Hampstead NC Felony Defense Attorney - Larceny Shoplifting 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:

Hampstead, North Carolina is located in Pender County and is an unincorporated but fairly populated area located near the Intracoastal Waterway north of Wilmington, North Carolina.  Therefore, there are no Hampstead police officers but there are many other law enforcement agencies which have jurisdiction in Hampstead including North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Pender County Sheriff's Department, North Carolina ALE agents, Wildlife officers and the Marine Patrol.  If any law enforcement agency charges you with a crime or issues you a citation for a traffic violation, in or around Hampstead, your court date will be in Burgaw, North Carolina which is the county seat of Pender County.  Pender County is part of the 5th judicial district which also includes New Hanover County.  Because Pender County and New Hanover County comprise the same judicial district, which means that the same district attorney's office prosecutes cases in both counties and the district court judges which hold court in New Hanover County and Pender County rotate between the two counties.

While Collins Law Firm does not have an office in Hampstead, NC, attorney David Collins regularly practices in Pender County and therefore, if you have been charged with a crime or received a traffic citation in Hampstead, NC or anywhere within Pender County, Collins Law Firm can help.

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

Content for Felonies