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Representation for Criminal Cases

If you’ve been arrested and accused of a crime, you need to hire a good lawyer right away. You’re going to need help maneuvering through the legal system and Attorney Ryan B. Addison is here to assist you. You need an expreienced attorney that knows what they're doing. Attorney Ryan Addison has over 20 years of legal expreience and will provide responsive and effective representation in your criminal cases. He understands how to navigate the criminal justice system while remaining understanding and compassionate throughout the entire process. Do you have questions about your options? Call Attorney Ryan B. Addison at 704-603-4275 or use the button below to schedule an appointment for your consultation today!

Misdemeanors Attorney

Misdemeanors are divided into one of four classes (3, 2, 1, and A1) ranging from the least serious, Class 3, to the most serious, Class A1. Class 3 misdemeanors carry a maximum active sentence of 20 days of incarceration, and Class A1 misdemeanors carry a maximum active sentence of 150 days. For misdemeanors, the defendant’s prior record level is divided into three categories: Level 1—no prior convictions; Level 2—one to four prior convictions; and Level 3—five or more prior convictions. Some of the most common misdemeanors are included below. Use the button to jump to your specific misdemeanor case type.

Fraud and Other Financial Crimes Attorney

Attorney for All Other Criminal Matters

Closeup of a man holding his mobile phone and touching the screen A young woman is looking at and using her mobile phone A person is looking at an open laptop and also at their cell phone
NC State Bar Logo
NC Bar Association logo
Davie County Courthouse
Rowan county courthouse
The Law Offices of Ryan B. Addison, P.A. logo
CONTACT
PRACTICE AREAS
Mon-Thur: 8am - 4pm Fri: 8am - 12pm
PRACTICE LOCATIONS IN NC
DAVIE COUNTY ROWAN COUNTY DAVIDSON COUNTY
MOCKSVILLE SALISBURY LEXINGTON
CONNECT
The Law Offices of Ryan B. Addison, P.A. All rights reserved. Web development by A Better Web, Inc.

Representation for

Criminal Cases

If you’ve been arrested and accused of a crime, you need to hire a good lawyer right away. You’re going to need help maneuvering through the legal system and Attorney Ryan B. Addison is here to assist you. You need an expreienced attorney that knows what they're doing. Attorney Ryan Addison has over 20 years of legal expreience and will provide responsive and effective representation in your criminal cases. He understands how to navigate the criminal justice system while remaining understanding and compassionate throughout the entire process. Do you have questions about your options? Call Attorney Ryan B. Addison at 704-603- 4275 or use the button below to schedule an appointment for your consultation today!

Misdemeanors Attorney

Misdemeanors are divided into one of four classes (3, 2, 1, and A1) ranging from the least serious, Class 3, to the most serious, Class A1. Class 3 misdemeanors carry a maximum active sentence of 20 days of incarceration, and Class A1 misdemeanors carry a maximum active sentence of 150 days. For misdemeanors, the defendant’s prior record level is divided into three categories: Level 1—no prior convictions; Level 2—one to four prior convictions; and Level 3—five or more prior convictions. Some of the most common misdemeanors are included below. Use the button to jump to your specific misdemeanor case type.

Fraud and Other Financial

Crimes Attorney

Attorney for All Other

Criminal Matters

Closeup of a man holding his mobile phone and touching the screen A young woman is looking at and using her mobile phone A person is looking at an open laptop and also at their cell phone

Shoplifting and Misdemeanor Larceny

Shoplifting, or concealment of merchandise, is a

Class 3 misdemeanor punishable by up to 20 days in

jail and is often charged when items are concealed

while still on store property. Misdemeanor larceny, a

Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to 120 days

in jail, is charged where the item taken is valued at

less than $1000, no breaking and entering occurred,

and the individual has exhibited the intent to

deprive the owner permanently of its use. Contact

us now for a fast case evaluation.

Resist, Delay or Obstruct a Law

Enforcement Officer

A Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60

days in jail, where the offender interferes with the

carrying out of a law enforcement official’s duty.

This can include running or resisting the police

during an arrest, lying to an officer about your

name or the location of an individual when an

arrest warrant is being served, or interfering with

an officer who is carrying out various other official

duties. Contact us now for a fast case evaluation.

Damage or Injury to Personal Property and

Real Property

Includes damage or destruction to buildings, land,

or personal property such as vehicles, and

punishable as a Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanor.

Trespassing – Trespassing occurs when one

remains on property after being notified not to

enter or remain on the premises, and it is

punishable as either a Class 2 or Class 3

misdemeanor. Contact us now for a fast case

evaluation.

Disorderly Conduct and Public Disturbance

Charged as a Class 2 misdemeanor, these offenses

involve public fighting, the public use of abusive

language or gestures, blocking entry to a public

building, disrupting the education of students in a

public or private school, or disruption of a religious

service. Contact us now for a fast case evaluation.

Simple Assault and Simple Affray

Both Class 2 misdemeanors, simple assault is any

offensive contact or the apprehension of harmful

physical contact by another person and simple

affray is defined as engaging in fighting in a public

place. Contact us now for a fast case evaluation.

Communicating Threats, Stalking,

Cyberstalking, and Harassing Phone Calls

These misdemeanors include threats of harm to

another where it is reasonable to believe the threat

could be carried out, as well as repeated contact

with another in person, by phone, text, or email,

where the purpose is to harass, threaten, or annoy

the alleged victim.

For first-time offenders, Ryan has had great past

success getting his clients entered into diversion

programs that, upon completion, result in a

voluntary dismissal. Contact the Law Offices of

Ryan B. Addison for more information.

Embezzlement

Involves the willful or knowing use of property of

another for unauthorized purposes while acting

in a fiduciary capacity. For property or cash under

$100k, it is a Class H felony punishable by up to

30 months in prison; for property or cash over

$100k, it is a Class C felony punishable by up to

261 months in prison. Contact us now for a fast

case evaluation.

Obtaining Property by False Pretenses

The false representation of a past, existing, or

future fact, or promise of future performance,

that is intended to deceive and does in fact

deceive another from whom money, services, or

something of value is obtained. For any amount

under $100k, this is punishable as a Class H

felony with up to 30 months in prison; an amount

over $100k is a Class C felony and punishable by

up to 261 months in prison. Contact us now for a

fast case evaluation.

Forgery and Uttering

Forgery is the making, falsifying, or counterfeiting

of any check, note, or warrant with the intent to

injure or defraud. It is a Class I felony, punishable

by up to 15 months in prison. Uttering is the

attempt to pass or the passing of a forged

instrument to gain or to injure another and is

also a Class I felony, punishable by up to 15

months in prison. Contact us now for a fast case

evaluation.

Alcohol Offense Attorney

There are a number of activities that can be

captured under this heading, from underage

drinking, to selling to minors, to offenses

involving alcohol and the operation of motor

vehicles. If faced with any of these offenses, or

other charges involving alcohol, contact Ryan

Addison for a consultation.

Assault Attorney

This category of offense addresses a wide range

of violent actions or threats of violence.

Depending on the nature of the assault, the

victim, and the injury, assaults can range from

simple misdemeanors to serious felonies. Need

help with your defense? Contact the Law Offices

of Ryan B. Addison.

Bond Modifications Attorney

If you or a loved one is in jail while your case is

pending, there are some instances in which the

services of an attorney may result in a bond

reduction or modification. That reduction or

modification means the difference between

freedom and continued jail time. Contact the

Law Offices of Ryan B. Addison for help.

Burglary / Breaking and Entering Attorney

Burglary is entering a building with the intent to

commit a crime. This includes entering even an

open garage or a door to a house or business that

has been left unlocked. If there are people inside

at the time, or if you have had prior convictions, it

is a serious felony with probable prison time.

Contact us now for a fast case evaluation.

DWI or DUI Attorney

When charged with this type of offense, two

legal questions are important in determining

how to handle your case. First, did the officer

have a reasonable suspicion to stop your

vehicle? Second, was there probable cause for

your arrest? The answers to these questions can

be the deciding factors between a guilty plea

and a not guilty plea. Attorney Ryan B. Addison

looks closely at these questions in every case to

determine the best course of action.

Even if a guilty plea is appropriate, there are

many factors that the court will consider in a

DWI or DUI case to determine the appropriate

punishment. Such factors include: the level of

alcohol involved, prior convictions, and whether

you had a valid license at the time of arrest.

Attorney Ryan B. Addison will look at all of these

factors and others to determine where you

stand. Additionally, Ryan’s familiarity with the

law and the local justice system can make a real

difference. A DWI/DUI conviction can have fines

as high as $4,000, and jail time in excess of two

years. Because there is so much at stake and

there are so many complexities, it is highly

advisable to seek counsel. Contact The Law

Offices of Ryan B. Addison for help.

Domestic Violence Protection Attorney

In North Carolina, a person who is the victim of

domestic violence, the victim of threatened

domestic violence, or who is stalked or harassed to

the degree he or she suffers emotional distress,

may file a complaint and motion for a domestic

violence protective order. There must exist or have

existed a relationship between the parties, such as

being family members, current or former dating

partners, parties with a child in common, or

current or former spouses.

When the complaint and motion are filed, the

alleged victim has an opportunity to seek an ex

parte (one-sided) temporary protective order until

a hearing is set so that the other side may have an

opportunity to be heard. This is a civil action,

although the violation of the protective order is a

crime. In some instances, the court may

temporarily award child custody, child support,

and/or spousal support. The court may also grant

possession of the residence and/or vehicle(s).

Many complex issues are involved in these

matters, and many potential pitfalls exist for the

party under such an order, including jail time. In

such a situation, it is wise to proceed with the

assistance of counsel. Contact The Law Offices of

Ryan B. Addison for help.

Drug Offenses Attorney

For drugs such as heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, or

methamphetamines, the state of North Carolina

considers even simple possession to be a felony.

On the other hand, possession of small amounts

of marijuana or paraphernalia is only considered

a misdemeanor, which can carry lighter penalties

but still adversely affect your future. For these

lesser charges, and even some low-level felonies,

our law firm may be able to help you enroll in a

diversionary program. Programs of this nature

require you to perform community service or

agree to take certain classes and in exchange,

your charges may be dropped.

The most common program is called the 90-96

Program. The 90-96 Program allows the judge, in

his or her discretion to voluntarily dismiss the

charge of first-time offenders. After the dismissal

is entered, the client is eligible to file an

expungement that removes any record that the

defendant was ever charged with the dismissed

crime. In exchange for this opportunity to earn a

dismissal, the program typically only requires

that you take a drug or alcohol education class

and refrain from picking up any new charges.

If you have been charged with drug trafficking in

North Carolina, it is important that you contact

an experienced criminal defense lawyer

immediately. Drug trafficking convictions carry

mandatory prison sentences and very large fines

that are non-negotiable. A key factor in this

analysis is the quantity of the drugs. The charge

of “possession with intent to sell and deliver” is

less serious than a trafficking charge, and the

difference between the charges is based solely

on the amount of drugs. By addressing this and

other key questions, the Law Offices of Ryan B.

Addison can help in your defense. Contact us for

a fast case evaluation.

Expungements / Expunctions Attorney

The State of North Carolina allows for one

expungement per lifetime per individual. You may

be eligible for expungement in these

circumstances, if:

The charge was dismissed, you were found

not guilty, or there was no finding of probable

cause and you simply want the charge erased

from your record. As long as you have never

used an expungement and have not been

convicted of a felony, you may be eligible to

have multiple charges removed provided that

the dates of the offense happened within one

year.

You have a conviction for a misdemeanor

where the date of offense occurred before

your 18th birthday, you have no other criminal

record before or since that misdemeanor, and

you have waited two years since the date of

conviction or period of probation is over.

You have a conviction for a “non-violent”

felony where the date of offense occurred

before your 18th birthday, you have had no

other criminal convictions before or since, and

you have waited four years since the

conviction or completion of probation,

whichever occurs later. There are additional

requirements under this statute.

You have a conviction for misdemeanor drug

possession or paraphernalia, felony

possession of certain drugs, or underage

possession of alcohol; the charge occurred

before your 21st birthday; and you have had

no other criminal convictions on your record

before or since. There are additional

requirements under this statute.

You were ANY AGE on the date of offense, you

were convicted of a “non-violent” felony or

misdemeanor, you have had no other criminal

convictions on your record before or since,

and you have waited 15 years after the

conviction or completion of probation,

whichever occurs later. There are additional

requirements under this statute.

The expungement process usually takes more

than six months from the date of the filing of

the petition with the clerk. If the applicant is

seeking removal of any matter that was

dismissed pursuant to a deferral program, or

if it is a conviction you are seeking to remove,

there is a $175 filing fee that must accompany

the petition. Contact The Law Offices of Ryan

B. Addison for help.

Felonies Attorney

Sentencing for felonies is more extensive than

for misdemeanors. Felonies are categorized in

classes ranging from Class I—the least serious,

carrying a maximum punishment of 15 months

in prison—to Class A—the most serious,

carrying a maximum sentence of death, or life

without parole. The prior record level for

felonies will range from a record Level 1 for a

defendant with 0 points, to the most serious

prior record level, Level 6, which is the level for

defendants with 19 or more points. Under

felony sentencing, the points for ascertaining

the record level are determined by a set of rules

where prior misdemeanor convictions carry one

point each and prior felony convictions carry

two points each for the least serious felonies

and up to ten points each for the most serious.

How you will ultimately be sentenced, should

you be found guilty or plead guilty, will depend

on the class of the offense you are charged with

and your prior record level. If you plan to

asserting innocence, the likely outcome will be a

jury trial in which your guilt or innocence is

determined by a group of twelve of your peers.

Due to the complexities involved in a felony

case, the risk of incarceration, and the potential

for other collateral consequences, you should

not undertake these matters without the

assistance of capable counsel. Contact The Law

Offices of Ryan B. Addison for help.

Juvenile Offense Attorney

Juveniles can commit the same crimes as adults

and will be assigned a court-appointed counsel.

Still, you have the option of hiring your own

attorney, so call the Law Offices of Ryan B.

Addison now. In dealing with juvenile crime, the

state of North Carolina is more concerned with

rehabilitation than punishment. Penalties are

often less severe, and judges and prosecutors

are usually more willing to find compromises

that will not necessarily destroy the child’s

chance at having a successful future. In many

cases, Ryan can help you appeal to the court for

alternative forms of sentencing. For example,

instead of being sentenced to a juvenile

detention center, a juvenile may be sent to a

wilderness therapy program or other type of

counseling facility. In some cases, charges may

be deferred or dropped in exchange for

community service. Contact The Law Offices of

Ryan B. Addison for help.

Felony Larceny and Shoplifting Attorney

For felonies, typically the offense will involve items

in excess of $1,000 in value or obtained pursuant

to a breaking and entering. Contact the Law

Offices of Ryan B. Addison to schedule a

consultation.

Orders for Arrest Attorney

The most common scenario involving such orders

for arrest is when a person misses court. At the

Law Offices of Ryan B. Addison, we have

represented a number of clients seeking to get

orders for arrest stricken. If an order for your

arrest has been issued, contact The Law Offices of

Ryan B. Addison for help.

Probation Violations Attorney

If you are currently on probation, you should

consider yourself fortunate that you are not in jail.

Probation is a contract, between you and the

court, to avoid jail time. If you have been brought

into court for a probation violation, it is alleged

you broke that contract. Some probation

violations are technical in nature; some are

substantive. You need an attorney who knows and

understands these differences and who can

advocate on your behalf as to why you need more

time on probation as opposed to an activation of

your jail sentence. It is advisable that you not try

to do this on your own. Contact The Law Offices

of Ryan B. Addison to schedule a consult.

Sex Crimes Attorney

A conviction for a sexual offense could

negatively affect your life for years. In addition

to a jail or prison sentence and possibly

mandatory registration as a sex offender,

collateral consequences may include difficulties

finding a job, maintaining family relationships,

and finding suitable housing. If you have been

arrested or charged with a sex crime, Contact

The Law Offices of Ryan B. Addison for help.

Weapons Offenses Attorney

We represent those charged with weapons

violations involving guns, knives, brass knuckles,

and other dangerous items used to intimidate or

harm another person. In North Carolina, if you

have a felony conviction, you are stripped of your

right to possess a firearm. Even if you are not

carrying the gun—if it is in your car or your

house—as a felon you could still be charged with

a weapons violation. Carrying a concealed gun is a

misdemeanor offense in North Carolina unless

you have a concealed-carry permit. Contact The

Law Offices of Ryan B. Addison for help.

Some of the most common financial crimes are included below. Use the button to jump to your specific case type.
Some of the most common other criminal matters are included below. Use the button to jump to your specific case type.