Raleigh Criminal Defense Attorney

 

Whether poor judgment, mistaken identity, or other circumstances led to your arrest, you could encounter a long, complicated road through the North Carolina criminal process.

You do have rights, but they may not be as clear as your Miranda warnings. While you have the right to remain silent and to retain a Raleigh criminal defense attorney, these issues are just the beginning of your concerns when trying to navigate a criminal case. The consequences of a conviction are much worse, as you could face a lengthy term of incarceration, fines, probation, and other sanctions. You could also lose your job or professional license, encounter restrictions on where you’re able to live, and other effects.

If you’ve been charged with a crime and the outlook is bleak, it’s important to realize that you don’t have to take on the burden of your defense alone. Raleigh criminal attorney Jonathan Breeden is a skilled, criminal defense lawyer who can help you tackle the legal issues that affect your constitutional rights and freedoms. To schedule an initial case consultation, contact us today at (919) 480-8005.

Comprehensive Defense Services in All Areas of North Carolina Criminal Law

Jonathan Breeden is equipped to tackle a wide range of North Carolina criminal cases, including:

DWI

State law severely punishes motorists who drive while intoxicated, but there are defenses and strategies to reduce the harsh implications of a conviction.

Traffic Tickets and Driving Violations

While many traffic offenses are punishable by fines or points on your driving record, a serious violation can be a crime. A traffic ticket defense attorney can help you retain your license and prevent your insurance rates from increasing due to a ticket.

Drug Crimes

Despite efforts across the U.S. to decriminalize or legalize marijuana, possession remains a crime in North Carolina. The state vigorously pursues drug charges involving other controlled substances and any offenses involving trafficking. Contact a Raleigh criminal defense attorney to learn more about the drug offenses you can face in North Carolina.

Weapons Charges

Law enforcement has been cracking down on illegal possession and carrying firearms and other deadly weapons, but you’re still entitled to your day in court. Weapons crimes can be extremely complicated because there’s a distinction between possessing one or failing to obtain a permit, as compared to using one in connection with committing another offense.

Sex Crimes

A conviction for a sexual offense remains part of your permanent criminal record, which is why it’s critical to present a solid defense from the start. Unfortunately, inaccurate information and dishonesty may prevent you from getting a fair trial, unless you have a criminal attorney who will aggressively protect your rights.

Theft Offenses

At its core, theft is taking something that doesn’t belong to you. However, the subtleties of different North Carolina theft crimes make these cases extremely difficult to defend if you don’t have legal experience. Depending on the value of the property, whether a weapon was involved, where the offense allegedly occurred, and other factors, you could face misdemeanor or felony charges.

Assault and Battery

Like theft, there are various levels of assault and battery crimes in North Carolina. If you’re charged with using a firearm or other deadly weapon in connection with committing one of these offenses, a judge’s sentence can be extremely harsh.

In some situations, you may face unique charges or penalties that only an experienced defense lawyer can address. For example, juvenile crimes are handled differently than criminal cases involving adults. North Carolina law approaches these matters as an opportunity to divert young people towards a more responsible path, but the eligibility rules and procedures can be complex. A Raleigh criminal defense attorney can help you navigate the legal landscape.

There is a multitude of college and university students who can get into trouble with crimes that are relatively minor in the Raleigh area. Underage drinking and using a fake ID are punishable by both the criminal process and through the school disciplinary system. With help from a lawyer, you can minimize your exposure to criminal sanctions and punishments levied by an educational institution.

Penalties and Consequences of a Criminal Conviction

There are serious short and long-term implications if you are convicted of a crime, whether you’re facing felony or misdemeanor charges. Some of the harsher consequences of a criminal conviction include:

  • Being sentenced to incarceration in jail or prison
  • Hefty fines, court costs, and processing fees
  • Probation
  • Attending and completing court-approved substance abuse treatment
  • Driver’s license suspension or revocation
  • Having to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on your vehicle
  • Severe implications for your immigration status
  • Registration as a sex offender

Though these criminal penalties may seem extreme, you should keep in mind that other consequences affect your life, including:

  • A criminal record affecting your employment options
  • Difficulty finding somewhere to live
  • The loss or denial of a professional license
  • An increase in your car insurance premiums

When you retain a skilled criminal justice lawyer, you are in a better position to obtain a favorable outcome in regards to the consequences of a conviction. Attorney Jonathan Breeden will take advantage of every opportunity to have the charges dismissed, so you don’t face these severe penalties. If he can’t convince the court to dismiss, he will work to reduce the charges. Depending on the circumstances and legal factors surrounding your case, you may be able to avoid some of the most severe sanctions.

An Experienced Raleigh Criminal Defense Attorney Will Fight for Your Rights

Regardless of the crime, you do still enjoy legal protections as designated by the U.S. Constitution and North Carolina’s Declaration of Rights. One of the most fundamental civil liberties is that to gain a conviction, a prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty of an offense. In addition, you have rights against self-incrimination, and you’re protected against unlawful searches and seizures by law enforcement.

Still, possessing these civil liberties and enforcing them are two separate matters. Without a legal background, you may not know how and when to assert your Fifth Amendment right regarding self-incrimination. Even though you may believe the evidence against you was obtained in violation of search and seizure laws, you may not be aware of how to raise these issues in court. Under the circumstances, a prosecutor would have no problem proving you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and requesting the most severe criminal penalties as punishment.

Criminal law attorney Jonathan Breeden has the knowledge and experience to fight for your rights and ensure justice is served in your case. He knows how to enforce laws regarding self-incrimination, so he can request the court to toss out improperly-obtained statements you may have given to police. He is adept at all types of motion practice and employing procedural tools to bring in or keep out key evidence. Law enforcement officers may make mistakes, and he will draw them to the attention of the court by using:

  • Motions to compel, which can be used to force prosecutors or police to turn over information they’re withholding and that could exonerate you.
  • Motions to exclude, where you seek to have the judge find illegally-obtained evidence inadmissible in court.
  • Motions to dismiss, which ask the court to drop the charges because the state cannot meet its burden.

In addition, attorney Breeden is persistent in delving into the evidence, laws, and procedural rules, enabling him to identify and attack weaknesses in the case against you. A weakness can be the equivalent of reasonable doubt in the mind of a judge or jury, providing you with an advantage in defending the charges. He will analyze the investigation process, questioning by police, procedures by law enforcement, and every other aspect of your case.

Call Now to Speak to a Dedicated Raleigh Criminal Defense Attorney

Criminal cases involve very technical issues, and the stakes are high no matter what charges you’re facing. You could be sentenced to jail or prison time, steep fines, probation, community service, and other forms of punishment. Worse, you’re looking at life-long implications for a permanent criminal record, and additional consequences if you’re convicted of a sex crime.

When you retain the counsel of criminal defense lawyer Jonathan Breeden, you gain peace of mind knowing that your case is in good hands. His experience and courtroom skills have proven beneficial in numerous criminal cases.

You likely have questions about your situation. To schedule a consultation of your case, please contact Breeden Law Office right away at (919) 480-8005. You can also visit our website to schedule an appointment with Raleigh criminal defense attorney Jonathan Breeden.

Call Breeden Law Office today:

Call (919) 480-8005
 
 

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