What the Law Says About Criminal Charges

As many as one-third of the American population has a criminal record.

If you’re facing criminal charges, it’s important to know that you’re not alone and that you’ve got options. Getting arrested, charged, and going through the court system can be a lengthy process, and it leaves most citizens baffled as to what steps to take.

The best thing you can do is educate yourself about the legal system and how to navigate it for yourself or a loved one. It’s got its own definition of criminal charges that you may not be aware of, so today, we’re going to give you a crash course on criminal law.

We know how overwhelming it can be when facing charges, but keep reading, and we’ll help dispel some of your biggest concerns.

Criminal Statutes

“Criminal statutes” is a fancy way of saying criminal laws. There are a number of criminal statutes in North Carolina, and it would be impossible to cover them all in this article.

When you’re charged with a crime, the statute is basically the category of law that was broken. It could be a small robbery, which would be considered a felony or it could be that you hurt someone in a fight, which would be considered assault.

Upon learning what criminal statute your charge was filed under, you can head to the North Carolina General Assembly to learn more about it. There, you’ll find a long list of penal codes containing the crimes and guidelines for handing out punishments. 

Intent Required for Guilt

When it comes to prosecuting you, a level of intent to commit the crime needs to be proven. Your mental state will be taken into account because the prosecution has to prove that you were in sound mind when you committed the crime and are thus culpable under state law.

f you knowingly engage in prohibited conduct, then the case will be fairly straightforward. Those with certain mental health conditions may put up a plea claiming they weren’t in sound mind. 

Prohibited Conduct

The term “prohibited conduct” can be a bit confusing because it sounds like it refers to any unlawful conduct. Generally, however, it’s referring to improper conduct from one person towards another. This most often occurs within personal relationships and at the workplace.

Prohibited conduct is usually brought up if there’s been discrimination, sexual harassment or assault, stalking, retaliation, or some form of exploitation. 

Criminal Charges and Bail

Criminal charges can take months to resolve, so the first thing you’ll want to do is attempt to get out on bail so you can continue living your life. Bail bonds allow you to remain free while you fight your case, so long as you remain in the state, attend court, and abide by trial outcomes.

Not everyone can afford bail, which is where a bail bond agent comes in. At EZPZ Bail Bonds, we can help you deal with the North Carolina legal system. Head to our site today to book a consultation.