Fayetteville Felony Defense Lawyer
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WHAT IF I HAVE BEEN CHRAGED WITH A FELONY?
When faced with criminal charges, understanding the distinction between misdemeanors and felonies is important. Gary Britt Law in Fayetteville, North Carolina is here to help you when you need a criminal defense attorney.
When compared to misdemeanors, felonies are more severe offenses and come with stiffer penalties. When charged with any crime – but especially with felonies – it is important to have an experienced criminal defense attorney like Gary Britt Law to help craft and implement a robust defense strategy to protect you and your rights.
Classification
North Carolina classifies felonies from Class A to Class I, with Class A being the most serious, often including crimes like murder. These classifications are used to determine the punishment for the crime by taking the classification and the person’s criminal record into account to find what type of punishment is allowed by law if convicted.
Penalties
Depending on the classification and the circumstances, felony convictions can lead to significant fines and lengthy prison sentences. A Class A felony, for example, can result in life imprisonment without parole or even the death penalty whereas a Class I felony could result in a fine with a probationary sentence and possibly even a chance to have the charge dismissed even if you plead guilty.
Apart from the legal repercussions, a felony can have lifelong implications on employment, housing, and even civic rights. While misdemeanors can have their own set of challenges, the societal and personal consequences of a felony can alter the trajectory of one’s life permanently.
IMPORTANCE OF A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY LIKE GARY BRITT LAW
The importance of professional, experienced, knowledgeable criminal defense attorney at every stage of the criminal process cannot be overstated, and it is that much more important when you are charged with a felony. As a seasoned criminal defense attorney in Fayetteville, North Carolina who has spent his entire career in North Carolina, Gary Britt Law is a trusted source for a well-informed and proactive defense.
Here’s why having a criminal defense attorney like Gary Britt Law is essential:
Knowledge and Experience
Legal procedures can be complex, and understanding them requires in-depth knowledge and experience. Having an attorney by your side ensures that you’re aware of all your rights and options at every stage of the process, and you’re not left vulnerable to potential pitfalls or oversights.
Protection of Rights
From the moment of arrest through trial, your constitutional rights must be upheld. An attorney can ensure law enforcement and the prosecution are held to the strict standards of the law, guarding against illegal searches, coerced confessions, or unfair treatment.
Strategic Defense
Building a strong defense strategy involves thorough investigation, being able to understand and apply the law, and having the ability to spot and challenge any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. An attorney can uncover inaccuracies or weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence, cross-examine their witnesses critically, and present your side of the story convincingly.
Plea Negotiation
An attorney’s role is crucial in plea negotiations. Experienced counsel can often secure more favorable plea agreements, reducing charges or negotiating lesser sentences. They have the legal knowledge to evaluate if a plea deal is in your best interest considering the strengths or weaknesses of your case.
Mitigation of Consequences
Even in the event of a conviction, an attorney can argue for a lesser sentence by highlighting mitigating circumstances, your character, and potential for rehabilitation. They can also guide you through the process of appealing the conviction or sentence.
Guidance and Support
Legal proceedings can be emotionally taxing. Having a dedicated attorney ensures you have a support system in place. Gary Britt Law provides not just legal counsel, but emotional support, ensuring you’re not alone during this challenging time.
Having Gary Britt Law represent you means you have a devoted, experienced, and tenacious advocate on your side, committed to ensuring the best possible outcome for you at every stage of the criminal process in North Carolina.
HOW DO CRIMINAL CASES WORK WHEN A FELONY IS INVOLVED?
Although no two cases are alike, there are certain things and stages one will encounter and experienced when facing felony criminal charges.
Charging Stage
The process begins with the charging stage where the police or a complainant alleges a felony crime has occurred. They gather preliminary evidence and present it to a prosecutor or directly to a grand jury. The prosecutor then decides whether there’s enough evidence to charge you formally. If charged, you’ll be arrested and taken into custody. This stage is crucial as it forms the basis of the legal proceedings. As your attorney, I will immediately start reviewing the charges and the manner in which the evidence was obtained to ensure your rights were not violated.
First Appearance and Bond Hearing
Following your arrest, a series of pretrial proceedings take place. These include your first appearance when the court inquires about whether or not you would like to hire an attorney; bail / bond hearings in which we seek to lower the amount of your bond or change the conditions of your release so that you can be free on bond pending the resolution of your case.
Discovery and Investigation
This is the phase where both the defense and the prosecution share the evidence they’ve gathered. With Gary Britt Law as your criminal defense attorney, you can be sure I will meticulously scrutinize every piece of evidence, investigate independently to unearth any potentially exculpatory evidence, and begin building a strong, comprehensive defense strategy.
Preliminary Motions
In certain situations, we may need to file motions to suppress or exclude certain types of evidence because your constitutional rights were violated and/or law enforcement did not follow proper procedure. You can be certain that with Gary Britt Law you will have a criminal defense attorney who will be dedicated to protecting your rights.
Plea Negotiation
In some cases, it may be beneficial to negotiate a plea deal with the prosecution, which can lead to lesser charges or reduced sentencing. Each case is unique, and I will advise you on the best course of action, always keeping your best interests in mind.
Trial
If a plea agreement isn’t reached or isn’t in your best interest and the case is not dismissed, your case will go to trial. The prosecution must prove your guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.” As your attorney, I will vigorously challenge the prosecution’s case. I’ll cross-examine their witnesses, challenge the validity of their evidence, and present our own witnesses and evidence to ensure your side of the story is heard to show how the state has not met its burden of proof.
Sentencing
If you are convicted, the judge will determine your sentence based on several factors, including the severity of the crime, your criminal history, and any aggravating or mitigating factors. I will prepare far in advance and advocate for you tirelessly at this stage, presenting all mitigating circumstances and arguing for the most lenient sentence possible.
Appeals
Post-conviction, we can consider the potential for an appeal if there were legal errors that could have impacted the verdict or your sentence. Gary Britt Law will closely examine the proceedings to identify any grounds for appeal and will advise you accordingly.
Throughout every step of the criminal legal process, with Gary Britt Law of Fayetteville, North Carolina as your criminal defense attorney, you can be sure I will provide rigorous, dedicated representation aimed at protecting your rights and securing the best possible outcome.
HOW CAN A FELONY CONVICTION AFFECT MY LIFE?
Understanding the broader implications of a felony conviction is crucial to fully grasp the challenges you may face beyond the immediate legal penalties. With Gary Britt Law, you will have a seasoned, experienced criminal defense attorney in Fayetteville, North Carolina, who understands and can explain these potential ancillary consequences for felony convictions.
Employment
A felony conviction can significantly impact your career prospects. Employers often perform comprehensive background checks, and a felony on your record could lead to difficulties in securing a job. Certain professions may be entirely inaccessible for individuals with a felony record. My job is to help mitigate this risk as much as possible.
Housing
Just as with employment, landlords can and often do perform background checks. A felony conviction can limit your housing options, as some landlords might be hesitant to rent to someone with a criminal record. My aim is to ensure you are not unduly disadvantaged in this area. Some housing programs and development may be entirely off-limits to you if you are convicted of a felony.
Professional Licenses
Felony convictions may lead to the suspension or revocation of professional licenses, affecting careers in areas such as medicine, law, education, and many others. With Gary Britt Law as your criminal defense attorney, you can be sure I will be there to help you explore all available options to limit the impact on your professional licensing status.
Education
A felony conviction can affect your education opportunities. Some colleges and universities may reject applications from prospective students with felony records. Financial aid
eligibility may also be affected. Gary Britt Law committed to helping safeguard your educational prospects so that you can improve your life.
Immigration
If you are not a United States citizen, a felony conviction can have drastic consequences for your immigration status. Certain felonies could result in deportation or hinder your ability to become a naturalized citizen, and if you are an United States citizen, your ability o travel outside of the United States will be limited significantly because most nations do not allow convicted felons to come through their borders.
Civil Rights
Felony convictions in North Carolina can lead to the loss of certain civil rights, including the right to vote or possess a firearm and the loss of the right to vote until your sentence is completed in full. My team and I will help you understand these consequences and guide you through the process of rights restoration where possible.
CONATACT GARY BRITT LAW TODAY
At Gary Britt Law, you will have a criminal defense attorney dedicated to providing comprehensive legal counsel during this challenging time. With years of experience throughout North Carolina and in particular the Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and Fort Bragg / Fort Liberty areas. If you’re facing a felony charge, my team and I will work relentlessly to not just fight your case in court, but also to mitigate these potential ancillary impacts, ensuring your rights and future are protected to the fullest extent possible. Contact Gary Britt Law today so that we can discuss how to best protect you and your future.