Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Blog
Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Should I talk to the police?”
After 108 homicides in Charlotte last year, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department prepared a map of violent crime “hot spots” in the city. The map was shown to members of the Charlotte City Council. The department told council members that it would use all available data to address crime as a public health issue. However, CMPD also complained that it would not be able to lower violent crime on its own, as reported by WFAE.
Interestingly, the map of violent crime “hot spots” in Charlotte showed that most such crimes are occurring in the so-called crescent of lower-income neighborhoods in the west, north, and east of uptown.
Four Worst Violent Crime Hot Spots in Charlotte
The department pinpointed four worst hot spots in Charlotte:
- Sugar Creek Road and Interstate 85
- Beatties Ford Road and LaSalle Street
- Central Avenue and North Sharon Amity Road
- Nations Ford Road and Arrowood Road
In three of those areas, there were 14 killings in 2019, though the Central Avenue area had no homicides. Although these four areas account for less than 1% of Charlotte’s landmass, they comprised a staggering 8% of violent crime last year.
The police identified 13 hotels and motels in the Sugar Creek Road cluster as the biggest culprit behind violent crimes in the areas. According to CMPD Deputy Chief Gerald Smith, prostitution, which remains a major problem in the area, contributes to secondary crimes, such as assault and robbery.
Smith also said that Hispanics are often targeted for armed robbery in the Arrowood Road area, though many crimes in the area may not be reported due to communication barriers. The same can be said about the Central Avenue corridor, which has seen high numbers of armed robberies in the area in recent years.
As for the Beatties Ford Road/LaSalle area, there has been a large amount of drug dealing, according to CMPD, while the homeless population is believed to contribute to the high crime rate.
Criminal Defense in North Carolina
North Carolina law divides criminal charges into two groups — felonies and misdemeanors.
Felonies are the most severe crimes, which usually apply to cases involving serious bodily injuries and extensive property damage. Punishment for felonies can be more than a year in prison, in addition to the loss of several rights as a citizen or immigrant.
While misdemeanors are less serious and carry shorter jail times and less severe fines, these convictions can still have a negative impact on an individual’s employment, reputation, and lifestyle. That is why it is necessary to have a Charlotte criminal defense attorney to defend yourself against criminal charges.
Why You Need a Charlotte Criminal Defense Attorney
Preparing a criminal defense strategy with the help of an attorney is important to fight against jail time and damaging criminal records. Here at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, our lawyers have helped clients fight charges in various situations, including:
Our lawyers have what it takes to protect your rights to pursue jobs, travel, education, and other privileges that a conviction may restrict or destroy altogether. Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC, for a consultation about your case. Call at (704) 370-2828 to explore your legal options or fill out our contact form. Now taking cases throughout North Carolina with offices in Uptown Charlotte, Mooresville and our new location in Monroe.
The criminal defense attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC make it their mission to zealously defend their clients on a wide range of criminal matters at both the state and federal levels. These matters may include any charge from traffic offenses; DWI/DUI; drug charges (from simple possession to possession with intent to distribute and trafficking); gun permit denials; weapons offenses; and property crimes (larceny, breaking and entering, robbery, fraud, embezzlement, white collar offenses); to sexually related offenses (indecent exposure; sexual assault, crimes against nature, removal from sex offender registry); and violent crimes (domestic violence; assault; manslaughter; homicide, murder). Other legal issues that Arnold & Smith, PLLC criminal clients may be facing include restraining orders, restraining order and probation violations, expungements; appeals; and immigration issues related to criminal charges. Our criminal defense attorneys are passionate about ensuring that individuals empower themselves by being informed about their constitutional rights, and stand at the ready to fight in the defense of those facing criminal charges.
Source:
https://www.wfae.org/post/cmpd-identifies-violent-crime-hot-spots-charlotte#stream/0
Image Credit:
https://www.freeimages.com/photo/hearst-tower-2-1562338
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