What Is A Felony?
A felony is a very serious criminal charge in North Carolina. Some of these felonies include, but are not limited, to the following criminal charges:
- Possession of Cocaine
- Possession of Marijuana
- Possession of Heroin
- Possession with the Intent to Sell/Deliver Marijuana (PWISD Marijuana)
- Possession with the Intent to Sell/Deliver Cocaine (PWISD Cocaine)
- Sell/Deliver a Controlled Substance
- Conspiracy
- Trafficking Marijuana, Cocaine, or Heroin
- Felony Larceny
- Felony Possession of Stolen Goods
- Obtaining Property by False Pretenses
- Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
- Felony Assault
Potential Consequences
There is no such thing as a “typical” sentence for North Carolina felonies. Each case depends on the seriousness of the charge and the criminal record of the accused. Sentences vary from fines and unsupervised probation to years of prison time. Felony charges are categorized in classes, with a Class A which is the most serious, down to a Class J, which is the least serious.
Have you been convicted of a felony before?
There are strict laws that punish repeat offenders, so it is important that you know what punishment you could be facing in your particular criminal case. In North Carolina, a habitual felon law (“three strikes”) increases the punishment for someone’s fourth (or more) felony conviction. North Carolina also has a less-common violent habitual felon law, which imposes a life sentence for a second violent felony.
Generally, the consequences for a felony versus a misdemeanor are harsher, resulting in the loss of certain citizenship rights – including the right to vote and the right to hold public office. These rights can be restored once a prison sentence ends or probation is successfully completed. In addition, a person who is a convicted felon may never possess a firearm, or ammunition for a firearm, ever again. If the person does, they will be liable for up to 10 years in federal prison for possessing something as simple as a shotgun shell.
At Greene Wilson Crow & Smith, Our Criminal Defense Attorneys Are Dedicated to the Protection of Our Clients’ Constitutional Freedoms and Respect for Their Individual Circumstances.
We’re here to guide you through the complicated, frightening, and often frustrating process known as the criminal justice system. We provide criminal law services at all levels in eastern North Carolina, including misdemeanor and felony trial defense, and post-conviction appellate work in both state and federal court. Contact us now for a consultation.
Greene Wilson Crow & Smith, PA helps residents of NC with felony defense including those located in New Bern, Pamlico County, and Craven County.