Misdemeanors

What We Do

Raleigh Misdemeanors Attorney

At the Law Firm of Dewey P. Brinkley, we know that even a small mistake can dramatically impact your life. Although a misdemeanor charge may seem minor, a conviction can give you a permanent criminal record, which can inhibit your ability to find a job, obtain housing, hold certain offices, and pursue certain careers, in addition to adding marks to your record that can count against you if you are charged with a crime in the future.

For all of these reasons and more, it’s important that you immediately consult an experienced misdemeanor attorney who can fight for your best possible scenario.

Don’t Wait!

Contact Raleigh’s Leading Criminal Defense Attorney Now.

What Is A Misdemeanor?

A misdemeanor is a “minor” crime. But keep in mind that it is still a crime, which will necessitate a jury trial and pit you up against a prosecuting attorney who may try to encourage the judge to lay down the maximum sentence. Misdemeanors include offenses such as simple assaultdisorderly conductindecent exposurereckless driving, petty theft, and possessing small amounts of certain illegal drugs, such as marijuana. North Carolina recognizes hundreds of misdemeanors, but our aggressive defense attorney can defend you against any one or a combination of these offenses, starting immediately after your arrest.

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Penalties for Misdemeanors

The goal of a misdemeanor attorney is to convince the court of your innocence if you did not commit the crime or to work toward the best possible sentence if you are guilty of the offense. Because courts have a wide sentencing latitude for misdemeanors, your attorney is even more important than in other jurisdictions. Having a good attorney can mean the difference between community service and jail time for many crimes.

The possible penalties for a misdemeanor include “community punishment,” such as community service or probation; “intermediate punishment,” such as house arrest, electronic monitoring, or mandatory commitment to a drug or alcohol treatment facility; or “active punishment,” which is another term for jail time. The court may also issue a fine at its discretion.

The duration of your punishment is determined by the class of misdemeanor you committed and by your number of prior convictions.

Duration of Misdemeanors Penalties

ClassExamplesNo Priors1–4 Priors5+ PriorsFine
Class A1Assault on a woman or a child under 12, misdemeanor child abuse, taking indecent liberties with a student1–60 days1–75 days1–150 daysCourt’s discretion
Class 1Forcible trespass, false imprisonment, obstruction of justice, forgery1–45 days1–45 days1–120 daysCourt’s discretion
Class 2Simple assault or battery, repeat shoplifting (concealing merchandise), willful destruction of property1–30 days1–45 days1–60 daysUp to $1,000
Class 3Second-degree trespass, vandalism, public intoxicationFine only or 1–10 days*Fine only or 1–15 days*1–20 daysUp to $200

Dewey P. Brinkley – Raleigh’s Misdemeanor Attorney

As you can see, having a good attorney can mean the difference between months in jail and a simple fine or community service. If you are innocent, it could mean the difference between a permanent criminal record that can negatively impact the rest of your life or complete justification! So if you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor, don’t wait – call Dewey Brinkley today to talk about your case at (919) 832-0307.

Why Choose Attorney Dewey

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Board-Certified Legal Expertise

Certified Criminal Law Specialist by North Carolina State Bar.

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Extensive Trial Experience

Tried over 250 criminal cases in local courts.

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Former Prosecutor Insight

Knows prosecution strategies from time as Assistant District Attorney.

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Personalized Client Attention

Direct, responsive service from start to finish by Brinkley himself.

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Proven Client Satisfaction

4.9-star client reviews praise professionalism and case outcomes.

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