Violent Crimes We Defend in Macon County
Violent charges cover a wide range of conduct, and the exact charge drives everything that follows, from the penalty to the odds of a felony record. These are the cases we handle most often in Western North Carolina.
How North Carolina Grades a Violent Charge
North Carolina does not treat every violent charge the same. Where a case lands, and how much prison time it carries, depends on the offense class and your prior record under the state's Structured Sentencing system.
Where Common Violent Charges Fall
Violent offenses run the full length of the felony scale. Simple assault is a misdemeanor, while assault by strangulation is a Class H felony and common law robbery is a Class G felony. From there the stakes climb fast: armed robbery is a Class D felony, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury is a Class C, and first-degree murder is a Class A offense punishable by life without parole. The higher the class and the longer your record, the more time you face, which is why so much of the fight is about lowering the class of the charge.
The Violent Habitual Felon Law
North Carolina saves its harshest enhancement for repeat violent offenders. Under N.C.G.S. § 14-7.7, someone convicted of a violent felony who already has two prior violent felony convictions must be sentenced to life in prison without parole. It is the most severe punishment the state allows short of the death penalty, which makes experienced defense critical any time prior convictions are on the table.
Self-Defense and Your Right to Stand Your Ground
Not every use of force is a crime. North Carolina law gives you the right to protect yourself and those around you, and in the right case, self-defense can fully defend you against a violent charge.
When the Law Justifies Using Force
Under N.C.G.S. § 14-51.3, you may use force, including deadly force, when you reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to yourself or another person. North Carolina is a stand-your-ground state, so you generally have no duty to retreat from anywhere you have a lawful right to be.
The Castle Doctrine at Home, Work, and in Your Car
N.C.G.S. § 14-51.2, often called the castle doctrine, offers even stronger protection in your home, workplace, or vehicle. When someone unlawfully and forcibly enters one of those spaces, the law presumes you had a reasonable fear of death or serious injury, which can justify the force you used.
Where Self-Defense Does Not Apply
North Carolina’s self-defense protections have limits. Under N.C.G.S. § 14-51.4, the defense doesn't apply to someone who was committing, attempting, or fleeing after a felony when they used force. It also doesn't apply to someone who started the confrontation.
Starting a fight does not always end the defense, though. The law restores it in two situations:
- The other person escalated to deadly force. The response was so serious that you reasonably feared death or great bodily harm, you had no reasonable way to retreat, and deadly force was the only way out.
- You backed off in good faith. You withdrew, made clear you wanted the fight to stop, and the other person kept going or started again.
Separately, the immunity in § 14-51.2 and § 14-51.3 does not apply to force used against a law enforcement officer or bail bondsman who was lawfully doing their job and identified themselves, or whom you reasonably should have recognized.
Who threw the first punch, who escalated, and who tried to walk away are often the most disputed facts in a violent case. That is why we gather witnesses, video, and phone records early, before memories shift.
How Long Does Someone Have to Press Charges for Assault
Under N.C.G.S. § 15-1, most misdemeanors, including simple assault and assault on a female, must be charged within 2 years of the incident. A few misdemeanors have a longer 10-year window, but ordinary assault is not one of them.
Felonies are a different story. North Carolina has no statute of limitations for any felony, so a charge like assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury can be filed years after the event. That doesn’t make an old case unbeatable. A long, unexplained delay can still violate your constitutional rights, and it often leaves the State relying on faded memories and lost evidence.
It’s also worth clearing up a common misunderstanding: the alleged victim does not decide whether a case moves forward. The prosecutor does, and a case can continue even after the accuser asks to drop it. If you’ve been accused, talk with a lawyer now rather than waiting to see whether a deadline passes.
How We Push Back Against Violent Crime Charges
Violent cases are rarely as one-sided as the police report makes them out to be. Our defense starts by rebuilding what actually happened and measuring the state's version against it.
Arrested for Assault or a Violent Crime?
One incident should not define the rest of your life. Put a former prosecutor and a former judge in your corner and get honest answers fast. Our team is available 24/7.
