At Griffin Law, PLLC, our skilled Mooresville criminal defense lawyer can help you defend yourself against a number of different criminal charges. We carefully review each case and aim to help you through this difficult time in your life. You will be updated frequently on the status of your case, and you can rest assured that your concerns will be addressed.
If you have recently been charged with a crime, it is in your interest to hire an attorney who can review the case against you and present a strong defense. Our team offers clients free consultations, so you can ensure you’ve found the right attorney before making any decisions. We strive to protect your rights and your freedom throughout each step of the criminal process, helping you navigate the potential consequences of working with a criminal record. Our attorney can sift through the details to find any errors made by the prosecutor or weaknesses in their case. If you are also dealing with family law matters, our experienced family lawyer can provide the support you need to navigate both legal areas effectively.
Imperfect self-defense occurs when a person uses more physical force than necessary or reasonable to defend themselves. This applies when the defendant defends themselves when they believe lethal force was necessary at the time.
Imperfect defense is applied to murder and attempted murder charges. This may not shield the defendant from a conviction, but it can affect their charges and possibly lessen their sentence. This is usually applied when the defendant honestly thought they were in danger, but their reaction was too severe for the incident. In such cases, you may also have the option to appeal a criminal conviction, seeking to challenge the outcome based on legal grounds.
In North Carolina, self-defense is described as the lethal or non-lethal force to protect yourself against imminent danger or an immediate threat. It is the legal justification to protect yourself and your property against crimes. However, self-defense would not include deadly force as a response to a minor threat. If someone is retreating from your property or backing down, continuing to use lethal force and aggression is no longer self-defense.
In North Carolina, only the judge and the prosecutor have the ability to dismiss the charges against the defendant in a criminal case. If appropriate, your attorney may file a formal motion to dismiss with the court prior to trial. If presented with the proper material, the judge may dismiss the case. One common reason for dismissal is a lack of evidence against the defendant.
The optimal defense will differ according to the details of each criminal case. For violent crime charges, for example, self-defense could be the optimal claim if backed by strong evidence. In Mooresville, North Carolina, an experienced attorney can help assess the specifics of your case and determine the best strategy to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome.
If the defendant can provide reasonable evidence to support their feelings of imminent danger or death, they can claim self-defense was necessary to prevent further harm. This all depends on the severity of the case and the circumstantial evidence provided. The court will decide if force was reasonable or unreasonable in the case.
If you are struggling to navigate the difficult process of filing for a divorce, contact our office at Griffin Law for a free consultation.