In the mid-1990s North Carolina created a structured sentencingStructured sentencing replaced Fair Sentencing in 1994. It created a felony sentencing chart and a misdemeanor sentencing chart in which most, but not all, punishments are imposed according to the level of the crime, and the individual’s prior record level. system for misdemeanors and felonies committed after…

Someone asked me a few weeks ago whether I was really intending to help him with his case, or whether I was just eager to get it over with.  This was after I had recommended the pleaA pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. agreementA pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges. An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution…

I often get this question from clients or potential clients: The police are investigating a crime.  They want to talk to me.  They’ve called my house, asking me to go down to the police.  I’ve got nothing to hide.  Should I go down to talk to police. The answer is general no. I don’t care…

So you think you might be in trouble.  And you think you need a lawyer.  Do you?  The answer is: better safe that sorry.  Look, no one wants to waste money, especially on an lawyer. But talking to a lawyer is absolutely crucial early in a case.  I’ve talked to a number of potential clients…