Felonies & Misdemeanors
Felonies and misdemeanors are legal classifications that describe the seriousness of a criminal offense. In North Carolina, felony convictions generally carry more severe penalties than misdemeanors, including the potential for lengthy imprisonment and the long-term consequences of a permanent criminal record. However, misdemeanor convictions can also result in jail time, substantial fines, probation, driver's license consequences, and lasting effects on employment, education, and professional licensing.
Thomas Amburgey represents individuals charged with both felony and misdemeanor offenses throughout Western North Carolina. Whether you are facing a relatively minor offense or a serious criminal accusation, understanding the nature of the charge is an important first step in protecting your rights and preparing your defense.
The lists below are not exhaustive, but they represent many of the felony and misdemeanor charges commonly prosecuted in North Carolina. Click on any charge to learn more about the offense and the defense strategies that may be available.
FELONY OFFENSES
- Arson
- Assault
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Assault with Intent to Kill
- Breaking and Entering
- Bribery
- Burglary
- Carjacking
- Child Sexual Exploitation Material (CSAM)
- Computer Crimes
- Conspiracy
- Credit Card Fraud
- Criminal Trespass
- Drug Conspiracy
- Drug Manufacturing
- Drug Trafficking
- Embezzlement
- Extortion
- Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
- Felony Child Abuse
- Felony Death by Vehicle
- Felony Murder
- First Degree Murder
- Forgery
- Fraud
- Heathcare Fraud
- Identity Theft
- Illegal Sale of Weapons
- Indecent Liberties with a Child
- Kidnapping
- Larceny
- Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substances
- Manslaughter
- Misappropriation of Corporate Assets
- Money Laundering
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Obtaining Property by False Pretense
- Obstruction of Justice
- Perjury
- Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
- Possession of Prohibited Firearms
- Possession of Stolen Goods
- Possession with Intent to Sell or Deliver (PWISD)
- Public Corruption
- Rape
- Robbery
- School Zone Drug Offenses
- Second Degree Murder
- Second Degree Vehicular Murder
- Sexual Battery
- Sex Offender Registry Violations
- Sexual Offense
- Solicitation of a Minor
- Statutory Rape
- Tax Crimes
- Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Drug Crime or Felony
- Vehicular Homicide
MISDEMEANOR CRIMES
- Affray
- Carrying a Concealed Weapon
- Child Abuse
- Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor
- Criminal Mischief
- Cyberstalking
- Discharging a Firearm
- Disorderly Conduct
- Domestic Violence
- Driving While Impaired (DWI)
- Failure to Appear
- Fake ID
- Harassment
- Larceny
- Littering
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Possession of a Weapon in an Establishment Where Alcohol is Sold
- Property Damage
- Providing alcohol to a minor
- Resisting, Delaying or Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer (RDO)
- Riot
- Shoplifting
- Simple Assault
- Simple Possession of Marijuana
- Solicitation of a Prostitute
- Trespassing
- Underage Alcohol Consumption
- Underage Alcohol Possession
- Underage or Provisional DWI
- Violation of Concealed Carry Laws
- Violation of Domestic Protective Orders
Whether you are facing a misdemeanor citation or a serious felony charge, the outcome of your case can have lasting consequences. Early legal representation can make an important difference in protecting your rights, evaluating the evidence, negotiating with prosecutors, and preparing a strong defense. Thomas Amburgey is a Board Certified Specialist in State Criminal Law and represents adults and juveniles charged with criminal offenses throughout Western North Carolina. If you have been accused of any felony or misdemeanor offense, call Amburgey Law at 828.989.3210 to discuss your case and begin building your defense.
Criminal Defense Services
Key Points
- North Carolina classifies criminal offenses as either misdemeanors or felonies, with felony offenses generally carrying more severe penalties and longer-lasting consequences.
- The specific charge, criminal history, and circumstances of a case may significantly affect the potential penalties, sentencing, and long-term impact of a conviction.
- The offenses listed on this page are representative examples and do not include every criminal offense recognized under North Carolina law.
- Regardless of whether a charge is classified as a misdemeanor or a felony, a criminal conviction may affect employment opportunities, professional licensing, educational opportunities, firearm rights, and other important aspects of a person's future.
- Thomas Amburgey is a former prosecutor and North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Law who represents individuals facing misdemeanor and felony charges throughout Asheville and Western North Carolina.
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Felony Crimes and Misdemeanors
Thomas Amburgey is a criminal defense lawyer that represents people in a wide and inclusive range of felony and misdemeanor accusations and charges. If you have been accused of a crime, no matter how small you believe it to be, call Thomas today and begin protecting your rights under the Constitution.
Homicide & Capital Crime
Murder is one of the most serious crimes to be accused of and, if convicted, is accompanied by a life sentence, possibly without parole. Some examples of murder charges are:
Weapons Offenses
Thomas Amburgey’s extensive trial experience as a prosecutor allows him to intimately understand the weaknesses of the state’s case, where their positions lie, and how to best communicate with the DA. He knows the courtroom. Through more than seventy jury trials, he’s gained an innate understanding of what is most important for putting you in the position to win.
DUI / DWI
North Carolina law enforcement does not take DWI/DUI matters lightly and has some of the most stringent sentencing structures in the Country. If you are found to be legally intoxicated on a North Carolina highway, we firmly recommend that you seek a defense lawyer with particular experience with North Carolina DWI/DUI charges. As a former prosecutor, criminal defense attorney Thomas Amburgey is exceptionally knowledgeable of the State Court systems and the DWI/DUI process.
Violent Crimes: Assault, Battery, Domestic Violence
- Assault and Battery
- Assault with Intent to Kill
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Domestic Violence
- Hate Crimes
- Sexual Assault, Rape
- Manslaughter
- Murder/Homicide
- Robbery and Burglary (Breaking and Entering)
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- Violation of Domestic Protective Order (Restraining Order)
- Weapons Crimes
Larceny: Theft, Burglary, Shoplifting
- Concealment of merchandise in a store
- Felony larceny of motor vehicle parts
- Larceny of gasoline at a service station
- Receiving or possessing stolen goods
- Removal of a shopping cart from store premises
Sex Crimes: Child Abuse, Child Pornography, Rape
- Abuse and Sexual Assault
- Indecent exposure, lewd and lascivious conduct
- Indecent liberties with a juvenile
- Internet Sex Crimes
- Molestation
- Pimping, pandering, and prostitution
- Rape and Date Rape
- Sexual Harassment
- Statutory rape (sex with a minor)
Probation Violations
- Failing to report to a probation officer
- Missing curfew
- Testing positive for alcohol or drugs
- Failing to pay fines or restitution
- New charges
Student Offenses
- Assault
- Disorderly conduct
- DWI and DWI under 21
- Fake ID possession
- Underage possession of alcohol
- Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute or for personal use
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Prescription Drug Charges
- Sexual assault or battery
DRUG & SUBSTANCE OFFENSES
A drug crime conviction can impose some of the harshest penalties available, including hefty fines, seizure of property, and possible imprisonment. If you are faced with any type of drug crime, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney to help you navigate the complex drug laws of North Carolina.
White-Collar Crime
Common white-collar crimes include:
- Fraud
- Embezzlement
- Money Laundering
- Forgery
If you suspect that you are the subject of a criminal, corporate, or governmental investigation, seek the assistance of an experienced criminal lawyer to help you.
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