Spruce Pine Criminal Defense Lawyer

The goal of penalizing criminal activity is to punish those who commit crimes and to deter future criminal behavior. However, each crime is unique, and the punishments for each are not always straightforward. Worse, a conviction might have consequences beyond what the law considers justified. 

There are societal consequences to convictions as well. Though most individuals are concerned about jail and penalties, a criminal conviction may negatively impact many facets of your life.

A criminal conviction can have various consequences, including:

• Social stigmatization: A criminal conviction is accompanied by much stigma. Because criminal records are public, anyone may look up your criminal past and judge you for it. As a result, it may be more difficult for you to form relationships with others or participate actively in your community.
• Limited access to specific opportunities: You may be disqualified from some opportunities if you have a criminal record. Convictions can make you a less desirable candidate for jobs, housing, schools, and even volunteering. They might also disqualify you from receiving federal financial aid for college.
• Loss of custody and parenting rights: Your criminal record may affect your child custody rights. The court has the authority to evaluate a parent’s criminal background and the impact it may have on their capacity to raise a child in divorce cases. When a person with court-ordered child custody or other parenting rights is convicted of certain offenses, the family court may suspend their parenting time rights or grant temporary custody to someone else. 
• Loss of certain rights and liberties: You may lose specific rights depending on the crime you were convicted for. You may lose your right to vote, own a firearm, and others. If you have certain convictions, the State Department of Motor Vehicles may suspend your license.

Fees and incarceration aren’t the only consequences of a criminal. If you are convicted of your charges, it will likely impact every facet of your life. Talk to our trustworthy Spruce Pine criminal defense lawyer about your case to prevent this from happening.

Anyone who has been charged with a crime should be aware of how crimes are categorized. Understanding how your offense is classified and its stipulations are crucial to constructing your case. The difference between felonies and misdemeanors is the amount of time a person may spend in prison and the amount of money they can be fined. 

Essentially, the duration of the sentence and the total fine are proportional to the severity of the offense. Misdemeanors are typically minor offenses with less expensive fines and shorter sentences. They are often nonviolent, but that is not always the case. Felonies are severe crimes that cause severe harm and carry steep penalties like high fines and long sentences. If you are in need of an attorney, contact our Spruce Pine criminal defense law firm for legal help and representation for your case. 

It’s better if you don’t represent yourself as a defendant. An experienced Spruce Pine criminal defense attorney has the skills and experience to properly analyze the facts of your case to identify the best course of action for your defense. 

While specific facts about a case may be undeniable, a lawyer with an in-depth understanding of the law and your case could find aspects of your case that would allow you to receive reduced or dropped charges. Ultimately, how your arguments are constructed and presented have a significant influence on the outcome of your case. 

As the defendant, you may admit to committing the crime, causing the accident while driving while intoxicated, deny all charges, or agree that certain aspects of the prosecution’s account are true but inaccurate. Whatever your lawyer advises you to do, they likely have already formulated how they will use the information available to your advantage.