Generally, North Carolina law has abjured the use of special sentencing enhancements for most crimes. In our structured sentencing system, if convicted of a crime, a defendant is sentenced in the presumptive, unless the state can prove that aggravating factors outweigh mitigating factors or the defense can prove mitigating factors outweigh aggravating factors. (DWIs and…
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In North Carolina, since the mid-1990s, the state has had a structured sentencing system for crimes. Felonies are categorized by letter (A through I). Misdemeanors are handled separately, and categorized by (A1 – most serious – to Class 3). A Class A felony is first degree murder, punishable either by death or by life (without…
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