Cornelius Misdemeanor Lawyer

A misdemeanor is often defined as a punishable offense under criminal law. While a number of offenses can result in a misdemeanor charge in Cornelius, some of the more common ones include the following:  

• Child abuse
• Carrying a concealed weapon
• Assault with a deadly weapon
• Simple assault and assault on a female
• Marijuana possession
• Concealment of goods or shoplifting
• Possession of stolen goods
• Drug paraphernalia possession
• Underage drinking
• Resisting a law enforcement officer

Misdemeanors are usually punishable by less than 12 months in jail. However, the Court can also issue other punishments as well, such as probation and fines.

In Cornelius, misdemeanors are usually categorized as Class A1, Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3, each with varying degrees of punishment. 

• Class A1 Misdemeanors: These misdemeanors are the most serious. Those charged with this type of misdemeanor tend to face a maximum penalty of 150 days in jail, as well as a fine that may be imposed at the discretion of the Court.
• Class 1 Misdemeanors: Individuals facing a Class 1 misdemeanor may be subject to a maximum penalty of 120 days in jail, as well as a fee that may be imposed at the discretion of the Court.
• Class 2 Misdemeanors: An individual charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor may face a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a fee that may be imposed at the discretion of the Court, although the fine may not exceed $1,000.
• Class 3 Misdemeanors: Those charged with a Class 3 misdemeanor can face a maximum penalty of 20 days in jail and a fine that may be imposed at the discretion of the Court, although the fine may not exceed $200.

Depending on the offense, a judge can also exercise their discretion by imposing further terms when handing down a sentence. These additional punishments can include:

• House arrest
• Electronic monitoring 
• Community service
• Special probation
• Drug treatments, substance abuse treatments, assessment and monitoring
• Development programs

It should also be noted that community punishments will usually not involve jail time. Rather, they will include a supervised or unsupervised probation or only a fine. These punishments are most frequently given out by the Court for a Class 3, Level 1 misdemeanor. However, to learn more about your legal options following a misdemeanor charge or what possible penalties you might face, consider speaking with a skilled Cornelius misdemeanor attorney as soon as possible and see how these legal professionals can help you. 

In North Carolina, individuals found guilty of a misdemeanor offense will be penalized based on the seriousness of the charge and their previous criminal history. In terms of a person’s previous record, there are three levels. Those without any prior criminal record are categorized as Level I for sentencing. Individuals with one to four past convictions fall under Level II, while those with five or more previous convictions fall under Level III.

When deciding the appropriate punishment for a misdemeanor conviction in Cornelius, a judge must take into account both the class of the misdemeanor and the convicted person’s prior criminal record. The individual’s prior convictions greatly influence the severity of punishment for a current conviction.

It is not uncommon for individuals to forego legal representation when facing a misdemeanor charge in Cornelius and end up putting themselves at a disadvantage. Even though misdemeanors may appear to be minor legal issues, they are taken seriously by prosecutors and the courts. Potential employers, schools, training programs, landlords, and financial institutions also regard misdemeanors seriously. In fact, a misdemeanor on your record could pose a significant obstacle to carrying out your dreams, such as obtaining an education, building a career, and establishing a home.

That is why it is important that if you are facing a misdemeanor charge, you reach out to a knowledgeable Cornelius misdemeanor lawyer as soon as possible. The earlier a Cornelius misdemeanor attorney can start working on your case, the better. Once hired, these Cornelius misdemeanor lawyers can begin pursuing the best possible outcome on your behalf. However, if these legal professionals are hired too late in the process, it can become challenging to get you the result you could have achieved had the Cornelius misdemeanor attorneys started on your case earlier.