North Carolina Criminal Law UpdatesIf you have a Warrant for Arrest or Order for Arrest (OFA), we recommend you retain legal representation from a Raleigh Criminal Lawyer without delay. 
Our lawyers are here to help explain how the court system works, what to do when warrants are issued, and relative to your charges, the best way to move forward in timely addressing the warrant.
If you have an outstanding warrant for arrest, don’t wait. Seek legal guidance – John Fanney, Raleigh Criminal Defense
Whether it’s Warrant for Arrest predicated on an Indictment, a Criminal Summons, or even a Civil Summons for a Domestic Violence Protective Order, service of any legal process deserves a plan of action.
And while your family and friends may offer well-meaning guidance and advice, it’s a good idea to figure out what applies to your criminal charges and your best interests.
It’s important to note, many jurisdictions in North Carolina have local protocols, rules of court, and preferred ways of handling things.
As such, a DWI in Raleigh may, from a procedural standpoint, be handled much differently than impaired driving charges in Smithfield NC.
You and your legal matters are unique.
We firmly believe it’s better to speak with an experienced courtroom lawyer, rather than rely upon anecdotal advice or someone else’s past experiences with the legal system.
How much do lawyers cost?
Lawyers in Wake County charge legal fees based on the type of charges involved, the severity of the offense or allegations, and the existence of prior convictions.
The good news is, it costs nothing to call our law office right now, ask some basic questions, and obtain a consultation.
Our Raleigh lawyers offer a FREE CONSULTATION for State of North Carolina criminal charges.
It makes no difference if you’ve been accused of a felony or misdemeanor, DWI, DUI, drug charges, or crimes of theft or dishonesty (larceny, embezzlement, fraud).
We make ourselves available to meet with potential clients and see what we can do to help.
Everything you tell our defense team, including our lawyers and legal support staff, is strictly confidential.
We defend the attorney-client privilege.
Our job involves providing sound legal advice based on the information people share with us in confidence.
Call Raleigh Criminal Lawyer John Fanney NOW: 919-617-7009
In addition to explaining the consequences of being charged and arrested, we will go through the costs of legal representation and legal fees.
Will I have to post bail?
First and foremost, there are conditions of release that do not require a secured bond or cash bond.
As such, getting “bailed out of jail” may not in fact require the services of a bondsman or bonding company.
Some criminal charges require a Written Promise to Appear.
Other legal matters may involve something called a Custody Release, where the accused is released to the recognizance of a friend or family member.
Magistrate Judges, as is mandated under the NC Criminal Laws on Bail, Bonds, and conditions of release, consider a wide range of factors.
They commonly review things like where you live, whether you’ve missed court, failed to appear (FTA – Failure to Appear) or had prior criminal convictions.
Judges, prosecutors, and defense lawyers in Raleigh tend to focus on answering two central questions:
- Will you show up in court on the appointed date and time?
- If you are released from jail, will your release from custody pose a danger to the community or even to yourself?
Conditions of bond and terms of release are often set by a Magistrate (Magistrate Judge) after the arrest and as part of the arrest processing at the Wake County jail.
The Magistrate may also schedule and enter into the court system computer/database an initial appearance date with a District Court Judge, a bond hearing, and/or a hearing on Probable Cause.
Given the wide range of different types of criminal charges that are subject to an arrest, the specific procedures dictated by the NC criminal laws and local rules may vary.
Each case is different.
How things develop in a Felony Larceny charge may be significantly different than an arrest for DWI in Raleigh.
That’s one reason it is so important to speak with criminal lawyer about your case and your criminal charges.
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. 15A-534, Magistrates and Judges may consider things like:
- The strengths and weaknesses of evidence against you
- The nature and circumstances of the offense
- The severity of the charges
- Your ties to the community
- Are you from North Carolina?
- Are you employed?
- Do you have friends and family in the community?
- What is your reputation in the community (character)?
- Are you of sound mind? What is your mental condition?
- Are you a danger to yourself?
- Are you a danger to others?
- Are you impaired, drunk, or high?
- What is your prior criminal record (convictions)?
- Have you failed to appear in court in the past?
- Have you been arrested for an Order for Arrest for missing court?
- Are you a “Flight Risk?”
- Do you have a history of avoiding court or not taking care of legal matters?
Turning Yourself In
- You and your personal belongings will be searched by jail staff (Wake County Deputies)
- If you bring illegal drugs or weapons into the jail, you will be charged with their possession
- Do not wear jewelry.
- Take out nose rings, mouth jewelry, and earrings and leave them at home
- Do not wear a belt
- Do not wear clothing with drawstrings or tie strings
- Wear shoes that do not have shoelaces
- Carry some sort of identification, photo ID, or driver license
- Make sure you know your Social Security Number or write it down
- If you bring a cell phone, it likely will be confiscated
- Cell phones are not subject to searches unless done so with a Search Warrant
- Any personal items such as jewelry, cell phones, belts, and shoelaces will be inventoried and returned upon release, slowing down the process
- Do not bring a pocket knife, taser, or pepper spray to the jail
- Do not get drunk or high before turning yourself into the jail
Raleigh DUI/DWI Lawyers, Traffic Tickets, and Criminal Defense Attorneys
We’re here to help answer your questions and explain your best-case and worst-case scenarios.
Call Raleigh Criminal Lawyer John Fanney NOW: 919-617-7009
You may also email John Fanney personally at: John@FanneyLaw.com
NC Criminal Law Information