Apex Criminal Defense Lawyer

Criminal Defense Attorney in Apex, NC

Being accused of committing a crime can be an incredibly overwhelming, discouraging, and isolating experience to undergo, leaving you feeling lost and alone. Fortunately, when you hire an Apex, NC, criminal defense lawyer, you can receive the support, advocacy, and clarity you need to pursue your desired outcomes and protect your future.

Hiring an Apex, North Carolina, criminal defense lawyer can help in a variety of ways. At Granados Law Group, we understand just how much is at stake, both before and after a conviction. Proudly serving all 100 counties of North Carolina in the area of expungements, we are dedicated to cleaning up the records of  people just like you all the way from the mountains to the coast. A law firm based in Wake County, North Carolina, we take pride in shaping our case techniques around our clients instead of tradition. In doing so we can build the kind of defense that fits the unique needs of you and your case.

Types of Crime in North Carolina

Law enforcement has many ways of categorizing crime, including state and federal. State crimes occur within the borders of the state alone. This means that your case will most likely be handled by local law enforcement personnel, including local or state police and North Carolina-based prosecutors.

Federal cases, however, involve suspected criminal activity crossing state and/or national borders, therefore involving entities like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), or even Homeland Security Investiations (HSI). Federal charges may also involve more severe sentencing, including serving time in a federal prison as opposed to a state prison.

Violent Crime Versus Property Crime

In 2024, there were an estimated 376 violent crime incidents per 100,000 residents reported in North Carolina alone. This sits 5% above the United States average, leaving the Tar Heel State with the 19th highest violent crime rate in the nation. Violent crime covers a wide variety of illegal activities, but the crimes most categorized under this term are as follows:

• Assault. In 2024, the most reported variety of violent crime was assault, accounting for 77.2% of the year’s violent criminal activity. Assault covers a wide spectrum, including sexual assault, aggravated assault, and domestic assault, all of which involve threats or even acts of violence against another individual.
• Murder. Murder accounted for 2% of violent criminal activity in North Carolina during 2024, making it the least common kind of violent crime that year. While it may be less common, the courts still take murder cases very seriously, so it is a wise idea to find a skilled lawyer to defend you against any kind of murder charges.
• Rape. In 2024, rape crimes accounted for an estimated 7.4% of reported violent crime, but due to the sensitive nature of the crime, rape is typically underreported, meaning that this number could be underrepresenting the true number of rapes that occurred over the course of the year.
• Robbery. Robberies accounted for 13.3% of North Carolina’s reported violent criminal activity in 2024. While it is common to use robbery and burglary interchangeably, they fall under two separate categories of crime, leaving robbery as a violent crime and burglary as a property crime.

Property crimes, while occasionally attached to violent criminal acts, tend to focus on property damage or theft. In 2024, North Carolina was 12th in the nation for the highest number of reported property crimes, falling at an estimated rate of 1,968 offenses per 100,000 people. Here are some examples of the most common types of property crime committed in the Tar Heel State:

• Burglaries. In 2024, burglaries accounted for an estimated 16.5% of the reported total of property crime in North Carolina, making it the second most common variety of property crime committed during the year.
• Larceny. Larceny, or theft, was the most common variety of property crime committed in 2024, contributing 70.6% to the overall property crime rate.
• Motor vehicle theft. While it is labeled as theft, motor vehicle theft is categorized separately from larceny charges. In 2024, 12.9% of all reported property crimes were considered motor vehicle thefts, making it the least common variety of typical property crimes in Apex.

Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer

There are many ways that you can benefit from choosing to hire a criminal defense lawyer, including receiving the representation you need in court. Your lawyer can help you build and deliver a powerful defense at the Wake County Justice Center, guiding you every step of the way as they advocate for you, your rights, and your desired outcomes.

FAQs

What Is the Difference Between a Criminal Lawyer and a Criminal Defense Lawyer in North Carolina?

The difference in classification between criminal lawyers and criminal defense lawyers may seem unnecessary, but they are two different roles. The label criminal lawyer applies to any attorney involved in the overall criminal legal process, including prosecutors. Criminal defense lawyers, however, serve as designated advocates for those accused of and charged with criminal activity.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer in North Carolina?

The cost of hiring a criminal defense lawyer tends to vary in North Carolina. This is mainly due to the unique effect that several different variables may have on your overall price, including the amount of time your case requires, the level of complexity it presents, the severity of your charges, and who you hire to represent you.

What Kind of Evidence Can Be Presented in a Criminal Defense Case in North Carolina?

There is a wide variety of forms that evidence can take in a criminal defense case, but it can only be used if it has been acquired legally and is determined to be relevant to your case. This evidence can include videos, pictures, witness testimonials, security footage, police reports, professional testimonies, texts, emails, recorded phone calls, and more.

Can I Represent Myself in My Criminal Defense Case in North Carolina?

It is legal for you to represent yourself in your criminal defense case in North Carolina. It is important, however, to consider the ways that this may negatively influence your experience and, more importantly, the outcome of your case. Many individuals have found that hiring a criminal defense lawyer contributed to a difference in the results of their case, as well as the level of clarity and stress reduction they experienced.

Apex Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you or a loved one is charged with a crime, it is important to have the right knowledge and experience on your side. At Granados Law Group, our team is dedicated to serving the unique needs of each of our clients and building a defense that supports their case. Contact the Granados Law Group today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you protect your rights and your future.