Violent Crimes

North Carolina recognizes several different violent crimes. The punishments for violent crimes depend on the type and severity of the crime. In North Carolina, violent crimes include crimes ranging from assault and battery to homicide. If you are facing charges for a Charlotte violent crime, your freedom, future, reputation, and perhaps your life may be on the line. You might be facing the possibility of years in prison along with other potential punishments, including steep fines. Contact the skilled violent crimes lawyers at Arnold & Smith, PLLC today to schedule your initial consultation.

Many violent crimes happen when regular situations get out of hand. In a moment of emotion or passion, it is possible for otherwise responsible people to commit a violent crime. Violent crimes are among the most serious types of crimes in North Carolina. Charlotte violent crimes include the following:

• Rape
• Sexual Assault
• Aggravated Assault
• Domestic Violence or Assault on a Female
• Child Abuse
• Simple assault and battery
• Assault by strangulation
• Gun or weapons violations
• Threats of terrorism
• Murder/homicide
• Manslaughter

If you or a loved one have been arrested for manslaughter, murder, or a homicide, you need to speak with a skilled lawyer as soon as possible. Your life and freedom are on the line. Some murder charges result in sentences of life in prison. From the outset of learning that you are facing murder charges, it is essential to have an experienced lawyer fighting on your behalf.

First-degree murder is the most serious type of murder and can result in a sentence of life in prison. First-degree murder includes any deliberate, willful, and premeditating killing of another person. Suspects in North Carolina can also face felony murder charges. In a felony murder case, the defendant committed a murder in the attempted perpetration or perpetration of a felony, such as rape, arson, robbery, burglary, or kidnapping. A suspect can face first-degree murder charges under several different legal theories:

• Poisoning
• Lying in wait
• Imprisonment
• Starving
• Torture
• Gun violence
• Stabbings

Second-degree murder happens when a murder is not premeditated or deliberate. When a suspect engages in an inherently dangerous act or omission, he or she can face a second-degree murder charge. Additionally, when a suspect behaves in a wanton or reckless manner without regard to human life, he or she could face second-degree murder charges. Finally, when the victim's death is caused by the unlawful distribution of opium, cocaine, or methamphetamine, and the ingestion caused the death, the distributor of the drugs can face second-degree murder charges.

North Carolina prosecutors have a duty to prove every element of the alleged crime to secure a conviction. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC, our lawyers will thoroughly examine the prosecution's theory of the case. We also examine any evidence the prosecution has gathered against you. After conducting our own investigation, we will develop a compelling legal defense strategy. Your legal defense against violent crime charges may be based on a variety of factors, to include:

• False witness testimony
• False accusations
• Self-defense or defense of others
• A faulty suspect lineup
• Mistaken identity
• Establishing an alibi
• Faulty forensic testing methods, such as faulty rape kit or DNA
• testing
• New DNA evidence
• Bias against a suspect from police or prosecution bias

As we uncover evidence in our investigation of your case, we will develop your legal strategy. We will build a defense after we discover potential flaws in the prosecution's case. We often uncover the following problems with the prosecution's case:

• Contradictions or flaws in the prosecution's case
• Unreliable prosecution witnesses
• The discovery of witnesses who will testify in your favor
• Experts witnesses who testify against the prosecution's evidence

When possible, we negotiate with prosecutors before taking the case to trial. In many cases, prosecutors are willing to offer a plea deal in which the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge. In some cases, prosecutors may even dismiss charges before trial.

We have extensive experience negotiating resolutions with prosecutors. We often suggest solutions that will help the defendant have less serious punishments and penalties. When negotiation does not work or becomes impossible, we will defend the client throughout the criminal trial. Our lawyers are trial-ready and have extensive experience in the courtroom. This experience is particularly valuable in violent crime trials which can become publicized and can be an intense process.