A Class A felony is first degree murder, punishable either by death or by life (without parole). B1 is the next series of crimes, and includes 1st Degree Forcible Rape, and 1st Degree Forcible Sex Offense.

B2 felonies are slightly less serious, including 2nd Degree Murder and Attempted First Degree Murder.

A B1 felony is among most serious felony in North Carolina for which the death penalty is not an option.

And if you are detained before trial,  it will either be at the Public Safety CenterThe Public Safety Center is the downtown jail operated by the Wake County Sheriff's Office at 330 South Salisbury Street in Raleigh. The PSCThe Public Safety Center is the downtown jail operated by the Wake County Sheriff's Office at 330 South Salisbury Street in Raleigh. The PSC currently houses CCBICCBI is Wake County's local crime lab. Housed in the Public Safety Center, it provides fingerprinting services, as well as support in crime scene investigations to law enforcement agencies in Wake County., magistrates, as well as the Sheriff's Offices and the Intox EC/IR II room where DWIA DWI is a Driving While Impaired offense. It is more commonly referred to as drunk driving. In North Carolina, the term DWI is used. In other states, the terms DUI or OUI may be used. North Carolina's DWI is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to three years in jail. suspects are usually brought for testing. currently houses CCBICCBI is Wake County's local crime lab. Housed in the Public Safety Center, it provides fingerprinting services, as well as support in crime scene investigations to law enforcement agencies in Wake County., magistrates, as well as the Sheriff's Offices and the Intox EC/IR II room where DWIA DWI is a Driving While Impaired offense. It is more commonly referred to as drunk driving. In North Carolina, the term DWI is used. In other states, the terms DUI or OUI may be used. North Carolina's DWI is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to three years in jail. suspects are usually brought for testing. on Salisbury Rd. or at one of the Annexes on Hammond Rd.

Consequently, criminal attorneys who need to be in court fairly regularly have offices around the courthouse. That makes it convenient for the lawyers, but not necessarily for the clients.

For years criminal lawyers have used flat-fee-billing.  The advantage of a flat-fee billing for the client is that the client knows precisely how much it will cost to hire the lawyer to do something for the client.  If it’s to negotiate a DUI 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. with the district attorneyA District Attorney is the represented of the State, usually elected by the people of a judicial district, to prosecute crimes on behalf of the State. The Wake County District Attorney is Colon Willoughby, Jr. A District Attorney usually has a staff, including assistant district attorneys who are the actual prosecutors who handle most of the day-to-day caseload., it might cost one amount.  If it’s to negotiate a 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. involving a homicide, it will cost a lot more.  And if it’s to go to trial, it will cost even more.  But the advantage is that the client knows what it will cost from the beginning.

This gives the client the comfort of knowing that, when the case is done, he isn’t going to be surprised with a bill he can’t pay.

This also gives the attorney the ability to adjust rates to accurately reflect the result being requested.  Instead of just spending hour after hour, and charging the client hour after hour in fees, the attorney can figure out generally how much time it takes him to do some service, and charge accordingly.

In addition, this gives the lawyer that comfort of knowing that the client can pay at the beginning of the case.  If the lawyer bills by the hour, and the hours simply add up, the attorney runs the risk that the attorney fees will be more than the client could possibly pay.

Flat fee criminal law and DUI law billing has been around for a long time.  Any criminal lawyer you should be able to tell you how much he will charge to handle your case.

I’ve received some inquiries from individuals who have had their licenses suspended in North Carolina, and have since moved out of state and have tried to get driving privileges in other states.

But, because of their North Carolina convictions and suspension, other states have refused to issue driver licenses. In the 1960s, beginning with Nevada, various states in the United States began to cooperate with regard to driving records.

Before the 1960s, each state operated as an island, and so each state could either honor or refuse to honor another state’s determinations about an individual’s driver license. But the Interstate Driver License Compact brought “harmony” to the system, so that states agreed to honor each others’ determinations about driving records.

In addition, the National Driver Register was created as a computerized database so that states could share information about individuals who had been convictedA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a 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. - of guilt. of serious driving offenses – such as DUI – or had had their licenses revoked or suspended.

Individuals can take actions to restore their licenses. First, they should complete any recommended or mandated sobriety or alcohol treatment programs. It is important that they retain any documentation proving that they were enrolled in, and successfully completed those programs.

It’s better to be overprepared rather than underprepared for such hearings, because of the expense and because there chances for success aren’t guaranteed.

A person seeking restoration of driving privileges in North Carolina, so that they can get a driver’s license in another state should provide a complete residential history (with address and at least one witness) dating from the time of the first DUI convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a 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. - of guilt.. In addition, they should be prepared to provide a complete criminal history, if any, and a complete work and education history.

The work history (name of employer, address, dates of employment) should include the name of a supervisor who can be contacted, as well as any co-workers who might serve as good witnesses. The education history should also be complete, with dates of enrollment, degrees or certificates earned, and any academic awards or achievements. In addition, if the person has worked for charities, regularly helps out at his or her church, or has other evidence of good citizenship or character, this can be useful to show someone who has been sober and is contributing to society.

North Carolina will also require that they provide at least three witnesses who can credibly testify at a restoration hearing about the person’s sobriety and ability to drive safely.

Finally, a word of caution. Many young people have Facebook or MySpace pages, where friends my refer to partying or drinking on the person’s “Wall.”

These pages could potentially be accessed by a hearing officer who might think that pictures of partying, drinking, or comments about the same indicate that the person still has a problem with drugs or alcohol. It’s best to think carefully about what goes on such pages, and to restrict friends from commenting if such comments give the wrong impression.

The Chetson Firm can work with clients who live out of state to put together the best package of materials that will increase the chance for success, and minimize that need to return multiple times to North Carolina for hearings.

In 1978, a retired Iowa police officer was killed while working as an off-duty security guard. Prosecutors in Iowa, working with police, manufactured evidence against the two main suspects. Both were convictedA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a 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. - of guilt. of murder and sentenced to life without parole, but a subsequent investigation in the 1990s revealed the misconduct.

The Iowa Supreme Court set aside both convictions in 2003, after the men had served 25 years for crimes they did not commit. In an attempt to get something for being wrongly convictedA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a 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. - of guilt. and suffering 25 years in jail, they attempted to sue the prosecutors, alleging willful misconduct.

In a 1976 case the Supreme Court seemed to create absolute immunity for prosecutors, even those who engage in willful misconduct. The prosecutors in this case claim that government prosecutors, in effect, have the ability to lie, coerce witnesses, and make up testimony, without facing any civil liability for their actions.

If the Supreme Court buys this argument it would severely limit the remedies available to wrongfully convictedA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a 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. - of guilt. individuals.

North Carolina has had its own experience with wrongful or allegedly wrongful convictions. Darryl Hunt spent 19 years in jail for a crime he did not commit.

In another case, a three judge panel in Wake County will review Greg Taylor’s convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a 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. - of guilt. for murder in 1993. In that case, another man – Craig Taylor – has confessed to the crime. No prosecutorial misconduct has been alleged in this case.