Greensboro Felony Lawyer

Greensboro Felony Attorney

A felony charge has the potential to cause serious damage to your life. Depending on the charge, a felony conviction could hurt your social standing, your employment status, your personal relationships, and ultimately, your freedom. There are multiple crimes in North Carolina that are considered felonies, and depending on your case, you could face the maximum charges. To learn more about what you can do, contact a Greensboro felony lawyer.

Felony Charges in the State

Facing felony charges is no small deal. Felony charges are reserved for crimes that are considered quite serious and warrant prison sentences or other serious penalties. If you are ever charged with a felony, the first thing you should do is seek the assistance of an experienced felony lawyer who can help you better understand the charges against you and devise a strategy to fight them. Here are some of the different classifications of felony charges in the state:

• High-level felonies. High-level felonies are considered the most serious crimes that can be committed in the state. If you are ever convicted of a high-level Class A felony in North Carolina, you are likely looking at a possible sentence of life in prison or even the death penalty in certain cases. High-level felonies are classified as Class A, B1, B2, C, or D. These crimes include:
  • First-degree murder. Class A with a penalty of life without parole or death, depending on the case at hand. If the defendant was under the age of 18 at the time of the offense, only life or life without parole may be imposed.
  • First-degree sexual assault. Class B1 with a penalty of life without parole. This includes forcible rape, statutory rape, and other forcible sexual offenses.
  • Second-degree murder. Class B2 with a maximum penalty of 484 months in prison. This type of murder charge is not premeditated, but it is intentional. Typically, it is committed on impulse.
  • Second-degree forcible rape. Class C. Second-degree rape charges come about when consent is incapable of being given due to a lack of mental capacity, among other possibilities.
  • First-degree kidnapping. Class C. A charge of first-degree kidnapping comes about when someone is taken and held against their will, was not released voluntarily by the defendant, and was possibly injured or sexually assaulted.
  • Voluntary manslaughter. Class D. Voluntary manslaughter is the act of killing someone without malice, planning, or premeditation. It occurs in the heat of the moment or in response to provocation, such as during a fight while using the imperfect right of self-defense.
• Mid-level felonies. Mid-level felonies are classified as Class E, F, and G. These are still very serious crimes, though the penalties are not as severe as high-level felonies. These crimes may include:
  • Child abuse. Child abuse is a complex crime that can be classified in many different ways depending on the case at hand. It can be considered a Class E felony when it involves: intentionally inflicting serious physical injury, committing or allowing the commission of any sexual act upon the child, or a willful act or grossly negligent omission resulting in serious bodily injury to the child.
  • Assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer. Assaulting a law enforcement officer with a firearm can be considered a Class E felony. This law also applies to probation officers, parole officers, National Guard members, and prison guards.
  • Assault with a deadly weapon. Assault with a deadly weapon can be a misdemeanor, but it becomes a Class E felony when the offender inflicts serious injury or brandishes a weapon with intent to kill.

FAQs

How Much Will a Criminal Lawyer Cost Me to Hire?

There is no telling how much a criminal lawyer may cost in North Carolina. Every criminal case is different, and the circumstances surrounding certain cases may influence the fee that your lawyer may charge you. A lawyer’s fee depends on many different things, such as your lawyer’s experience, education, popularity, caseload, network of resources, and how triable  they may think your case is. The severity of your charges will also be taken into consideration.

What Is a Class H Felony in the State?

In Greensboro, North Carolina, a Class H felony is a low-level felony that can result in a penalty of up to 39  months in prison. Class H felony crimes include white-collar crimes like embezzlement, larceny, or property crimes, habitual misdemeanor assault, possessing stolen goods, escaping from prison, and using a laser device on an aircraft. While some of these crimes may not appear serious, the penalties can be quite severe.

What Is a Felony?

A felony in North Carolina is any crime that is considered severe by state courts and results in a significant penalty, such as a lengthy prison sentence and significant fine. Felony charges can be quite serious and could result in a complete disruption of your life. A felony charge can impact your reputation and your relationships and cause other negative impacts throughout your life.

How Many Different Classes of Felonies Are There?

There are 10 classes of felony that you can be charged with within the state. They are Class A, B1, B2, C, D, E, F, G, H, and I. Each class has its own penalties and classification of crimes. Depending on your case, you could be charged with one of these felonies, the most serious being Class A. If you are charged with a Class A felony, you could be looking at life in prison or even the death penalty.

Reach Out to a Felony Lawyer Today

Being charged with a felony offense is no laughing matter. It can be the start of a serious life struggle that you may never recover from. Attempting to handle a felony charge on your own could result in a serious conviction that will stay on your record. If you are ever charged with a felony, you should reach out to an experienced lawyer who can help you figure out what to do and plan a strategy for your defense.

LAWSMITH, The Law Offices of J. Scott Smith, PLLC, can help you by developing your case, gathering the necessary evidence that supports your claim, and protecting your interests throughout the duration of your case. Contact us to schedule a consultation as soon as you can.