Criminal Law in Mooresville, North Carolina

If you have been charged or think you may be charged with a crime, it can be a very difficult time, for yourself and your loved ones. There is often a tremendous amount of confusion and anxiety surrounding criminal legal matters. The court system and the criminal code sometimes feel as if they were purposely designed to intimidate ordinary people. There is also a lot on the line, including your freedom and your future. Given the complexity and importance of the matter at hand, it is critical that you reach out to and feel that you are able to rely on the advice of a skilled criminal defense attorney, someone who can guide you down a potentially treacherous path.

The criminal defense attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC have years of experience handling criminal matters in the Charlotte, Lake Norman area. Our lawyers work in and around Iredell County and know the ins and outs of the local court system. We have worked on cases defending clients on a wide array of legal issues, ranging from serious criminal charges to minor traffic infractions. Examples of some of the issues we have handled before include things like revocation of drivers licenses, speeding tickets, reckless endangerment charges, hearings before the DMV, DWI/DUI charges, BWI (not an uncommon charge on Lake Norman), underage drinking and expungements.

Beyond these issues, our attorneys have also defended clients against some other more severe criminal charges. For instance, our criminal defense attorneys have worked on cases concerning domestic violence (50B protective orders), cases involving violence such as assault, battery and manslaughter, property crimes like larceny, theft, burglary, and robbery, white-collar crimes like tax evasion and embezzlement, sexual offenses like assault, sodomy, indecent exposure and issues related to the sex offender registry.

Facing criminal charges can be nerve-wracking, there is no doubt about it. One way to help alleviate the anxiety is to better understand the process, shedding light on something that is often complex and follows complicated rules. So what happens if you are facing criminal charges? What next? Well, there are typically three different kinds of courts where your case could be handled. First, if you are facing traffic charges or a misdemeanor offense, the case will typically be handled in the local district court. The Iredell County District Court is divided further, into an administrative court and a trial court. The administrative court is where traffic issues are resolved, where pleas are accepted and where felony cases get their start. Trial courts are where misdemeanor cases are typically handled.

Another court to be aware of is the Superior Court. Superior Court is the highest trial court level in North Carolina and it is the place that the vast majority of felony criminal matters are ultimately handled. As we mentioned, felony cases begin in the district court, but they progress on to Superior Court unless the district attorney handling the case decides to lower the charge to a misdemeanor. For the felony case to be formally resolved, whether by plea or trial, it must happen in the Superior Court. What else happens in the Superior Court? Appeals. All appeals for the cases that were resolved in the District Court (such as misdemeanors and traffic cases) are heard in the Superior Court.

Finally, your case might also appear in federal court. Mooresville is located in the Western District of North Carolina, which has several federal courthouses. One is in Asheville, another in Charlotte and the last is in Iredell County, in Statesville. Federal courts and the judges sitting in them only hear cases that involve federal crimes. Some criminal offenses (like gun or drug crime) can be heard in either state or federal court, while other cases, like those involving federal tax fraud, will only be charged in federal court.

Thankfully, the lawyers at Arnold & Smith, PLLC have years of experiencing fighting on behalf of clients in all of the local courthouses. Whether your case is federal or state, whether it’s a misdemeanor or a felony, our attorneys have been down the road before and have the experience to advocate and guide you to the best resolution possible. If you are facing a criminal matter or fear you might be soon, please do not hesitate to reach out to one of our criminal defense attorneys. Let our lawyers put their years of experience to work for you and help craft the best possible defense for your case. Call Arnold & Smith, PLLC today for a free criminal defense consultation.