Hampstead NC Misdemeanor Attorney - Shoplifting Larceny Lawyer

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As in most states, crimes in North Carolina as well tear into misdemeanors and felonies.

The term misdemeanor is believed to origin in the late 15th century from mis- which was a prefix for wrong, and Middle English demenure or demeanor which meant handle, manage, conduct.

Compared to felonies, misdemeanors are the "lesser" criminal act—they are generally punished less severely than felonies.

There are four classes of misdemeanors in North Carolina ranging from the least serious Class 3 to the most serious Class A-1. A Class 3 misdemeanor carries a maximum active sentence of 20 days and a Class A-1 misdemeanor carries a maximum active sentence of 150 days of imprisonment. In regards to misdemeanors, the defendant's prior record level is sectioned off into three categories which are: level 1- no prior convictions; level 2- one to four prior convictions and; level 3- five or more prior convictions.

You should contact an attorney immediately if you have been charged with a misdemeanor. Do not discuss your matter with anyone except for your attorney until and if your attorney advises you to. Your attorney can assist in informing you of the many things that can either help or hurt your particular case as well as help you minimize the consequences you will ultimately receive as a result of a criminal charge.

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.