Raleigh Misdemeanor Defense lawyer
Strategic criminal defense for misdemeanor charges in Raleigh and throughout Wake County.
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John McWilliam Has The Experience You Want To Defend You
If You’ve Been Charged With A Misdemeanor in Wake County, Contact John McWilliams, PLLC
If you have been arrested or charged with a misdemeanor in Raleigh or elsewhere in Wake County, speaking with a criminal defense lawyer early can give you more time to understand the charge and consider the options available to you.
Misdemeanor charges such as larceny, assault on a female, marijuana possession, and other offenses should be taken seriously. However, being charged does not mean the outcome of your case has already been decided.
Depending on the facts, there may be opportunities to challenge the evidence, negotiate with the State, participate in an available program, seek a reduced charge, or take the case to trial.
The sooner you have an attorney reviewing your case, the sooner you can begin pursuing the strongest available path forward.
John McWilliam Has the Experience You Want to Defend You
John McWilliam has been defending people accused of crimes in Raleigh and throughout Wake County since 1993.
Although misdemeanors are less serious than felonies, they can still affect your record and other areas of your life. This may be especially concerning for younger people facing charges related to underage drinking or another first-time offense.
Having an experienced attorney on your side gives you someone who can review the allegations, explain the court process, and look for programs, negotiation strategies, or defenses that may improve the outcome of your case.
John knows how to navigate the Wake County court system and how to approach misdemeanor cases based on their individual facts. His first question is not simply what penalty a person may face. It is what can be done to challenge the charge and protect the client.
To discuss your case, complete the contact form or call 919-772-4000 to schedule a free consultation.
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Contact John McWilliam, PLLC, for Misdemeanor Charges in Wake County
John McWilliam’s Misdemeanor Defense Background
John McWilliam has defended misdemeanor cases in Raleigh and throughout Wake County since 1993. He approaches each case by looking for weaknesses in the State’s evidence, preparing for trial, and pursuing the best available outcome for his client.
Understanding Misdemeanor Charges in North Carolina
Misdemeanors make up more than 80 percent of the crimes charged in North Carolina. Although they are considered less serious than felonies, misdemeanor charges can still result in a criminal record and possible jail time.
The severity of a misdemeanor varies widely. Certain speeding offenses may be misdemeanors, and so is Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, but the possible penalties are not the same.
How North Carolina Misdemeanor Sentencing Has Changed
Misdemeanors in North Carolina were once defined as crimes punishable by no more than two years of active time. Under the former Fair Sentencing law, active sentences were automatically reduced, and defendants could reduce their time further through good behavior and other activities while incarcerated.
In 1994, North Carolina adopted Structured Sentencing and divided misdemeanors into four classes. Class A1 misdemeanors carry the highest maximum active sentence at 150 days.
The laws surrounding Driving While License Revoked have also changed. Some DWLR charges are now treated as non-moving violations.
DWI cases are still classified as misdemeanors in many circumstances, although the possible sentences may be more serious than those connected with other misdemeanor charges.
An Every-Case-Is-for-Trial Approach
John McWilliam goes to court every morning and afternoon, five days a week, and handles anywhere from seven or eight to 20 or more misdemeanor cases per day.
From DWI to Simple Assault, from Assault on a Female to Possession of Marijuana, and from Larceny to Driving While License Revoked, McWilliam approaches each case with the same question:
How can I get my client out of this charge?
He first considers whether the State can prove its case. Only when he believes the State has sufficient evidence does he turn toward negotiation.
Finding Opportunities in the State’s Case
There are times when McWilliam tries a case even when the State appears to have strong evidence.
In one DWI case, a defendant was found asleep and intoxicated in a running car parked in a parking lot. However, the State never established that she was sitting in the driver’s seat. Because that part of the case was not proven, the defendant was found not guilty.
The case reflects McWilliam’s belief that every part of the State’s case should be examined before a client accepts the charge against them.
You cannot win a case if you do not try a case.
How Trial Experience Can Help During Negotiations
Wake County District Attorneys know that McWilliam approaches every case as though it may go to trial, and he is prepared to follow through.
As a result, when negotiation becomes the better option, his willingness to try cases can help him pursue more favorable plea offers for his clients.
Misdemeanor cases lost in District Court may also be appealed to Superior Court for a new trial before a jury. McWilliam’s experience and comfort trying jury cases means prosecutors and judges know he may continue the defense in Superior Court when appropriate.
Contact Experienced Raleigh Misdemeanor Lawyer John McWilliam, PLLC
A misdemeanor charge does not mean that you are out of options. The evidence may be challenged, a negotiated resolution may be available, or the case may need to be taken to trial.
Contact John McWilliam, PLLC, for misdemeanor charges in Wake County.