Asheville Violent Crime Attorney

Violent Crime Defense Lawyer in Asheville, NC

A violent crime is among the most serious offenses a person can be accused of. This is a crime that has some of the most severe penalties, and it’s important to have legal representation in place as soon as possible to avoid further issues. You should consider hiring an Asheville violent crime attorney immediately to fight for your legal rights.

At Edwards Law, PLLC, we are an Asheville criminal defense law firm that is highly reputable when it comes to violent crime cases. Doug Edwards has handled violent crime as both a prosecutor and a criminal defense lawyer. We have the expertise to provide strong, aggressive, and quality representation when faced with a violent crime accusation.

If you are in a situation that is as difficult as this, it is important to consult with an Asheville violent crime defense attorney who is aware of what steps to take to protect your rights, reputation, and liberty. If you have been charged with a violent crime or are under investigation, take the time to call us at (828) 554-7221 for a free initial consultation.

What Types of Crimes Are Considered to Be Violent Crimes?

Violent crimes are often associated with specific actions against another person. Violent crimes are generally referred to as “crimes against the person.” These crimes generally are acts of force or bodily harm against another person.

Violent crimes include everything from sex crimes, sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, and murder. If you are charged with a violent crime, your future, freedom, reputation, and life may be on the line. Violent crimes carry some of the most severe punishments, including lengthy terms in prison, large fines, and the loss of other rights.

At Edwards Law, PLLC, we understand the importance of developing a strong defense for our clients from the very beginning. We take an individualized approach to building a strong defense for our clients. If you or a loved one has been arrested or is under investigation for a violent crime, you need to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.

Schedule a free consultation now with our Asheville violent crime defense lawyer to discuss your case. We will thoroughly review the charges against you to help you understand the potential situations for your case.

The types of crimes can include:

• Assault and battery
• Spousal abuse
• Murder
• Rape
• Domestic abuse
• Manslaughter
• Assault with a deadly weapon that inflicts serious injury
• Assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill
• Assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury
• Kidnapping
• Robbery with a dangerous weapon
• Common law robbery
• Assault inflicting serious injury
• Assault inflicting serious bodily injury
• Firearm offenses
• Assault with a deadly weapon
• Assault on a government official
• Domestic violence

If you are facing a charge or are under investigation for a serious violent offense, you should speak with an experienced criminal lawyer immediately. The severity of the punishment for some of these offenses is shocking to many people. It is important to begin developing a defense strategy from the very beginning. Many times, law enforcement and news media report details of a case, creating a bias in the community from the beginning. Your reputation, liberty, and future are at stake.

It is going to be difficult for you to handle a situation such as this, and that’s why you should hire a violent crime attorney as soon as possible.

We are here to help you when the stakes could not be higher. Call us at (828) 554-7221.

Get a Free Case Evaluation with a Violent Crime Lawyer!

How North Carolina Classifies and Sentences Violent Crimes

There are two categories of violent crimes in North Carolina. How a crime is classified determines everything from violent crime penalties to how bail is set and what the long-term consequences of your conviction are in your daily life. Depending on the specifics of your crime, you could be charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony.

Class 3-A1 Misdemeanors

Misdemeanors are less serious than felonies, but they can still leave you facing jail time, significant fines, and other consequences. Here’s what you need to know:

• Misdemeanors in NC are broken up into classes 3, 2, 1, and A1.
• Penalties range from 20 days in jail for Class 3 misdemeanors to 150 days in jail and higher fines for Class A1 offenses.
• Simple assault and battery is a good example of a misdemeanor violent crime, as it’s typically tried as a Class 2 misdemeanor.
• If there are aggravating factors, they could cause your misdemeanor violent crime to be tried at a higher level of misdemeanor level or as a felony.

Class I-A Felonies

Felonies are more serious. This class of offenses includes the majority of violent crimes. Here’s what you should know if you’re facing felony charges:

• Felonies in NC range in severity from Class I to Class A.
• Sentencing is based not just on the level of the felony committed but also on the defendant’s prior criminal record.
• Aggravating or mitigating circumstances also play a role in felony sentencing.
• Felony convictions have long-term consequences that extend beyond longer prison sentences and higher fines, including loss of firearms rights and eligibility for some jobs.

According to North Carolina’s violent crime laws, how your offense is classified affects everything from penalties to bail and potential long-term consequences. The good news is that you may be able to get your charges reduced from the felony level to the misdemeanor level, even if you are not able to have them dismissed altogether. If you’re interested in this option, speak with a violent crime attorney about negotiating a plea deal.

What Are the Penalties for Violent Crimes in Asheville, NC?

It is important to be aware of what the penalties are in a violent crime case. Most people are aware that the penalties are going to be harsh, but how severe can they be? This is a question you are going to have as a client, and it is better to be aware of this as soon as you get the chance.

The penalties will vary, and it is going to come down to the case details and what you have been charged with. In order to provide realistic possible outcomes, we need to know the charges against you and what your criminal history contains, if any. Factors, such as whether a weapon was involved, whether someone was injured, and whether the alleged victim was a minor, can greatly increase the penalties.

North Carolina also classifies violent crimes by felony level. Higher-level felonies carry minimum sentencing and fewer opportunities for early release. A conviction may follow you long after your sentence is complete.

The penalties for violent crimes can include:

• Prison time of one day to life without parole
• Substantial fines
• Supervised probation
• Sex offender registration

It is important to have a legal professional who has the expertise to manage stressful situations such as this and make sure there is an open line of communication while aggressively protecting your rights at every stage of the process.

Call us at (828) 554-7221 for a free initial consultation.

What Should I Do if I Have Been Arrested for a Violent Crime in Asheville, NC?

The moment a person is arrested for a violent crime in Asheville, NC, it can bring many questions. You will worry about the possible penalties that you face when dealing with a violent crime charge. We know this is a difficult position and something that causes a lot of anxiety, frustration, and concern.

As a result, you need to consult with an experienced violent crime lawyer as soon as possible. Doug Edwards will work directly with you and your family members to develop a viable defense to the accusations you are facing. We bring a unique and individualized approach to every case.

If you are faced with an allegation that you have committed a violent crime, you should speak to an experienced attorney as soon as possible. It is important to begin discussions with an attorney to put in place a plan to fight the charges against you. With quality and competent legal representation, a defense plan can be developed to help reach the most favorable outcome possible.

The most important thing to remember when charged with any violent crime is that you should not speak to the police unless you have consulted with a criminal lawyer, and the lawyer is present to advise you. You have the right to a lawyer during questioning and to decline to answer any questions. It is better to remain calm and tell the police that you want to speak to an attorney.

How Our Asheville Violent Crime Attorneys Can Help You

Our goal as criminal lawyers when representing clients charged with high-level violent crimes is to evaluate the case and begin developing an individualized defense strategy. We will review the discovery, or evidence, provided by the State and determine whether the case is one of guilt or innocence. We review all information, including witness statements, video and photographic evidence, expert reports, and any forensic reports.

Upon reviewing the case file, we help our client understand and weigh the risks of trial and the likelihood of securing a plea arrangement that may be in the client’s best interest under the circumstances. We give our clients advice based on years of experience as a prosecutor and defense lawyer.

We are also uniquely qualified to provide advice based on over 100 jury trials, and the likely outcome should the case proceed to trial. Ultimately, the client must determine whether to take their case to trial or accept a negotiated plea deal.

Doug Edwards has tremendous experience handling violent crimes. He works with various experts and investigators to put together a team of professionals dedicated to fighting for you. Call us today at (828) 554-7221 to get your defense started.

Potential Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges

Choosing the right defense strategy requires evaluating every aspect of the evidence against you and the prosecution’s case. Your lawyer will discuss the case with you to determine the most effective way to move forward. Depending on the circumstances, your attorney might suggest:

• Lack of understanding: There are three common defense strategies that fall into this category: insanity, intoxication, and mistake of law or fact. To use one of these defenses, your lawyer can argue that you should be found not guilty because you did not understand what you were doing or that your actions were wrong. These defenses apply only in limited circumstances.
• Justification: Self-defense is the most common justification against violent crime charges. It argues that you used an appropriate amount of force in response to a reasonably perceived threat to yourself or another person. Duress and necessity also fall into this category. You could argue that you were forced to commit the crime by another person or that you acted to avoid greater harm.
• Lack of crime: You can argue that no crime occurred. Defenses in this category include entrapment, consent, and abandonment or withdrawal. A consent defense may involve arguing that an alleged offense, such as rape, did not occur because the alleged victim consented. Entrapment occurs when law enforcement induces someone to commit a crime they otherwise would not have committed.
• Mistaken identity: You may also argue that a crime occurred, but you were not the person who committed it. This defense of actual innocence often requires an alibi showing that you were not at the scene when the offense occurred. An alibi may include witness statements, photographs, surveillance footage, or receipts from locations away from the area.

If you’re unsure which argument applies, don’t worry. You can rely on your violent crime defense attorney to evaluate the key elements of the charges and determine the most effective path forward to reduce your exposure to serious consequences.

Why Should I Hire a Violent Crime Attorney?

It is common for a person to struggle with a violent crime charge and not know what to do next. We see this all the time at Edwards Law, PLLC, as a legal team, and it is something you might face too. If that is the case, the first thing you are going to want to do is to hire a violent crime attorney who practices exclusively in the area of criminal law. You also want to make sure that the attorney practices extensively in the county where you have been charged.

The reason to hire an Asheville violent crime lawyer is to have someone by your side to build the defense strategy. This should be a specialist who has extensive experience handling the specific type of charge you are facing.

Doug Edwards is a board-certified specialist in North Carolina criminal law with vast experience in the local criminal justice system, having served as an Assistant District Attorney for over 10 years. Doug Edwards’ experience in the courtroom and court system is unparalleled.

At Edwards Law, PLLC, we are going to be ready to help achieve the most favorable outcome, whether that means negotiating a plea bargain or going to trial. To find out more about what we can do for you, call us at (828) 554-7221.

FAQs

What Is Considered a Violent Crime in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, a violent crime is any offense that involves using, attempting to use, or threatening to use physical force against another person. Violent crimes often result in, or create the risk of, serious injury. They range from Class A1 misdemeanors to Class A–G felonies. If you have been charged with a violent crime, you should take the matter seriously and hire a lawyer immediately.

Does Asheville Have a Crime Problem?

Asheville has a crime problem, but it appears to be getting better in some ways. The city saw a 28% drop in violent crime from 2022 to 2024. Overall, arrests were down 4% since 2020 as of 2024. However, quality of life issues, such as trespassing, disorderly conduct, and drug use, all persist, and the crime rate is still far from zero.

What Is a Hate Crime in NC?

A hate crime in North Carolina is a violent crime committed against a person because of their race, religion, color, nationality, or country of origin. Hate crimes may be charged as Class 1 misdemeanors or felonies depending on the circumstances. Federal hate crime laws also apply in North Carolina and cover additional protected classes, including disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

What Are the 4 Classifications of Crime?

The four classifications of crime are felonies, misdemeanors, wobblers, and infractions. Infractions are the least serious and include offenses such as traffic violations. Misdemeanors are more serious, while felonies are the most severe and carry the harshest penalties. Wobblers, also called felony-misdemeanors, may be charged as either, depending on the circumstances.

Contact an Asheville Violent Crime Defense Attorney at Edwards Law, PLLC

At Edwards Law, PLLC, our Asheville violent crime attorney takes the time to go through everything with you. We want to make sure you are getting appropriate legal representation and are receiving the advice you need. We know it is not easy, but that does not mean you will want to ignore your legal options. This is essential as you will need a strong defense that works for your specific situation.

Doug Edwards provides quality, strong, and aggressive defense for those accused of a violent crime in Asheville and surrounding communities within North Carolina. If this is something you want to get right, you will want to contact our Asheville law office at (828) 554-7221. We will be detail-oriented, focused, and committed to the process from day one.

Edwards Law, PLLC – Asheville, NC Office

38 Arlington St, Asheville,
NC 28801, United States

Client Testimonials

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“Super grateful for Attorney Edwards and Sherry. They were super responsive to all the questions I had. Never once did I feel like I was not being heard. Can’t thank them enough for all their support and hard work on my father’s case. They were able to get them to dismiss his charges. Definitely someone you can count on! Thank you again! ☺️”

— Sherlyn Gonzalez

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“Incredible law firm experience. Managed to help me with a case that another law firm failed to do in over two years – they finished it instantly and perfectly within two months. Can’t recommend more highly – they were by far the most affordable, responsive, and competent law firm of all the ones I researched. Thank you so much for all the help!”

— Ben Yu

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