Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Blog
What are Violent Crimes in North Carolina?
Being charged with a crime can be frightening, but if you are charged with a violent crime, it can make the situation even more difficult. Violent crimes are generally more serious than other crimes, and if convicted, the sentences are usually severe. It is essential to defend your criminal charges with help from a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney. It is helpful to understand which crimes are considered violent in North Carolina.
Violent Crimes in North Carolina
Violent crimes are illegal actions that include harming or attempting to harm another person. They usually involve actions that could potentially cause harm or death to someone. These types of crimes may include threats to harm someone, even when the other person was unharmed in the incident. Some types of violent crimes are aggravated assault, domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, use of weapons, assault and battery, manslaughter, and murder. Of these, first-degree murder is the most serious and includes the willful, deliberate, premeditated killing of another.
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Potential Sentences for Conviction on Violent Crime Charges
The potential sentences for someone convicted of a violent crime are often quite harsh. The punishments range in severity based on the type of crime. When the use of violence is alleged, the potential sentence could be increased accordingly. If convicted, you could face a prison sentence, along with other punishments. A conviction of murder might result in a sentence of life in prison. Violent crimes are always more serious than other types of crimes and therefore, if found guilty, the consequences could have a negative impact on your life for years to come.
Defending Violent Crime Charges
In any criminal case, the first thing your attorney will do is gather information and review evidence. In some cases, your attorney may challenge the evidence or how it was gathered. If the evidence was not obtained legally, it cannot be used in the case against you. Your attorney will work to develop a strategy to defend against criminal charges. Depending on the circumstances, there may be evidence that is disputed, such as false accusations, improper identification, inadequate testing or test evaluation, and false testimony. There are additional ways that you may defend these serious charges.
Self-defense is one of the possible legal defenses against violent crime charges, such as murder. The use of force, except deadly force, is justified when someone reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent serious harm or death. Presenting an alibi as to your whereabouts at the time of the crime is another potential defense. For an alibi to be effective, there must be corroborating evidence, such as from a witness, camera, or other source.
If you have been charged with a violent crime, it is often best to seek legal guidance as soon as possible. You will want your attorney present when you speak with law enforcement. Contact us at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to learn how we can help with your criminal defense.
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.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_14/gs_14-51.3.html
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/murder
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https://www.freeimages.com/photo/crime-scene-1452689
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