced charge. Similarly, suppose the State violated your civil rights during the investigation or prosecution of your case. In that case, a judge may suppress certain evidence in your case, meaning that the State cannot use the evidence against you at trial.
A felony is extremely serious, and you don’t want to enter either District or Superior Court unprepared. Let the Greensboro felony lawyers at Schlosser & Pritchett mount a criminal defense that gives you the best chance of a successful outcome.
Call 336.292.4076 or use the convenient online form at the right of the page to submit your information, and we will contact you promptly.