Being charged with murder can be a very paralyzing thing. You may feel stuck in place as you wonder what actions you can take to make this go away.
The truth is there is nothing you can do make things go away on your own. You need the help of a proven criminal defense attorney to limit your exposure to criminal penalties and position you to emerge with your future intact. In Wilmington, that means seeking the advice and representation of the criminal defense lawyers at Marcilliat & Mills PLLC.
Our experienced Criminal Wilmington lawyers are led by a former North Carolina criminal prosecutor who understands murder cases from both sides of the courtroom. We know that the quality of legal representation you receive can make all the difference in a murder case. If you face charges of first-degree murder, your choice of attorney could literally end up being the difference between life and death.
Get the representation you need to protect your good name, your freedom, and your future. Call 919-838-6643 today for a free consultation.
Wilmington, NC Murder Charges
First-degree murder is a capital offense in North Carolina, which means a conviction can result in a death sentence. It doesn’t get any more serious than that. First-degree murder charges are brought when there is an accusation of willful and premeditated killing, or the killing took place during the commission of a felony crime such as rape or robbery or a deadly weapon was used.
Second-degree murder can result in a prison sentence and, while the death penalty is off the table, the consequences of having a felony conviction on your record will follow you for the rest of your life. Second-degree murder is charged in cases involving an intentional but unplanned killing.
In cases where a killing is the result of an accident, charges such as voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter or vehicular manslaughter can be brought. These are serious charges that can result in harsh criminal penalties and the collateral consequences associated with a criminal conviction.
If you are facing charges involving the loss of a life, you cannot afford to be without experienced representation for your defense. Even attempted murder can result in a felony conviction with penalties similar to those associated with second-degree murder.
“What Will My Murder Defense Lawyer in Wilmington Do For Me?”
One of the most important things about having an attorney handling your case is that you don’t know what you don’t know, and what you don’t know can be the difference between walking free or spending the rest of your life behind bars (or worse).
You simply have too much on the line to try handling your own defense. A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney will be able to examine the circumstances surrounding your charges and build the strongest possible defense based on the available evidence. At Marcilliat & Mills PLLC, you will benefit from having a former criminal prosecutor on your side who understands how to pick apart the prosecution’s case.
“What Do I Need To Do Now?”
The first thing you need to do is realize that continuing to talk is not a good idea. You cannot talk your way out of your murder charges, but it is definitely possible to talk your way into a conviction by giving the prosecution the ammo they need to keep you behind bars. The only talking you should be doing right now is to your criminal defense attorney. Anything you tell the investigators or the prosecutors at this point can only hurt you.
It’s Not Going Away. Neither Are We.
Failing to take action to protect yourself is not a good choice. The only way to resolve the murder accusations you face is to arm yourself with the representation of a proven Wilmington criminal defense lawyer. In Wilmington, that means getting in touch with Marcilliat & Mills PLLC. Call 919-838-6643 or contact us online today for a free consultation. We’ll handle the rest.
State v. B.S.: Not Guilty Verdict in First Degree Murder Case.
In this case, our client was charged with First Degree Murder in connection with a “drive-by” shooting that occurred in Charlotte, NC. The State’s evidence included GPS ankle monitoring data linking our client was at the scene of the crime and evidence that our client confessed to an inmate while in jail. Nonetheless, we convinced a jury to unanimously find our client Not Guilty. He was released from jail the same day.
State v. S.G.: First Degree Murder Charge Dismissed.
Our client was charged with First Degree for the shooting death related to an alleged breaking and entering. The State’s evidence included a co-defendant alleging that our client was the shooter. After conducting a thorough investigation with the use of a private investigator, we persuaded the State to dismiss entirely the case against our client.
State v. B.D.: First Degree Murder Charged Dismissed.
After conducting an investigation and communicating with prosecutor about the facts and circumstances indicating that our client acted in self-defense, the case was dismissed and deemed a justifiable homicide.
State v. I.R.: Reduction from First Degree Murder to Involuntary Manslaughter and Concealment of Death.
Our client was charged with the First Degree Murder of a young lady by drug overdose. After investigating the decedent’s background and hiring a preeminent expert toxicologist to fight the State’s theory of death, we were able to negotiate this case down from Life in prison to 5 years in prison, with credit for time served.
State v. J.G.:
Our client was charged with First Degree Murder related to a “drug deal gone bad.” After engaging the services of a private investigator and noting issues with the State’s case, we were able to negotiate a plea for our client that avoided a Life sentence and required him to serve only 12 years.