Asheville Felony Lawyer

Felony Attorney in Asheville, NC

Being charged with a crime of any kind can be life-changing, emotional, and leave you with many unanswered questions. The thought of penalties that include fines, prison time, or more can be frightening. However, your criminal charges do not mean that you are guilty of the crime. There is a long process to get to the point of being found guilty, and, with the right defense attorney, including guidance from an experienced Asheville Felony Lawyer, many of your fears and worries can be eased as you work toward the strongest possible defense.

At Edwards Law, PLLC, we focus on criminal defense for any type of case you may be facing. Our knowledge and experience mean that we know the right tools and resources to use to help defend you. North Carolina has some of the toughest laws in the country for criminal convictions. Our goal is to make sure that your rights are protected, that your charges are based on proper evidence, and that you receive the greatest representation possible.

Types of Cases We Handle

No matter what type of criminal charge you are facing, you deserve the greatest defense. That means you should have a criminal defense attorney with a wide range of experience. Many charges are not singular and can have others added on. Knowing this, we make it our job to understand the felony laws to help protect you from lengthy or unnecessary jail time, excessive fines, probation, or other penalties. Many of the cases we handle include:

• Misdemeanor Offenses: From minor drug offenses to moving traffic violations, misdemeanors should not be taken lightly. In many cases, you could still face jail time, excessive fines, and even the loss of certain privileges, such as driving.
• Gun Offenses: Gun charges can carry heavy penalties. Examples of gun charges include carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, possession of a firearm by a felon, or possessing a firearm in a location where weapons are not allowed, such as on school grounds. Although some gun charges are misdemeanors, many gun charges could result in penalties that include up to 10 years in prison.
• Drug Crimes: With penalties that could include decades of prison time, drug charges should not be taken lightly. From possession to trafficking to selling, the type of drug charge and the type of drug involved can be critical to the outcome of your case.
• Theft Crimes: Although some theft charges, such as shoplifting or larceny, could be considered misdemeanors, robbery is a felony that could have a prison term with a minimum of 4 years. Additional circumstances surrounding the crime, such as the use of a weapon, could change the penalties you could face.
• Violent Crimes and Assaults: There are many different types of violent crimes that are classified here. The most severe are homicide or manslaughter. The penalties for these types of felonies are determined by the circumstances of the case. If, for example, your crime is classified as involuntary, your prison sentence could be one to ten years. However, if it is deemed intentional, you could spend the rest of your life in prison.
• Sexual Assaults: Considered amongst the most grievous of crimes in North Carolina, sex crimes such as rape, sexual assault, or sexual abuse could put you in prison for life. However, even beyond that, you could find yourself on the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry, which will follow you for a lifetime.
• Domestic Violence: In North Carolina, domestic violence is charged as the specific crime that was committed. That means if you assault your spouse, you will be charged with assault. However, the added consequences include protective orders filed against you, loss of child custody, and even the loss of the home you shared with others.
• Probation Violations: Whether you missed an appointment with a probation officer, failed to pay appropriate fines, or lost employment during probation, there are many ways you could violate the terms of probation. The consequences could result in an extension of your probation or a revocation of probation. This could result in the initial penalty for your charge being put back in place.
• White-Collar Crimes: Crimes such as embezzlement or credit card fraud are considered white-collar crimes. In addition to prison terms, the consequences for such cases could also include fines and restitution to the victim.
• Expungement: Certain crimes in North Carolina qualify for expunction from your record, which could aid in finding employment, housing, or continuing your education. The type of crime and the circumstances surrounding it will determine who is eligible.

Get a Free Case Evaluation with a Felony Lawyer!

Understanding Case Types

​​There were 31,197 inmates as of June 30, 2023, the last day of FY 2022–2023. A minor percentage of the population had misdemeanor convictions (1%, 424), while the majority (99%, 30,773) had felony convictions.

Felony charges in Asheville or anywhere in Buncombe County depend on what you have been accused of doing. Felony offenses in North Carolina range from Class I to Class A felonies and are punishable by several months in jail up to life in prison without parole. At Edwards Law, PLLC, we aggressively represent clients charged with all types of serious felony offenses in Buncombe County.

Examples of other serious felony charges we defend clients against include felony possession of a firearm by a felon under § 14-415.1, serious sex offense accusations, felony child abuse and neglect, identity theft, and serious financial crimes like embezzlement and obtaining property by false pretenses.

Factors such as the amount of drugs can change what you are facing sentence-wise by several grades. Aggravating factors in violent felony cases can enhance your punishment under North Carolina’s Structured Sentencing law.

Every felony charge has different evidence that the prosecutor must prove and defenses that may be available. It is often important to get involved early before the prosecutor solidifies his thoughts on your case, especially when your case involves search warrants, forensic testing, or extensive financial documents. An effective and informed defense can alter charging decisions, reduce the severity of potential plea offers, and impact sentencing.

Long-Term Consequences for Criminal Convictions

While prison terms and fines are most often associated with criminal convictions, there are many other consequences that you could face that would impact your daily life after prison. These consequences are not issued by a court but are the challenges you face in society because of the reputation you may have as a convicted criminal. Examples of these consequences include:

• Loss of employment or difficulty obtaining employment
• Loss of home or difficulty obtaining housing
• Loss of professional licenses
• Losing custody of children or losing visitation rights with them
• Loss of gun rights
• Losing the right to vote
• Dishonorably discharged from the military
• Difficulties in obtaining loans

We know that serving the penalties of your criminal convictions does not define who you are. These are the results of the stigmas that could arise when engaging with others.

FAQs

Can a Felony Be Dropped in NC?

Yes, felonies can be dropped in North Carolina. Some examples of when charges might be dropped include when there is a lack of evidence, when your rights were violated, such as with an illegal search, witness issues, such as credibility, plea bargaining before trial, or entering a diversion program. Ultimately, it’s up to the prosecutor, but your Asheville felony attorney can help you work towards that goal.

What’s Worse, Felony 1 or Felony 3?

Under North Carolina law, there is no such thing as felony 1 or felony 3. Felony classes are divided into Classes A through I. Felonies lower in the alphabet have longer potential sentences of imprisonment, pursuant to NC’s Structured Sentencing. Aggravating and mitigating factors can also affect sentencing, depending on the charge and the circumstances of the case. Your attorney can give you a better idea of what to expect in your particular case.

How Much Does It Cost to Expunge a Felony in NC?

The cost to file an expunction petition in North Carolina for a felony case can vary. Some dismissals and not guilty results can be expunged for free. There may be other fees, such as certified copies or attorney fees. Each case depends on the outcome of the case, the necessary waiting period, and whether the crime is allowed to be expunged.

What Are the Chances of Going to Jail for a First-Time Felony in NC?

The chances of going to jail for a first-time felony in NC really depend on what class of felony and what prior record level you have. North Carolina follows Sentencing Guidelines called Structured Sentencing, and they take into account the seriousness of your offense and your prior record.

Certain lower felonies can be probationable or community service punishable even as a first-time offender, but certain higher felonies have mandatory minimum active sentences even for first-time offenders with no prior record.

Hire a Felony Lawyer

No matter what type of criminal charge you are facing, our defense attorneys are ready to help. When you hire a felony lawyer, you are hiring a team of knowledgeable and experienced individuals who consider the person or persons involved. We know that your charges could be life-altering, and so we bring an aggressive, determined, and unique defense to your case.

When our team takes your case, we examine every aspect of it to be sure that your rights have not been violated, that the circumstances of your arrest were done properly, and that the evidence, witness statements, and police reports match the charges. Based on that information, we strive to have your charges reduced, dismissed, or reach an outright acquittal.

If you have been charged with a crime in Asheville, contact our offices and let the team at Edwards Law, PLLC, get to work for you.

Edwards Law, PLLC – Asheville, NC Office

38 Arlington St, Asheville,
NC 28801, United States

Client Testimonials

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“Wonderful and very quick to respond to our needs and was a delight working with both Doug and Sherri under the circumstances could not recommend anyone better the edwards law I would give a 10 star if I could. Thanks Doug and Sherri!”

— Patricia Sharpe

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“Doug Edwards is an absolutely amazing lawyer. He truly cares about his clients and works hard to make sure they receive the very best outcome possible. The communication was awesome with Doug and his office at all times. I highly recommend Doug Edwards, HE GETS RESULTS!”

— Kimberly McGraw

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