What happens after a charge
In North Carolina, some charges against a current or former partner or household member go to a judge for release conditions (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-534.1). Assault is one of them. Those conditions can include staying away from the other person and from a shared home. They apply right away, and breaking them is a separate offense.
The other person may also ask a court for a protective order. That’s a separate civil case. We don’t handle protective order cases.
Can the charge be dropped?
The prosecutor brings the charge for the State, so the other person can’t simply drop it. They can tell the prosecutor what they want, but the prosecutor decides whether the case goes forward.
What to do now, and what not to do
- Follow every release condition, even if the other person contacts you.
- Don’t contact the other person through friends, family or social media if the conditions forbid it.
- Don’t post about the case.
- Keep your paperwork and write down what happened while you remember it.
- Go to every court date.
How the fee is set
The fee depends on the charge and the court. You’ll see it in writing before any work begins.
Contact us
Call 980-243-4470 with your paperwork in front of you, or request a time online. See criminal defense for other charges.
Responsible attorney: Christine Hart (North Carolina), 122 N. McDowell Street, Charlotte, NC 28204.