Wilmington, NC Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you face criminal charges in Wilmington, NC, there’s too much at stake for you not to hire a lawyer. The consequences of a conviction can ruin your life.

Additionally, the government has massive resources to prosecute cases, and you must follow complicated rules and procedures. You need someone at your side who knows how prosecutors think and how to help you avoid the many legal traps in your path.

The experienced criminal defense attorneys at The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A., have three generations of experience representing people facing legal challenges. We’re here to protect your rights. We can handle all the legal work in your case, from explaining your charges and gathering evidence to negotiating with prosecutors and arguing on your behalf in court.

Whether it’s for violent crimes or fraud, you have no time to waste if you want to avoid the worst outcome in your situation. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.

What Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do for You?

When you hire us to defend you against criminal charges, our job is to simplify the legal process and help you make informed decisions. We can do this in the following ways:

• Explaining your charges – We will describe the charges you face and the possible penalties in plain terms.
• Investigating the alleged offense – We can review police records, witness accounts, forensic tests, surveillance footage, and other evidence to understand what happened and look for weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
• Communicating with the police and prosecutors – Anything you say to the police or prosecutors could hurt your case, no matter how it appears to you. We can handle all communication with the police and prosecutors to protect your rights and defense.
• Negotiating for reduced charges or penalties – Most Wilmington criminal cases don’t go to trial, as juries and outcomes are often unpredictable. We can negotiate with prosecutors to seek a reduction of your charges and penalties and advise you on whether a plea deal is your best option.
• Representing you in court – While your case might not go to trial, you will likely have to attend multiple court hearings. We’ll represent your interests, handle courtroom procedures, and make sure the prosecution doesn’t violate your rights.

 

What Cases Do Our Wilmington Criminal Defense Lawyers Handle?

Some charges that our criminal defense attorneys at The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A., can help you with include the following:

• Traffic violations – Fines and points on your license due to traffic violations can add up quickly and keep you from driving. We can examine the evidence to cast doubt on whether you committed the offense, or we might negotiate for reduced charges to protect your driving privileges.
• DWI/DUI – We can examine the initial traffic stop leading to your arrest, the blood or breath tests, medical conditions that may have affected your test results, and other evidence to help you avoid the harmful effects of a DWI/DUI conviction.
• Domestic violence – Domestic violence convictions can have severe consequences, including jail time and loss of custody rights. Possible defenses in these cases include casting doubt on your accuser’s account, showing you acted in self-defense, or identifying violations of your civil rights.
• Drug crimes – We handle drug cases in Wilmington, from minor possession cases to more serious charges involving drug trafficking or manufacturing. Depending on the facts of the case, your defense might involve showing you didn’t possess the drug, arguing to dismiss illegally obtained evidence, or negotiating for reduced charges.
• Theft crimes – Burglary, robbery, and other theft crimes carry harsh penalties in North Carolina. We can help you argue that the allegedly stolen property belonged to you or that the value of the stolen items isn’t what the police say, which can lead to reduced charges and penalties.
• White-collar crimes – North Carolina authorities devote significant resources to prosecuting those accused of fraud, embezzlement, and other white-collar crimes. These cases often involve highly technical evidence. We can consult financial professionals to dispute the prosecution’s account.

What Is the Difference Between a Misdemeanor and a Felony in North Carolina?

Criminal charges in North Carolina fall into two categories — misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanor charges carry less harsh penalties than felonies.

For example, the most severe type of misdemeanor in North Carolina is an A1 misdemeanor. It carries a maximum sentence of 150 days in jail. In contrast, a Class A felony carries a maximum sentence of life in prison or the death penalty. Even lower-level felonies can still send you to prison for decades.

Misdemeanors are also easier to expunge from your records, and you might serve your sentence for a misdemeanor in a local jail instead of a state prison. Still, a misdemeanor conviction can have catastrophic consequences on your life. So, make sure you take the charge seriously.

What Are Common Defenses to Criminal Charges?

Depending on your charge and the evidence against you, your defense strategy could involve the following:

• Challenging an illegal search or seizure
• Pointing out weak or missing evidence
• Questioning whether the police followed proper procedures
• Showing that the police misidentified you as the perpetrator or relied on unreliable witness testimony
• Proving you acted in self-defense or defense of others.

Can You Get Your Criminal Charges Expunged in North Carolina?

North Carolina law allows you to expunge some criminal charges from your record. However, not all charges qualify for relief. For instance, most felonies don’t qualify for expungement, nor do drunk driving offenses. The expungement process can also be complicated and time-consuming. So, you’ll need legal help to remove these charges from your record.

Does the Military Handle Criminal Charges Differently for Service Members?

The military often handles criminal charges differently for service members. A service member may face discipline through a command process, nonjudicial punishment, or a court-martial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Service members may also face charges in civilian court, depending on where the incident happened and who had authority over the case. Our criminal defense attorneys have extensive experience with military trials and can guide you through the legal process from start to finish.

Contact a Wilmington, NC Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

Our Wilmington, NC, criminal defense lawyers have decades of collective experience. Our deep knowledge of the criminal justice system helps us to be effective advocates on your behalf. You can talk to your attorney from our firm whenever you have questions or concerns. Our client reviews reflect our commitment to customer service.

If you need legal help for a criminal charge, call The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A., today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.