This page was written, edited, reviewed & approved by Justin C. Olsinski following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. Justin C. Olsinski, the Founding Partner, has 16+ years of legal experience as an attorney.
A violent crime charge in Raleigh can put your freedom, your job, and your family's future at risk, and the choices you make in the first few days often shape everything that follows. You need a Raleigh violent crime lawyer who will step in fast, protect your rights, and start fighting for you right away.
The Olsinski Law Firm helps you push back against serious charges across Wake County, and our team is ready to build a strong defense from day one. Call us now at (704) 457-0740.
The Olsinski Law Firm brings real courtroom experience to serious criminal cases, and our attorneys are recognized among North Carolina's top trial lawyers by groups that reward results in front of a jury. We know how frightening a violent crime charge feels, so we handle your case with care as we prepare to challenge every piece of the state's evidence.
When your freedom is on the line in Wake County, you want a team that is trial-ready, honest about your options, and willing to fight hard for the best possible outcome. That is exactly what our clients get.
A violent crime in North Carolina is any offense that involves harming another person, threatening to harm them, or using force against them.
These crimes range from simple assault to serious felonies like armed robbery and murder, and North Carolina assigns the harshest felony classes to offenses that involve victim injury or the risk of injury. The specific charge and its class decide how much prison time you could face, which is why early legal help matters so much.
North Carolina sorts violent crimes into misdemeanors and felonies, and the two carry very different consequences for anyone convicted.
| Category | What It Means | Examples | Possible Penalties |
| Misdemeanor | Less serious violent offenses, sorted into Classes A1, 1, 2, and 3 | Simple assault, assault on a female, and communicating threats | Probation, fines, and shorter jail terms |
| Felony | More serious violent offenses, sorted into Classes A through I | Armed robbery, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, homicide | Longer active prison sentences, large fines, and a permanent record |
Our attorneys defend people across Wake County who are facing a wide range of violent crime charges, and we bring the same focused, aggressive approach to every case.
Here are the main types of cases The Olsinski Law Firm handles:
Assault charges can come from a bar fight, a heated argument, or a false accusation, and they range from misdemeanors to serious felonies when a weapon or serious injury is involved. We look closely at what really happened and challenge weak or exaggerated claims.
Domestic violence charges move fast and often rely on one person's word, which means the story you hear in court may not be the full truth. Our team protects your rights, examines the evidence, and works to keep one accusation from controlling your future.
Robbery means taking property by force or threat, and armed robbery carries some of the toughest felony penalties in North Carolina. We dig into the identification, the evidence, and the alleged threat to build the strongest defense possible.
Homicide and manslaughter charges are the most serious a person can face, since first-degree murder is a Class A felony that can bring life in prison or even the death penalty in North Carolina. These cases demand a trial-ready team, and that is what we deliver.
Kidnapping and related charges involve holding or moving another person against their will, and they often ride alongside other serious felony counts. We work to separate fact from assumption and challenge every element the state must prove.
After an arrest for a violent crime in Raleigh, your case moves through several stages, and knowing what comes next helps you stay calm and make smart choices.
Here is the general path most cases follow.
A violent crime conviction in North Carolina can follow you for the rest of your life, and the penalties depend on the offense class and your prior record.
Here are the main consequences you could face:
North Carolina uses structured sentencing, which ties your prison time to the felony class and your criminal history, and serious violent felonies almost always bring active prison terms. The most severe cases can lead to decades behind bars or life imprisonment.
Some cases end in probation instead of prison, but that comes with strict rules you must follow. Many felony sentences also include post-release supervision, which keeps you under state monitoring in the community after you leave prison.
Courts can impose large fines in addition to any prison time, and judges have broad discretion over the amount for most felonies. You may also owe restitution to pay back the alleged victim for their losses.
A violent crime conviction leaves a lasting mark that can block jobs, housing, and other opportunities for years. This is one of the biggest reasons to fight the charge hard from the very start, and our team is here to help you do that.
Every violent crime case has weak points, and a strong defense can lead to reduced charges, a dismissal, or a not-guilty verdict.
Here are some of the defenses our attorneys use:
Prosecutors build violent crime cases from several types of evidence, and knowing what they rely on helps your defense team plan its strategy.
Prosecutors lean heavily on what witnesses say they saw or heard, but memory is often flawed, and stories can change. We test each statement for bias, inconsistency, and reliability.
Video from security cameras, doorbells, and police body cameras can play a major role in these cases. We review every frame, since footage sometimes helps the defense as much as the state.
Forensic evidence can seem powerful, but it is only as good as the way it was collected and tested. We examine the chain of custody and lab work for mistakes that could weaken the state's case.
Prosecutors often pull messages and posts to show intent or motive, and these can be taken out of context. Our team fights to keep unfair or misleading digital evidence from shaping your case.
Yes. In North Carolina, you can be charged with a violent crime even if no one was physically hurt, because threatening someone or attempting to harm them can be enough. Charges like assault by pointing a weapon or communicating threats show that intent and fear can support a case on their own.
The alleged victim cannot simply drop the charges because the state, not the victim, decides whether to move forward. A prosecutor can push a case ahead even when the accuser wants to stop, though the victim's wishes may still affect how the case is handled. This is one more reason to have a lawyer guiding you.
Yes. Violent crime charges can often be reduced or dismissed, especially when the evidence is weak, the police made mistakes, or your rights were violated. A skilled defense team can negotiate for a lesser charge or push for a full dismissal, and The Olsinski Law Firm works toward the best outcome your case allows.
A Raleigh violent crime lawyer does far more than stand beside you in court, and the right attorney can change the direction of your entire case.
Here is how our team helps.
Facing a violent crime charge in Raleigh is scary, but you do not have to face it alone, and the sooner you act, the more our team can do to protect you. The Olsinski Law Firm has the trial experience, the local knowledge, and the drive to fight for the best possible result in Wake County.
Do not wait while the state builds its case against you. Call our Raleigh violent crime lawyer today at (704) 457-0740 for a free case evaluation, and let us start defending your future right now.
Mr. Olsinski founded his criminal defense practice in Charlotte, NC, in January 2010. He has successfully defended cases ranging from B1 Felony First Degree Sex Offenses/First Degree Murder to Misdemeanor marijuana charges.
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