Derek M. Gray
Attorney
Graystar Legal and McMinn & Logan are now McMinn, Logan & Gray
Any criminal offense will be labeled as either a felony or misdemeanor. While there is no such thing as a criminal charge that is not serious, a felony is considered the most serious type of charge that you can face. They are usually punished with stiffer jail sentences, and there are other impacts on your life when you are convicted of a felony. While you need a lawyer to defend every case against you, there is an extra need to have an attorney in a felony case.
We treat our clients with the dignity and respect they deserve.
All felonies are serious, but not every felony is the same. North Carolina law applies classifications to felonies, from Class A to Class I. Class A felonies are murder charges that would lead to life in prison.
Class B, C, and D felony charges would also lead to decades-long jail sentences. These offenses include:
Not every felony requires a minimum jail sentence. For example, you could be charged with a felony because you are a repeat offender for certain misdemeanors. Marijuana possession can be charged as a felony as well.
Besides jail time, there are also other penalties that a court may impose in a felony case that include:
Punishment for a felony case may include a combination of jail time and one or more things from the list above. Even if you are not sentenced to time in prison, there would still be impacts on your freedom and financial consequences.
Beyond a likely jail sentence, there are a number of other consequences for felony convictions in North Carolina that include:
In addition, a felony conviction can ruin your reputation and harm your family relationships.
North Carolina courts would consider the following when imposing a sentence for a felony conviction:
North Carolina has its own sentencing guidelines that judges consider before imposing a penalty in a criminal case.
Felony charges are extremely serious, and they are very nerve-wracking. You should never, ever try to defend felony charges on your own. The stakes are too high. Even when you have been charged with a felony, you have legal options. You can defend the charges against you or negotiate with the prosecutor for a potentially lighter sentence or reduced charges. Some prosecutors may allow you to plead down to a less serious felony charge or even a misdemeanor because they want to be guaranteed to win a conviction.
Your criminal defense would begin the moment that you contact an experienced attorney. The attorney would begin to protect your legal rights immediately, just through the fact that you have a lawyer in the first place. They could work to prevent law enforcement from trying to interrogate you without your lawyer present (if you decide to answer questions) and unreasonable search and seizures.
Then, your lawyer would learn your situation and the facts of your case, taking the time to understand you and what happened (or did not happen). They would counsel you about the potential options and outcomes in your case before you decide on a path forward. If you choose to take the case to trial, your lawyer will both respond to the prosecution’s evidence (moving to exclude any evidence that was illegally seized) and develop your own case.
If you learn that you are being investigated or have been charged with a felony, your first call should be to an experienced criminal defense attorney. Contact the lawyers at Graystar Legal today online or call us at 336-715-7250 to discuss your legal matter. Know that there is someone who can help you when it seems like there is nobody in your corner.
you may be eligible for the First Offender program. This program may help you avoid a conviction and have your charges dismissed and possibly expunged from your record.
The prosecutor’s job is to convict you. Our job is to protect your rights
In North Carolina, convicted felons cannot legally possess firearms, so you would need to turn over your weapons.
For some felonies, there is not an automatic jail sentence. Probation is an option, depending on the sentence the court imposes and what your lawyer may negotiate with a prosecutor.
Unlike most other states, North Carolina does not have a statute of limitations on a felony charge.
Plea negotiations and guilty pleas can happen any time before a verdict.
Your parental rights can be removed and you can be removed from your family if you are found guilty of certain crimes. Whether going to prison keeps you away from your children or a specific crime, you do not want to lose your ability to be a parent when you lose a court case. Let’s find better results together.
In North Carolina, your right to bear arms can be stripped for specific crimes. This makes you even more vulnerable to attack and suffering by not being able to protect yourself. If you fear you may lose your second amendment rights because you were in the wrong place at the wrong time, call now.
When you attempt to adopt a child, the state reviews your history with a criminal background check. You do not want charges to stick because you do not have good criminal defense representation, and later prohibit you from adopting a child.
If you are trying to apply for a job that requires a security clearance, you might find that a serious conviction could keep you from getting through the pre-vetting process, much less the checks necessary to get the right position.
If you are a student or considering going to school, your financial aid may become impacted by a criminal charge. Even if you are convicted of a crime after submitting some form of financial aid requests, you may lose your eligibility and even the opportunity surrounding your education.
Your career may be in danger if you are convicted of a criminal charge. Without a criminal defense attorney to help you navigate the legal system, it is quite possible that you lose your credentials and licensure based solely on your conviction. Do you drive for a living? Your DUI / DWI may paralyze your earnings. Work in the medical field? Many positions regulated by a State Board will not allow licensure due to certain convictions.
Here are the areas we serve and the criminal courts where your charges will be heard. The best thing you can do now is speak with a lawyer and get a free consultation.
Did you get arrested? Facing criminal charges? Wondering if you’ll go to jail? Afraid of what happens next? Don’t go alone.
