Derek M. Gray
Attorney
A criminal charge for a misdemeanor may not seem as serious because it is not a felony, but you should not dismiss the possible consequences of a conviction.
We treat our clients with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Anybody facing misdemeanor charges in Winston-Salem or a surrounding area of North Carolina will want to seek the help of a skilled Winston-Salem misdemeanor lawyer.
Misdemeanors come in four classes in North Carolina, and prior conviction levels are also taken into account by district courts in the state. Misdemeanors can also have varying levels of punishment.
Misdemeanor alleged offenses in North Carolina include:
Class 3 Misdemeanors:
Class 3 Misdemeanors or Class 2 Misdemeanors:
Class 2 Misdemeanors:
Class 1 Misdemeanors:
Class A1 Misdemeanors:
An alleged offender will face three types of possible penalties for a misdemeanor conviction:
Sentences in North Carolina are also based on prior conviction levels, with the three levels being:
After a judge reviews an alleged offender’s prior convictions, sentences can include:
While imprisonment and fines are the consequences most people focus on, there are other consequences to misdemeanor convictions in North Carolina. Lawful permanent residents (LPRs) or “green card holders” can see negative impacts on immigration status, while United States citizens may still have to deal with the loss of a professional license, possible termination of child custody rights, and forfeiture of their gun rights.
Misdemeanors can involve mitigating or aggravating factors that might impact the possible punishment a court imposes. Aggravated and mitigated sentences are established under North Carolina General Statute § § 15A-1340.16, and mitigating factors include:
Aggravating factors include:
In North Carolina, the district court hears criminal cases involving misdemeanors and infractions. For Winston-Salem, the district courthouse is the Forsyth County Courthouse, located at:
200 N Main St.
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 779-6300
Forsyth County is District 22, but other nearby courts include:
District 22b Davidson County District Court Thomasville
22 Randolph Street
Thomasville, NC 27360
(336) 474-3185
District 18 Guilford County District Court High Point
505 East Green Drive
High Point, NC 27262
(336) 801-5252
Are you facing misdemeanor criminal charges in Winston-Salem or a surrounding area of North Carolina? You will want to make sure you speak to Graystar Legal attorney about possible legal representation before you head to court.
Our firm knows how confusing and stressful even a misdemeanor offense can be for people not familiar with the court process, so we can be by your side the entire time you are dealing with your criminal charges. You can contact us online to schedule a free consultation that will allow us to review your case and answer all of your legal questions.
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
Expungement for a misdemeanor is possible only if the district attorney or court dismisses the case or a judge or jury finds you not guilty.
Hire a babysitter if you have children and plan to be at court for about three hours. A courtroom can be very crowded, and it can be a while before a judge hears your case. Make sure to appropriately dress because you can be asked to leave if you dress inappropriately. When you have an attorney, talk to them in advance. Know the courtroom for your case before court starts, which you can sort out by calling the Clerk of Court’s office. Bring all of the papers regarding your case to court with you as well as a pencil or pen to take notes. You may also want to be sure you have money ready for costs and fines.
You can enter one of three pleas. Not guilty will mean you deny the charges against you, and you want a trial. A guilty plea means you accept the charges and whatever punishment the court will impose. Finally, nolo contendere is the Latin phrase for “I do not wish to contend,” meaning no contest, and while you are not pleading guilty, you accept the sentence you will receive as though you were guilty.
Plea negotiations and guilty pleas can happen any time before a verdict.
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.