Taylorsville Violent Crime Lawyer

Taylorsville Violent Crime Attorney

Violent crimes can incur some of the highest penalties in North Carolina. These offenses can include simple assault charges as well as homicide. No matter how serious the charge is, you can equip yourself with a skilled Taylorsville violent crime lawyer. We can protect your rights in court, minimize the penalties for your charge, or even get your charge dismissed completely.

What Kind of Violent Crime Charges Do We Defend Against?

Violent crimes can stretch across a wide variety of criminal offenses. At The Law Office of Michael D. Cleaves, PLLC, we can defend against a wide range of these violent crime charges across North Carolina, including:

• Simple assault and battery
• Aggravated assault
• Domestic violence
• Assault with a deadly weapon
• Homicide
• Manslaughter

Within many of these charges are further divisions and classifications, which determine how you will be tried in court. Murder can be divided into first- and second-degree charges based on the level of deliberation and premeditation. First-degree murder occurs when the murder is premeditated through a number of means, like poisoning, starvation, torture, and violence with a deadly weapon.

Similarly, assault charges can be differentiated by the degree of harm that comes to the victim. Simple assault can include acts like shoving, slapping, or threatening another person. Aggravated assault typically involves violence that results in serious bodily harm.

Penalties for Violent Crimes in North Carolina

Violent crime charges can have lifelong effects. Even if you do not face a sentence of time in prison, having the charge on your criminal record can negatively impact your ability to do things like:

• Apply for housing. Renters who have been convicted of violent crime charges can face difficulty when applying for housing arrangements.
• Apply for jobs. Most jobs require a background check to qualify for employment. A criminal record can decrease the likelihood that you are hired, reducing your capacity to earn income.
• Maintain professional licenses. Some professional licenses can be revoked when you have a violent crime conviction on your record.

Financial penalties and jail sentences can be difficult to estimate without looking at the facts of your case. Violent crimes encompass a wide variety of charges that can be enhanced or decreased, depending on the circumstances. A seasoned criminal defense lawyer in North Carolina can figure out what penalties you might face. Then, you can work together to create a defense that maximizes your chances of success.

How Do We Defend Against Violent Crime Charges?

Like the estimation of penalties, our defenses are tailored to your specific case. Through a consultation, we can discuss the circumstances surrounding the offense and the possible defenses we can build around them. Some of the ways we can defend your case are:

• You were falsely accused. This can occur when the victim of an assault wrongfully accuses you out of malice or to ruin your reputation.
• Mistaken identity. A victim or a witness may incorrectly claim that you were the perpetrator due to confusion or lack of knowledge, even if you were not guilty of the offense.
• Establishing an alibi. An alibi is proof that you were not at the scene of the crime when it occurred, making it impossible for you to have committed it.
• Mishandling of evidence. Your charge may be invalidated if law enforcement tampered with or interfered with evidence in their possession.
• Abuses of power. Abuses of power within law enforcement, prosecution, or a jury can affect charges in an unlawful way.
• Self-defense arguments. A violent crime may be excused if it was committed in self-defense or to defend another person.

Criminal defense cases have extraordinarily high stakes. Do not risk the possibility of lengthy jail sentences and a violent criminal record. At The Law Office of Michael D. Cleaves, PLLC, we aim to deliver favorable outcomes for our clients across North Carolina with seasoned legal counsel.

FAQs

Q: What Is Considered a Violent Crime in Iredell County?

A: In North Carolina, an offense is considered a violent crime if the action harms or attempts to harm another person. Violent crimes may or may not involve the use of weapons or premeditation. Acts that are not premeditated can be charged as violent crimes and incur hefty sentences, which use fines and jail time to penalize a criminal.

Q: How Long Can I Go to Jail for a Violent Crime in NC?

A: Violent crimes in North Carolina carry a wide range of jail sentences, depending on the type of crime and the extent of the injury. Some lower-ranking felony cases can incur jail sentences that are only a few months. Another factor that can influence the amount of jail time you receive is habitual offense. Second- or third-time offenders and onward are likely to receive enhancements to their criminal charges, which can make their jail sentences longer.

Q: What Are Non-Violent Crimes in NC?

A: Non-violent crimes in North Carolina typically carry more flexible penalties due to the absence of violence. Some examples of common non-violent crimes in North Carolina are white collar crimes, many property crimes, traffic offenses, and prostitution. However, some non-violent crimes can be intertwined with acts of violence, such as a burglary in which the occupants of a house are assaulted during the offense.

Q: How Much Is a Defense Attorney in NC?

A: Costs for criminal defense attorneys in North Carolina vary by law firm. Many factors go into calculating fees, including the amount of work, research, and court appearances that are required for each case. Cases that warrant extensive research and multiple court dates generally cost more than simpler cases with only one court date.

Reliable Legal Counsel for Taylorsville Violent Crime Cases

If you are charged with a violent crime in Taylorsville, North Carolina, you do not have to combat it alone. At The Law Office of Michael D. Cleaves, PLLC, we understand that the repercussions of an unchallenged violent crime charge can be detrimental to your future. When you hire a Taylorsville violent crime lawyer, we can handle your case with the utmost care and attention. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can defend your case.