Carolina Criminal Defense & DUI Lawyer UpdatesSentencing and Consequences of Felony Death by Vehicle Convictions
Felony Death by Vehicle is classified as a Class D felony in North Carolina. While almost all Class D felonies require active prison time, there is an extremely important exception. N.C.G.S. § 20-141.4(b)(2) allows a judge to impose an intermediate sentence upon a conviction of Felony Death by Vehicle if the defendant is determined to be a Prior Record Level One or “PRL I. That means, in limited circumstances and in the Court’s discretion, the judge may suspend the prison term and instead enter a judgment that includes probation. Probation remains discretionary and is by no means a legal right or guaranteed.
A conviction for Felony Death by Vehicle results in a felony criminal record. The consequences extend beyond incarceration. You may also face substantial fines, court costs, and civil exposure through a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the decedent’s family.
can seek an appeal from district criminal court to Superior Court for a fresh trial. But does this trial de novo appeal truly safeguard the right to a fair trial?
obligations that apply after a conviction, such as sex offender registration or satellite-based monitoring, do not automatically attach to a pending charge, there are circumstances in which an arrest or charge alone can affect a defendant’s rights, freedom, and access to legal relief.
involving sex offenses in North Carolina. Although it shares some similarities with electronic monitoring during probation, SBM is not limited to a period of court supervision. It can continue for years after release from prison and, in some cases, may be imposed for life.
of criminal convictions, called “reportable convictions,” that trigger mandatory registration. Understanding who must register, how the law defines qualifying offenses, and how long those obligations last is essential for anyone facing charges that might carry these consequences.
been accused of a crime. But in real life, this idea is often misunderstood. You may hear it said in court, and you might even believe it should protect you. Still, once you’ve been charged, it can feel like the system assumes the opposite.
about strategies. We dissect rulings. We joke, sometimes darkly, because it keeps the walls from closing in. The emotional cost of criminal defense, the weight we carry, the doubt we swallow, the sorrow we sit beside, is something most of us keep to ourselves.
far beyond the walls of the courtroom. While jails are traditionally viewed as holding facilities for criminal defendants accused of crimes, it is not uncommon for people experiencing acute mental health crises to be booked into jail rather than admitted to a psychiatric or substance use treatment facility equipped to provide appropriate care.