Lincoln County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Lincoln County Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been accused of committing a crime in North Carolina, you may benefit from the help of a Lincoln County criminal defense lawyer. Your lawyer can help protect you from violations of your rights, working hard to ensure you experience a fair trial, and empowering you to pursue your desired outcomes.

An Overview of Crime in Lincoln County, North Carolina

Before you try to connect with a Lincoln County criminal defense lawyer, you may benefit from learning more about what is considered a crime in North Carolina, how crime is categorized, and how hiring the right criminal defense lawyer may be the one thing standing between you and prison time.

As is the case with most of the United States, North Carolina categorizes criminal activity, which is the act of violating state and/or federal law, into a few specific categories. Here are some examples of said categories:

State vs. Federal Crime

State and federal crimes are not necessarily mutually exclusive, but they are their own criminal categorization. If you have been charged with state criminal charges, it means that you have been accused of committing a crime within the borders of North Carolina. Federal charges apply to cases where the suspected criminal activity may have crossed state and/or national borders.

It is important to know what type of charges you are facing, as it can affect where your case takes place, as well as the other parties that may be involved. For example, you could be facing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) if you are facing federal charges, whereas state cases tend to only involve state law enforcement agencies.

Property Crime vs. Violent Crime

The second category of criminal activity is property and violent crimes. Property crimes involve the illegal damage and/or theft of something another individual owns, whereas violent crime is committed by a person against another individual, threatening and/or causing harm to the victim.

In 2024, there were an estimated 376 violent crimes per 100,000 residents reported in North Carolina. Additionally, 1,968 property crimes per 100,000 people were reported in the very same year. When compared to the overall United States average, North Carolina’s rate of property crime was 11.8% higher, and its violent crime rate was 4.6% higher.

What Is Considered a Crime in Lincoln County, North Carolina?

There are many different subcategories of criminal charges, including rape, robbery, murder, and motor vehicle theft, but here are the most common types of property and violent crimes that North Carolina experienced in 2024:

• Assault: Assault, which is often the most common kind of violent crime, has a wide variety of charges, which can vary in both type and severity, especially with the involvement of a weapon or physical violence. In 2024, 77.2% of all reported violent crimes in North Carolina were listed as aggravated assault. This made it more common than rape, murder, and robbery percentages combined.
• Larceny: Larceny was the most common type of property crime in North Carolina in 2024, making up a whopping 70.6% of the overall property crime percentage and, therefore, surpassing burglaries, motor vehicle theft, and more.

Why Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Lincoln County, North Carolina?

There are many reasons that you may want to hire a criminal defense lawyer. Not only can they help defend you in a court of law, but they can also fight to protect your rights from the start of your case to the end. It is not uncommon for criminal cases to go to trial, so you will likely be spending time at the Lincoln County Courthouse.

Why Should I Choose The Schweppe Law Firm, P.A., to Defend Me in My Criminal Court Case?

At The Schweppe Law Firm, P.A., we believe in doing everything we can to ensure that you have both a fair trial and a fair shot at winning your case. We know how overwhelming, daunting, and isolating being accused of a crime can be, but we are committed to walking alongside you from start to finish, offering you insight, compassion, and guidance as needed.

FAQs About Lincoln County, NC Criminal Defense Law

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, criminal defense lawyers tend to vary in price due to several different variables. These can include the level of complexity your case presents, the amount of time it takes to reach a resolution, and who you choose to hire to represent you. At The Schweppe Law Firm, P.A., we work hard to help you accomplish your desired outcomes, making every expenditure feel worthwhile.

What Is the Difference Between a Criminal Lawyer and a Criminal Defense Attorney in North Carolina?

While they may sound interchangeable, there is a specific distinction that must be made between a criminal lawyer and a criminal defense lawyer in the state of North Carolina. A criminal lawyer is an umbrella term for any lawyer working in criminal law. This can include the defense, but also the prosecution, whereas criminal defense attorneys only defend those accused of committing a crime, going toe-to-toe with the prosecution.

How Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Protect My Rights in North Carolina?

Two of the basic human rights everyone is granted in the United States and, by extension, North Carolina, are the right to legal representation and the right to a fair trial. This does not change based on whether or not you are innocent. Your lawyer can help protect you from start to finish, representing you and upholding your rights upon your arrest, as well as defending you from unjust investigation techniques and conclusions in the courtroom.

What Is the Difference Between State and Federal Criminal Charges in North Carolina?

State and federal cases, while both criminal, can differ greatly from one another. While it is possible to be charged with state and federal crimes simultaneously, they do have different meanings. State crimes occur within the borders of North Carolina, while federal crimes involve crossing state and even national borders. If you have been charged with a federal crime, you may be facing heightened consequences, as well as the United States government institutions, instead of just local law enforcement.

Get More Information Today

Contact The Schweppe Law Firm, P.A., today to set up a consultation.