While my child at least feigns general interest in my work as a criminal defense attorney, two recent stories seem to have struck a chord. We have been actively discussing the Oklahoma Homecoming case and it’s complexities.
The most recent local case involves a young woman in Charlotte charged with a felony in the tragic loss of a friend. Tonight at supper I was peppered with a host of questions:
In an earlier post “The Grand Jury – What Does It Mean to be Indicted” we briefly mentioned the “indictment” and Grand Jury proceedings. Although most people have a working understanding of what the word “indictment” means and at the least have heard it used previously in news reports, television series and crime novels; most do not understand the integral role it plays in our complex legal system. It is therefore prudent to start from the ground up in understanding what an indictment is and the role it plays in the criminal legal practice.
To recap, the grand jury decides to issue an indictment if it believes there is sufficient evidence to charge someone with a crime. An indictment is the document setting forth such charges. To be specific, North Carolina General Statute 15A-641(a) defines the indictment as “a written accusation by a grand jury, filed with a superior court, charging a person with the commission of one or more criminal offenses.” Merrium-Webster Dictionary states the meaning quite simply as “an official written statement charging a person with a crime.”
Friends, loved ones and family members of someone accused of a felony are often shocked to learn of the charge or arrest. It’s not unusual for lawyers to be asked: What Can I Do? What Happens Next? What Happens To People Charged With Felonies? How Are Felonies Handled in Court? Frankly, the people charged with the offense, which likely starts with an arrest, face some the same issues. Good information makes for good choices.
The attorneys at Powers Law Firm PA are here to answer questions. Immediately following an arrest, charge or indictment, it makes sense to address:
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