Carolina Beach NC Felony Defense Attorney - Felony 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:

Carolina Beach, North Carolina is on Pleasure Island in New Hanover County and is a town which had a population of approximately 4,800 in 2000.

If you are charged with a crime or receive a traffic citation in Carolina Beach, NC your court date will be in the New Hanover County court in Wilmington, North Carolina which is approximately ten miles north of Carolina Beach, NC.

Collins Law Firm is located in Wilmington, North Carolina and does not have an office in Carolina Beach, NC.  However, we regularly represent people charged with traffic citations or charged with crimes which occur in Carolina Beach, NC.  Carolina Beach, NC has its own police department but other agencies also have jurisdiction in Carolina Beach, NC such as New Hanover State Highway Patrol, Alcohol Law Enforcement, New Hanover County Sheriff's Department, North Carolina Wildlife officers.

The New Hanover County Courthouse is located at 316 Princess Street, Wilmington, NC 28401.