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 In
North Carolina, we have two levels of trial court that deal with
criminal cases, including traffic matters: Criminal District Court and
Criminal Superior Court.CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT Criminal District Court has original jurisdiction over everything from traffic matters to serious felonies and even murder charges. However, District Court is primarily where misdemeanors are resolved and probable cause hearings for felonies are heard. District Court is the busiest court and there are generally several hundred criminal matters on the docket at each session. Matters that we handle in Criminal District Court are: TRAFFIC CASES THAT WILL RESULT IN LICENSE REVOCATION DOMESTIC VIOLENCE North Carolina has taken a strong position on domestic violence cases and the definition of domestic violence includes acts against your spouse, girlfriend, family member or anyone with whom you have lived. Some domestic violence cases we handle in District Court include: In many cases involving domestic violence, a good lawyer can help the parties settle the underlying dispute and convince the District Attorney to dismiss the charges at the request of the prosecuting witness. If this cannot be accomplished, then you should definitely have a good attorney to vigorously defend you against these charges that can land you in jail, on probation, in anger management classes at the mental health center, and can have a lasting effect on your life and your job opportunities. PROPERTY CRIMES Property crimes include trespass, and injury to real and personal property. They are offenses against the property of another. Usually these are private warrants and they are often riddled with mistakes that a good lawyer can exploit. LARCENY, FRAUD AND CRIMES OF DECEIT Simple Worthless Check. Did you know that if you simply pay off the worthless check to the County Clerk’s office that you are pleading guilty? And did you know that each charge of worthless check can cost you $100.00 in court costs, even if the check was for $5.00? We can get those checks consolidated in most cases so that you only pay one court cost. MISDEMEANOR ALCOHOL AND DRUG OFFENSES
CRIMINAL SUPERIOR COURT Criminal Superior Court is where all felonies and appeals of district court misdemeanor convictions are tried. If you are charged with an offense that lands you in Superior Court, your chances of either being placed on supervised probation (with many difficult requirements) or being sent to prison if convicted are almost certain. Some, but not all, of the types of cases that Art Blue and I handle in Superior Court include: HOMICIDE This broad category covers from capital murder to manslaughter. I am qualified through the IDS commission as first chair counsel for death penalty cases. Most individuals facing the death penalty end up having two lawyers appointed to them because the cost of mounting a defense in a death penalty case is too high for all but the wealthiest individuals.SEX OFFENSES Sex offenses include charges of rape, both forcible and statutory, indecent liberties with minor, and a variety of other offenses specific to the conduct charged. No other type of charge can so thoroughly destroy a person’s reputation while subjecting him to the possibility of a lengthy prison term. These charges must be fiercely defended from the day they are brought against the client, through a probable cause hearing and a Superior Court trial. LARCENY, EMBEZZLEMENT, FRAUD Larceny in Superior Court includes the theft of large amounts of money or of big ticket items - like automobiles, and charges of stealing by employees and others who hold positions of trust. Embezzlement is similar to larceny by employee, but broader in definition since it includes anyone who has a duty to handle someone else’s money or property. Often, we see that when money comes up missing from a family business, the one who ends up charged is the one employee who is not a member of the family. For these kinds of cases, you need a lawyer who is not afraid to dig into dry financial records and trace the funds. District Attorneys hate these kinds of cases because they require tremendous work and a lot of figures. BURGLARY Burglary is breaking and entering an occupied dwelling at night. It is one of the most serious charges that can be filed and was once punishable by the death penalty.FELONY DRUG CHARGES The North Carolina General Assembly and the Congress of the United States seem to pass new State and Federal drug laws every time they have a session. There are no "minor" drug offenses anymore. State and Federal officials are constantly working together to apprehend even smalltime users of controlled substances. Often, "confidential sources of information" are used to sting people in undercover drug buys. If you are charged with a felony drug offense, you need an experienced attorney to review your case and give you the best defense possible. HOW DO I SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO DISCUSS MY CRIMINAL CASE? If you or a loved one are charged with a crime and don’t know where to turn, give us a call toll free at (800) 987-4325 or (910) 947-1500. Your initial consultation is free. We have the knowledge and experience to review your case, explain the process, and give you reasonable expectations for what will eventually happen with your case. That kind of information will make a very difficult time more bearable for you and your friends and family.Arthur M. Blue Law Office, P.A. is located in Carthage, Asheboro and Southern Pines, NC. Call us today for a consultation and evaluation of your criminal law case. We will fight for you to make sure your rights are protected and that you are represented properly. ________________________ Addiction and Recovery / Appeals / Arraignment / Bail / Clearing a Record / Criminal Deportation / Drunk Driving / Federal Crimes / Juvenile Law / Money Lenders / Murder / Robbery / Sentencing / Traffic School / Trial / White Collar Crimes |
©
Arthur M. Blue Law
Office, P.A., Carthage & Southern Pines, North
Carolina Attorneys at Law |
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