Wilmington NC Criminal Defense Attorney David Collins

Anyone can be charged with a crime. Just because you are charged does not mean you are guilty. In fact, it is a fundamental principle in the United States, that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  If you are charged with a crime, you should exercise your right to remain silent (which you always have—even before you are read your Miranda rights) and immediately obtain counsel.

Criminal charges, in addition to a sentence imposed by the court, can result in criminal records which can affect a person for their entire life. Therefore, it is very important that people who are charged take the matter seriously and take appropriate steps to avoid or mitigate the negative consequences of criminal charges. In some cases, it is possible to have criminal records expunged, which means the records are removed from the public records and destroyed by a process called expungement.

Even relatively minor charges like traffic tickets can affect one’s driving privileges, employment, and can cause expensive insurance premium increases. Many times these consequences can be avoided, and sometimes without the necessity of our clients appearing in court. North Carolina is one of the few states that has a disposition known as a Prayer for Judgment Continued or PJC. However, a PJC is not always the best result for all traffic matters. One should always consult an attorney experienced in traffic law if they received a traffic citation.

Collins Law Firm is located in Wilmington, North Carolina, which is a coastal city and the county seat for New Hanover County, NC.  Wilmington, NC is primarily located between the Cape Fear River on its west and Wrightsville Beach and the Atlantic Ocean on its east. New Hanover County is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Pender County to the north, and Brunswick County to the west. If you are charged with a crime or receive a traffic citation such as a speeding ticket in Wilmington, NC your court date will be in the New Hanover County courthouse unless you are charged with a federal crime.

Collins Law Firm regularly represents people charged with crimes or traffic violations with court appearances in the New Hanover County courthouse in Wilmington, NC, which is located at 316 Princess Street, Wilmington, NC 28401.