WILMINGTON, NC VIOLENT CRIMES ATTORNEY

Violent Crimes Topics

If you are accused of assaulting another person or a more serious violent crime, the best way to protect yourself is to call violent crimes defense attorney Thom Goolsby. These are intimidating charges, but it does not mean you will be convicted. You not required and in most cases should not plead guilty. Instead, contact a criminal defense lawyer who will fight for you and present a strong defense, both in and out of court.


These are fact-driven cases, typically handled by veteran prosecutors and investigators. By working with a skilled lawyer early in your case, you can control what you say to the police, limit the evidence used against you, and possibly negotiate for a favorable outcome or be in the best position for trial.

The Stakes Couldn't Be Higher in Violent Crime Cases

With nearly 30 years of experience, a reputation for aggressively defending his clients, and a history of success at trial, Attorney Thom Goolsby can handle any crime involving violence. Let us examine the evidence and do everything possible to have the charges reduced, dismissed or prove your innocence.


All you have to do is pick up the phone. Call 910-262-7401, send a text, or contact us online 24/7 to set up a free consultation.

WE DEFEND AGAINST ALL VIOLENT CRIMES

From incarceration to probation, along with a permanent mark on your criminal record, any violent conviction will have a detrimental impact on your life. Attorney Thom Goolsby is highly knowledgeable regarding North Carolina violent crime law. He knows what you are up against, how to deal with these cases, and what it takes to successfully defend against them. Some of the most common violent offenses we see regularly are:

SIMPLE ASSAULT (NCGS §14-33(A))

In North Carolina, battery differs from an assault. An assault consists of threatening or attempting to harm someone. A battery occurs when you intentionally touch another person without consent. There is also a charge called an affray, which is an altercation between you and at least one other person, resulting in a physical fight. Simple assault, simple assault and battery or participating in an affray are all Class 2 misdemeanors

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (NCGS §14-33(C))

You face a Class A1 misdemeanor if, during an assault, assault or battery or affray, you cause someone serious injury, use a deadly weapon, assault a child under 12, assault a woman if you are a man over 18 (Assault on a Female), assault a state employee, assault a school employee or volunteer or assault a public transit worker.

FELONY ASSAULT (NCGS §14-32 & 32.4)

It is a Class C felony if you assault another person with a deadly weapon, such as a firearm, with intent to kill, and you inflict serious injury. If you use a deadly weapon and inflict serious injury without the intent to kill or you have the intent to kill yet do not inflict serious injury, it is a Class E felony. If you assault someone and cause physical injury by strangulation, it is a Class H felony.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (NCGS §50B-1)

In North Carolina, domestic abuse consists of causing or trying to cause bodily injury to a person with whom you have a personal relationship, such as a current or ex-spouse, current or former romantic partner, a household member, the other parent of your child or family members. If you are accused of domestic abuse, you will face charges for the underlying crime, as well as possibly having orders of protection filed against you.

MURDER (NCGS 14-17)

Murder is causing another person’s death through premeditated action or the commission of a felony. This is first-degree murder, a Class A felony. First-degree murder also includes causing the death of a person with whom you had a personal relationship through malicious conduct or against whom you had a previous conviction for domestic violence. Any other form of homicide is considered second-degree murder and is charged as a Class B1 or B2 felony, depending on the circumstances.

MANSLAUGHTER (NCGS 14-18)

If you are accused of causing someone’s death without malice or intent and not during the commission of a felony, you can be charged with manslaughter. Voluntary manslaughter is a Class D felony. Involuntary manslaughter, which is a death resulting from reckless behavior, is a Class F felony.

TESTIMONIALS

“I lost my carry concealed permit due to the misapplication of the law by law enforcement. My guns were taken from my home, and my permit was suspended. Thank you Thom Goolsby for standing up for the Second Amendment and my gun rights. You corrected the mistake of law enforcement, and I got my permit back. I appreciate your skill and advocacy.”

Criminal Defense Client

“Thank you Thom Goolsby for helping me with my case. I heard that you were a super attorney, and I heard right! Thank you for your attention to detail and for helping me with this important matter. Your office was always available to assist me, and your care and concern meant a great deal to me. If I ever need an attorney again, you will be the first person that I call.”

Personal Injury Client

“Thank you for walking me through the process for getting my open container and underage possession of alcohol charges dismissed. You arranged for a very simple deferred prosecution. It was easy to comply, and my record is now clean. I appreciate your excellent help!”

Criminal Defense Client

NORTH CAROLINA SENTENCING FOR VIOLENT MISDEMEANORS AND FELONIES

If you are facing a misdemeanor or felony in North Carolina, contact a criminal defense attorney right away to discuss the specific charges and the potential penalties.


North Carolina uses complicated sentencing guidelines based on:


  • The class of the crime
  • Your criminal record
  • Mitigating or aggravating circumstances
  • A judge’s discretion

MISDEMEANOR PENALTIES

For misdemeanors, there are four classes: A1, 1, 2, and 3. A Class A1 misdemeanor is the most severe. For these crimes, the judge will review your criminal record and place you in prior conviction level I, II, or III. Your class and prior record level dictate the minimum and maximum sentence the judge can prescribe.


For example, with a Class A1 misdemeanor such as Assault on a Female, if you are in prior record level I, you can be penalized with between one and 60 days of community, intermediate, or active punishment. If you have five or more previous convictions, you are in prior record level III and face up to 150 days in jail.

FELONY PENALTIES

For felonies, there are 10 classes and six prior record levels. Class A felonies are the most significant, followed by Class B1, B2, and C. If you are convicted of a Class A felony, you face life imprisonment without parole, regardless of your prior record.


For Class B1 and lower felonies, judges use North Carolina’s felony punishment chart to determine the presumptive range of incarceration, the mitigated and aggravated ranges, and the maximum term of imprisonment.


For example, the presumptive range for a Class B1 felony, if you are in prior record level I, is 192 to 240 months in custody. However, if you are in prior record level V or VI, and there are aggravating factors present, you face life without parole.


Because of the complexity of North Carolina sentencing, particularly for felony offenses, it is vital to consult an experienced violent felony defense attorney regarding potential sentences and your odds of success.

THE CRIMINAL PROCESS FOR VIOLENT CRIMES

The criminal process may begin with you being arrested. It can also start with a criminal investigation. The police may desire to speak to you about a crime — or alleged crime — before making an arrest. In either situation, your first call should be to a criminal defense attorney.


You should NEVER speak with an officer or answer any questions without the advice of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. It is always better to let your lawyer speak for you.


When you are under investigation or charged will a crime, your attorney will immediately take steps to protect you. These steps will always include limiting what you say to the police. Officers can and will use anything against you. They may attempt to mislead and manipulate you.


Your attorney also will investigate the allegations against you. Your lawyer needs to know all of the facts of your case — good and bad. Only with all of the information available can your lawyer provide an objective analysis of your case, discuss the best and worst possible outcomes, and advise you on the best way to proceed.

DEFENDING AGAINST VIOLENT CRIMES

Violent crimes, like assault, assault on a female, and felonious assault, are fact-driven cases. Attorney Thom Goolsby recognizes the dynamics involved in litigating violence offenses, including the high stakes of a permanent criminal record, possible time behind bars, and the life-long stigma you’re facing. As a result, he takes a hard look at the facts, identifies the weaknesses in the State’s case, and builds the most effective strategy possible.


Often, you can argue self-defense against assault charges. You may have been justified and reasonable in behaving as you did. You may even claim imperfect self-defense. This strategy can be successful in helping you avoid a conviction or mitigating the consequences of a conviction.


Anyone can go to court, plead guilty, and accept the maximum punishment. Attorney Thom Goolsby recommends demanding a trial and fighting assault cases. He rarely, if ever, considers any type of plea. He recognizes that you, like many of his clients, have good reasons for being where you were and involved in an altercation. He also knows you may not have done anything! Instead, another person’s assaultive behavior may be to blame.


In addition to self-defense, other possible defenses include establishing:


  • You acted in defense of others.
  • You did not commit an unlawful, non-consensual touching.
  • You did not threaten or attempt to harm the other individual.
  • You were falsely accused by the alleged victim.
  • The prosecution lacks sufficient evidence to prove you committed the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.


Violent accusations do not always result in criminal charges or a conviction. There are various ways to defend yourself and pursue the best possible outcome. However, violent crime cases are too important to work with an attorney with limited trial experience or one who rushes you into pleading guilty. Many times, obtaining the best possible result means taking your case to court. To do this, you need to work with a seasoned violent crimes defense attorney with a substantial trial background, like Thom Goolsby.

GOOLSBY LAW FIRM CASE RESULTS

CRIMINAL CASE INVOLVING MULTIPLE CHARGES DISMISSED

July 6, 2021
CRIMINAL CASE INVOLVING MULTIPLE CHARGES DISMISSED An individual was recently charged with multiple criminal offenses, including: Assault on a female Interfering with 911 emergency communications During their arrest, firearms and ammunition were seized at his residence. Maintaining their innocence and wanting to avoid a conviction, the individual reached out to Goolsby Law Firm for help.  Attorney Thom Goolsby immediately got to work on the case. Due to his quick action on the client’s behalf, the case was dismissed and the firearms and ammunition were returned.

DRIVING CHARGE DISMISSED, DWI CHARGE REDUCED IN NC

July 6, 2021
DRIVING CHARGE DISMISSED, DWI CHARGE REDUCED IN NC Recently, a Goolsby Law Firm client was charged with multiple offenses, including careless and reckless driving and driving while impaired (DWI). Upon BAC (blood alcohol content) testing, the individual returned a result of .19%. Knowing the effect a conviction on either or both offenses could have on her life, the client reached out to experienced criminal defense attorney, Thom Goolsby, for help. Upon becoming involved in the case and employing the use of his negotiation and defense skills, Attorney Thom Goolsby was able to get the client’s careless and reckless driving charge dismissed. He also was able to plea the DWI to the lowest level for impaired driving. As a result, the client received no active time.

DWI CASE DISMISSED

July 6, 2021
DWI CASE DISMISSED When an individual was stopped by a State Trooper and charged with DWI (driving while impaired) after returning a blood alcohol content (BAC) result of .08%. Wanting to avoid a conviction and the statutory and collateral consequences that stem from such an outcome, she reached out to Goolsby Law Firm for help. Before trial, Attorney Thom Goolsby filed a motion to suppress his client’s behalf based on lack of probable cause for arrest. At the close of the motion hearing after Attorney Thom Goolsby’s vigorous defense, the case was dismissed.

PROTECTIVE ORDER REFUSED IN NC

July 6, 2021
PROTECTIVE ORDER REFUSED IN NC When a client of Goolsby Law Firm was facing the possibility of a protective order being entered against him, they reached out to attorney Thom Goolsby for help. The protective order stems from an alleged incident during which another individual claimed the client pointed an AR-15 assault rifle in her face, threatening to harm her and her husband. Maintaining his innocence and denying all claims, the client turned to Attorney Goolsby. Attorney Goolsby took the case to trial. The result was a win for his client. The court refused to enter the requested protective order.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGE DISMISSED AT TRIAL

July 6, 2021
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGE DISMISSED AT TRIAL Recently, a Goolsby Law Firm client found himself in trouble when he was charged with assaulting his wife and leaving visible marks on her body. He refused to admit guilt and demanded his case be taken to trial. Here, attorney Thom Goolsby aggressively defended his client’s rights and the trial resulted in a not guilty verdict.

ASSAULT CHARGE DISMISSED AFTER FAMILY DISPUTE

July 6, 2021
ASSAULT CHARGE DISMISSED AFTER FAMILY DISPUTE When a man was charged with assault on a female after striking his mother on the face, he reached out to Goolsby Law Firm for help with his case. Attorney Thom Goolsby quickly got to work putting together a defense strategy on behalf of the client. Due to his negotiation and defense skills, attorney Goolsby’s client’s charge was dismissed.

NO ACTIVE SENTENCE IN DRUG CASE

July 6, 2021
NO ACTIVE SENTENCE IN DRUG CASE Recently, a client of Goolsby Law Firm was charged with drug possession. To make matters more complicated, the individual had a lengthy criminal record, so the potential sentence for a conviction on this new charge could be severe. After getting to work on the case, Attorney Thom Goolsby was able to negotiate a plea so the drug possession charge would be classified as a misdemeanor, not the original felony. As such, the client did not have to serve an active sentence. He was simply ordered to pay court costs and a fine.

ALLEGED IMPAIRED DRIVER FOUND NOT GUILTY IN CASE INVOLVING MULTIPLE CHARGES

July 6, 2021
ALLEGED IMPAIRED DRIVER FOUND NOT GUILTY IN CASE INVOLVING MULTIPLE CHARGES Recently, a North Carolina man found himself facing charges for both DWI (driving while impaired) and Hit & Run after allegedly driving while drunk, striking another vehicle and driving away. Knowing the penalties that could stem from a conviction on either offense — including incarceration, fines, and more — he reached out to Goolsby Law Firm for help. The client pled not guilty to the DWI, and he admitted to striking the other vehicle involved in the hit and run. Through a strong defense strategy at trial, Attorney Thom Goolsby was able to secure a not guilty verdict for the DWI charge. In relation to the hit and run charge, he was ordered to pay court costs and a $100 fine.

VETERAN FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES FOUND NOT GUILTY OF TWO OFFENSES

July 6, 2021
VETERAN FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES FOUND NOT GUILTY OF TWO OFFENSES When a disabled veteran was found with drug paraphernalia and marijuana in his vehicle, he was arrested and charged. To make matters worse, the officer who stopped him also charged the man with DWI (driving while impaired) and open container in a motor vehicle. Wanting to avoid the harsh penalties that would come from convictions on these offenses, the man reached out to Goolsby Law Firm for help. Attorney Thom Goolsby took the case to trial, where the client denied the impaired driving charge. Working hard to protect the client’s freedom and rights, attorney Goolsby advocated on the veteran’s behalf. As such, the client was found not guilty of the DWI and paraphernalia charges. While he was guilty of marijuana possession and the open container charge, he was simply ordered to pay court costs.

DRUG CHARGES DISMISSED FOR STUDENT

July 6, 2021
DRUG CHARGES DISMISSED FOR STUDENT Recently a non-U.S. citizen, who was also a student, was charged with drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both charges were preventing this individual from renewing his student visa, so he knew he needed help. This problem is what brought him to Goolsby Law Firm. Attorney Thom Goolsby immediately got to work on the case and after designing a successful strategy, both charges were dismissed. The student was then able to move forward in renewing his student visa and not be forced to leave the country.
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CALL THOM GOOLSBY TODAY, GET HELP NOW

Don’t face violent crime accusations alone. Call Goolsby Law Firm as soon as possible. Let us examine the evidence, discuss your options, and tell you how we will defend you. Attorney Thom Goolsby is just a quick call, email, or text away. Call 910-262-7401 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

FREE CONSULTATIONS 24/7

CONTACT GOOLSBY LAW FIRM TODAY

Like any quality criminal defense attorney, Thom Goolsby may be in court when you first call, but leave a voice mail or send a text. We’ll get with you as soon as possible, so we can go over what happened, evaluate the case, and explain what comes next.

CALL 910-262-7401 NOW OR USE OUR ONLINE FORM