Topsail Island NC Felony Defense Attorney - Criminal Defense Lawyer

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As in most states, and in Federal Court, criminal charges in North Carolina fall into two distinct categories - misdemeanors and felonies.  Felonies are more serious with more punitive consequences than misdemeanors.

In our current legal system, a felony is generally considered to be a crime of "high seriousness", while a misdemeanor is not.  The term felony is believed to origin in the late 13th century common law, in Anglo-French, from Old French "felonie" which meant wickedness, evil, treachery, perfidy, crime, cruelty, sin.  In North Carolina, felonies are divided into classes ranging from the most serious Class A to the least serious Class I, all of which are punishable by more than a year in prison. The most serious Class of felony - Class A - carries a maximum sentence of death or life without parole.

The prior record level which ranges from 1 for defendants with 0 points to the most serious record level 6 for defendants with 19 or more points determines which range of sentences is applicable, and the amount of points is determined by the defendant’s prior convictions.

There are many additional conditions a judge can impose on a defendant within the structured sentencing system in addition to probation and prison. Also, there is a range of punishment within each class under each record level for the judge depending on the existence of specific mitigating or aggravating factors.

Many things can be done to either help or hurt your particular case if you are charged with a felony.  An experienced attorney can help you minimize the detrimental effects you will ultimately experience due to being charged with a felony. If charged with a felony, you should immediately contact an attorney and not discuss your case with anybody else until or unless your attorney tells you that you may.

Collins Law Firm is experienced in representing people charged with felonies and we can be reached at 910-793-9000 for a confidential consultation about your particular situation.

Below is a sentencing chart for Felonies in North Carolina:

Topsail Beach, North Carolina is located in Pender County, NC and is just south of Surf City, North Carolina. Topsail Beach, NC is on Topsail Island which is located just south of Camp Lejeune and just north of Lea Island.  If you receive a traffic citation or if you are charged with a crime at Topsail Beach, your court date will be in Burgaw, North Carolina at the Pender County court house.  Pender County is part of the 5th judicial district which also includes New Hanover County.  Because New Hanover County and Pender County courts are in the same judicial district, they have the same judges and prosecutors which rotate between the counties.

Collins Law Firm is located in Wilmington, North Carolina, and does not have an office in Topsail Beach.  However, we regularly represent people charged with traffic citations or crimes which occur in Topsail Beach for which the court date will be in Burgaw, North Carolina.

The Pender County Courthouse is located at 100 South Wright St. Burgaw, NC 28425.

Content for Felonies