GREENSBORO CRIMINAL LAWYERS

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Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law
317 S. Greene St, Greensboro, NC 27401
336-379-0539

OFFICE HOURS:
Monday – 8:15 AM – 5:15 PM
Tuesday – 8:15 AM – 5:15 PM
Wednesday – 8:15 AM – 5:15 PM
Thursday – 8:15 AM – 5:15 PM
Friday – 8:15 AM – 5:00 PM

www.garrettandwalker.com

Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law

4.9

Based on 231 reviews

review us on

Karen Williams

13:49 09 Jun 22

If you find yourself in need of an attorney I would highly recommend Hilary Hux! She and her entire team (Casey Robinson, Kristen Reese) were an absolute pleasure to work with from start to finish. They were always very attentive to my needs and always responded to any question or concern I had in a timely manner. The sincerity they displayed while handling my divorce case made a difficult time in my life more bearable knowing I had them on my side. Simply put they are a genuine group of people that do the absolute best job they can for their clients and words can't express how thankful I am to have had the experience to work with them.

Natasha Leake

19:07 02 May 22

Jason Aycoth and his team were so diligent in assisting my family with our legal issues. Communication was never lacking and they were always readily available to assist my family no matter what the need was. Not only was he very professional every time we spoke, he was also friendly and personable. I will be recommending Jason Aycoth to anyone I know is in need of legal services.

John Morris

12:59 26 Apr 22

Martha Massie is a fantastic lawyer. Her knowledge of the law, her thoroughness and attention to detail are superior. Most importantly, she cares about her clients which can clearly be seen by her hard work. I highly recommend Martha!

candace james

17:57 19 Apr 22

Chad Garrett is one amazing lawyer. He is very professional, charismatic, and gets things done no matter what. He has helped me time after time and is always in a pleasant disposition. So thankful to have met him and to have him on my side. Thank you Mr. Garrett.

Bill Dawkins

15:02 06 Mar 22

Casey Robinson worked with my wife and I making a name change for our grandson. Her knowledge and ability made the task easy to complete. We would recommend her services and call on her again if needed.

Charlie Gardener

21:26 03 Jan 22

I had a situation that needed to be resolved expeditiously. I call Jason Aycoth. He resolved the issue quickly. He treated me with the utmost care and respect. Everyone I spoke to in his office was courteous. I have attempted to get this matter resolved through other attorneys in the area. None came close to the experience I had with Jason and his team. I highly recommend you taking the time to hire Jason Aycoth. Jason my family and I are grateful for you! We send you the highest regards.

Sarah S

00:49 23 Nov 21

I was involved in an altercation that would forever change my life. I was referred to Jason Aycoth for help. Help wasn't all I received. Jason discussed my case with the DA. Together after reviewing my case, they took my personal record and military record into consideration. Next, a miracle was presented. Jason and the DA gave me a path to resolving my case and a path to clear my record. I've never had to use an attorney in this capacity but, rest assured, Jason Aycoth and his team earned a 5 star rating from me. I fully endorse and recommend him to any potential clients.

Sam Walker

16:12 29 Sep 21

Excellent staff! Very knowledgeable in family and personal injury. Would highly recommend to anyone!

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Table of Contents

• Do I need a Greensboro Criminal lawyer?
• What should I do if I’m stopped by the police?
• What’s the Difference between a Misdemeanor and a Felony?
• What’s the Difference between State and Federal Criminal Charges?
• Contact Garrett, Walker, Aycoth, & Olson, Attorneys at Law
• GARRETT, WALKER, AYCOTH & OLSON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW

Do I need a Greensboro Criminal Lawyer?

When it comes to dealing with criminal charges, one of the most important, if not the most important decisions you will make is whether to hire a criminal defense lawyer for your case. Please note, you have a right to represent yourself, hire an attorney or request a public defender. The question is with your life, who would you feel most comfortable with being your voice in the courtroom?

Our Greensboro criminal lawyers bring decades of invaluable experience dealing with misdemeanor and felony crimes throughout North Carolina. We have three former Guilford County District Attorneys on our staff, and we also have multiple former Presidents of the Greensboro Criminal Defense Lawyers Association at our law firm. When it comes to criminal defense attorneys in Greensboro, NC who have the reputation and ability to help you with your criminal charges, look no further than Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law. We help you with your criminal charges, while also being there for you and your family for any other legal issues that may arise. Call us today at 336-379-0539.

What should I do if I’m stopped by the Police?

Our criminal defense lawyers in Greensboro, NC are often confronted with the fact that our clients have hurt themselves more than they’ve helped themselves after being stopped by the police. We have some recommendations as to what you should do if you’re stopped and questioned by a law enforcement officer.

1. If you don’t know what to do, just remain silent – it’s your right!
   1. In North Carolina, and in the United States for that matter, you have the right to remain silent and not say anything at all. The Fifth Amendment gives every person the right to refuse to make a statement that may incriminate ourselves in a potential criminal case.
   2. If you’re scared and you don’t know what to do or what to say, remember that you have the right to remain silent and anything you say can be used against you. No response and remaining silent is your right, so if unsure of what to say, you can just remain quiet.
2. Being Calm, Respectful, and Polite with Law Enforcement can Help Your Case Later.
   1. This is tough, especially when you know you haven’t done anything wrong or have no idea why the police are questioning you. Our Greensboro criminal defense lawyers often encounter cases where our clients have decided the best course of action is to let the officers know just how they feel about the situation, this often leads to more charges, and also with the Greensboro Police Department utilizing Body Worn Camera, if you have committed a crime, this often makes it difficult to negotiate the resolution you’re looking for when the District Attorney can see the way you treated the officers on scene.
   2. Our Greensboro criminal attorneys have seen clients who may have committed a minor crime, be able to walk away with only a warning because they were polite and respectful to the officer. This doesn’t happen in every situation but it does take place. We are in a better-negotiating position when we can show the District Attorney that you were respectful to law enforcement at the scene. However, if you’ve done nothing wrong, you have a right to let the officer know it, and our criminal attorneys in Greensboro, NC, will do everything we can to make sure you’re found to be innocent in court.
3. When Should I Call a Criminal Lawyer in Greensboro, NC? IMMEDIATELY!
   1. Look, when you’re stopped by the police, this is not the time to see what they need. It’s time to call a top-rated criminal lawyer in Greensboro, NC to make sure they’re on your side at the very onset of the stop. If you’re trying to talk you’re way out of a felony charge on scene, please know, that’s probably not going to work and you may later wish that you had just followed step one and remained silent.
   2. Misdemeanor and felony charges can cause you to be arrested and placed in custody. Sometimes if it’s a domestic case, this can lead to a domestic hold, and if it’s a firearm by a felon charge, you can receive a firearm hold. These holds mean you cannot bond out and will need a Greensboro criminal defense lawyer to fight for you so you can have the opportunity to have a reasonable bond set so you can get out of custody.
   3. Criminal defense is a highly technical area of practice, and making sure you exercise your right to remain silent and have an attorney who cares about your well-being is vital in your defense. An attorney can advise you of rights so you know exactly what to say and do at the time of the stop or during the course of an investigation or search. Our Greensboro criminal lawyers are here to help you with a criminal investigation, whether it be for misdemeanor or felony charges.
4. Know the Difference Between Misdemeanor and Felony Charges
   1. I know, “I think they said I’m being charged with a misdemeanor something” and the question our top-rated criminal lawyers are asked all of the time, is what’s the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor? Misdemeanors generally face sentences of less than a year in jail and felonies face sentences that are typically one year plus in prison. Misdemeanor offenses can send you to jail, felony offenses can send you to prison.
   2. The follow-up to this question, is what’s the difference between jail and prison in North Carolina. Jail is a local county facility, for instance, in Guilford County, we have both the Greensboro Jail and the High Point Jail. These are the local facilities where every person arrested in Greensboro and High Point is sent to after they’re initially arrested. A magistrate will then set conditions of pre-trial release or may place a person under a domestic hold or a firearm hold if the circumstances warrant it.
5. Do Not Post Bail or Pay Your Bond Until After You Spoke with a Criminal Defense Attorney
   1. Family members and friends never want to see anyone they know locked up for any period of time and in most situations, they move to go ahead and bond with their loved one as soon as possible. If it’s a low bond and a simple misdemeanor case, then it would make sense to bond them out, but if it’s a high-level felony there are things you should keep in mind.
      1. A Greensboro criminal lawyer can review the facts of your case and make a determination as to what a reasonable bond should be. In Guilford County, there are bond guidelines, and a magistrate may have gone way above the guidelines when initially setting your bond and you may be better off waiting until after your first appearance to bond out.
      2. Bail bondsmen generally charge a percentage of the bond to get someone out. For instance, let’s just say you have a $100,000 bond and the bondsman is charging a 15% fee which would be $15,000 to bond your loved one out. Instead of bonding them out, you hire a Greensboro criminal defense lawyer for their first appearance with the hope that they’ll be able to reduce their bond. Let’s say the bond gets reduced at the first appearance by the criminal lawyer to $25,000. Then to bond them out would only be $3,750 to get them bonded out, which is quite the difference
      3. Sometimes our Guilford County criminal defense lawyers will see that the bond set by the magistrate is low and we’ll advise that you get them out prior to the first appearance because our concern would be that the judge may go up with the bond.
6. Please, Tell Your Criminal Defense Lawyer the Truth!
   1. We’re here for you. Never forget that. But we cannot help you to the extent we normally would if we’re being told something that didn’t happen. We prepare a defense and strategy for your case around that story, and then later on down the road, we find out the circumstances are completely different. Our Greensboro criminal defense attorneys may have lost precious time to be able to help you and sometimes the opportunity to do certain things with reference to the facts and procedure connected to your case may be lost. It’s vital just to tell us the truth…no matter how painful it is.
   2. The information you share with us is first and foremost confidential. Attorney-client privilege is just that it’s a privilege for you to be able to air out what happened without fear of retribution. We’re here to listen to everything that happened with your situation so we can configure a strategy to put your case in the best position possible. Trust me, we’ve heard it all, so just let us know so we can be better prepared to help you with your case.
7. Please, Don’t Tell the Whole World What You Did – Or Even Your Friends & Family
   1. Conversations with family and friends are not privileged conversations. Anything you tell them can be used against you in court, so it’s important to be careful when having conversations with anyone other than your criminal lawyer.
   2. You’d be surprised at the number of our times our criminal attorneys in Greensboro, NC are told someone won’t testify against them and it’s a family member and friend only to show up in court and they’re there to testify against them. What you tell people who are not your attorney can and may be used against you in court. We’ve seen numerous relationships go sour over the course of someone having pending criminal charges, and then come time for the court case everything our client has told them has ended up back in a courtroom being used against them. Please be careful, the only privilege here is attorney-client privilege.
8. It’s Helpful For Our Criminal Lawyers if you Write Down What Happened
   1. While the events are still fresh it’s important to our lawyers that your write down exactly what happened. But keep what you wrote down just between us and you. Provide us a copy while the events are still fresh in your mind. This way once our criminal lawyers have a copy of the motion of discovery you’re not attempting to remember facts, but rather you have a copy of what happened right there in front of you to go by that was written near the date and time of the criminal charges.
9. A Witness List is Always Helpful
   1. If you know people who were there when the event took place, make a witness list and take down their phone numbers. This will be vital for later because our Greensboro criminal lawyers will need this information in order to track down witnesses should we need them to testify or for their statements prior to court.
10. Keep Up With Your Court Dates
    1. Court dates seem to be so far out and then come up quickly. It’s best to put your court date in the calendar on your cell phone as soon as you have it. Everyone has a lot going on, and a court date a month out will be here before you know it. This gets back to what we discussed earlier that it’s important to call your criminal defense lawyer in Greensboro, NC as soon as you’re charged so we can get everything organized for you. In a lot of situations, we can go to court for you on the first court date without you having to be present. We typically will email
    2. We handle recalling orders for arrest if a court date has been missed, but in a majority of situations getting our law firm involved on the front end will save you a lot of trouble down the road.

Greensboro Criminal Defense Law Infographic

Greensboro Criminal Defense Law Statistics

According to Weekly Crime Data that Greensboro Police department releases every week; Burglary was up by 65% and 17% increase in Stolen Property.  Crimes Against Persons was down by 5% and Aggravated Assault was down by 32% and Aggravated Assault with a firearm was down by 52%.

What’s the Difference Between a Felony and a Misdemeanor?

Our top-rated criminal defense lawyers in Greensboro, NC are often asked the question of what’s the difference between a misdemeanor charge and a felony charge in North Carolina?

Misdemeanors are far less severe than felony charges. An easy way to think of it, is generally a misdemeanor faces the prospect of a sentence of less than a year in jail, and a felony charge, if convicted faces the prospect of over a year in prison. Misdemeanor faces jail time and Felonies face prison time.

Misdemeanor offenses can be 2nd-degree trespass, a domestic assault such as assault on a female or simple assault, possessing marijuana less than half an ounce, shoplifting at a store, driving while impaired, DUI or DWI charges, communicating threats, etc. Felony charges range from murder to obtaining property by false pretenses, firearm by a felon, felony assault charges, drug trafficking, felony possession of drugs, and a host of other charges.

Felony charges, if convicted, can also lead to the loss of certain rights. The right to possess a firearm in North Carolina and the United States for that matter, if you’re convicted of a felony. You will no longer be able to possess certain licenses, such as selling insurance or being a practicing attorney. You also lose the right to vote, until you’ve finished your sentence and/or you’ve finished probation whichever comes last. A misdemeanor conviction doesn’t cause any of these collateral consequences but does have an effect on your future just as a felony does.

What’s the Difference Between State and Federal Criminal Charges?

A majority of people with criminal charges in North Carolina will have charges in state court and not federal court. However, it’s important to distinguish between state and federal charges and also to be aware of certain charges that may end up being moved from state to federal court.

State charges stem from crimes committed in North Carolina but federal charges can come from certain criminal offenses that affect interstate commerce, or if a crime occurs on federal lands, such as a military base, then the federal government can adopt the case.

Federal charges, first require a federal issue. For instance, if marijuana is grown in California and then shipped to North Carolina, this would be interstate, meaning between states, then this crime would affect interstate commerce and the federal government could adopt the case. But just because a case involves interstate commerce doesn’t mean they will adopt the criminal case federally.

For instance, firearms are generally manufactured somewhere other than North Carolina. That means that if someone is caught with a firearm in North Carolina then that gun at some point moved in interstate commerce. Meaning the federal government has the ability to adopt most firearms by felon cases. However, this doesn’t mean that they will, and hence a majority of a firearm by felon cases are prosecuted at the state level, and every now and then the federal government will adopt a felon in possession of a firearm case.

As a criminal defense lawyer in Greensboro, NC from Garrett, Walker, Aycoth, & Olson, Attorneys at Law know, that ending up in court is stressful. If you find yourself being charged with a crime, you need a good criminal defense attorney on your side. Even though it might feel like you have little control over what is happening to you, you do have rights, and you must be aware of what you can do to make sure you have the best defense available to you.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO AN ATTORNEY

If you have ever watched a crime show on TV, you have probably heard someone being read their Miranda rights. The Miranda rights give you the right to an attorney. Do not answer questions for the police without an attorney present. Invoke your right to an attorney as soon as possible. The processes and procedures from arrest to trial can be hard to navigate. Lawyers are educated and trained to handle these situations. Even if you have not done anything wrong, still ask for an attorney. The cops are not on your side, but a Greensboro, NC criminal defense lawyer always is.

YOUR ATTORNEY WORKS FOR YOU

Your attorney should always be working for what is in your best interests. If you feel that is not the case, you can usually change lawyers if you are unhappy with the one representing you. There may be some circumstances where the judge will not allow it, but usually, that is when the case is too far along for a new attorney to step in. With that said, changing lawyers is not an option to use lightly. Voice your concerns with your lawyer first. Give your lawyer a chance to take care of the problem before taking any drastic action.

There are some serious ramifications for firing your attorney. You will most likely still have to pay your old attorney, even if you are not thrilled with how they handled your case. You will also incur the cost of hiring a new lawyer. That lawyer will need to get up to speed with your case’s specifics, which will end up costing you even more money and time. As a last resort, though, you can hire a new attorney to represent you if you cannot get on the same page with your lawyer.

WHAT TO REMEMBER WHEN YOU’VE BEEN ARRESTED

An arrest is when someone is taken into custody by a police officer after being accused of a supposed crime. But the person arrested is not automatically assumed guilty, as they are innocent until proven otherwise. If you are arrested, the most important thing that you need to remember is that you have the right to remain silent, and you have the right to ask for an attorney. However, these rights only apply if you choose to use them. The one thing you should do for yourself is remaining quiet until you have representation from a lawyer.

Do Not Resist or Use Force

In most situations, a person does not have the right to resist being arrested. A person who uses too much resistance or force in fighting off the officer may be charged with resisting arrest, assault/battery on an officer, or an even worse charge. And, you may end up with serious injury too. Keep in mind that if you were arrested without probable cause, the time to fight is in court and not on the street. If you or someone you care about was recently arrested, we urge you to contact our law firm today for assistance now.

Use Your Right To Remain Silent

After your arrest, you will be searched either at the scene, while in jail, or both. Any evidence or contraband you have will be obtained and kept by the officer. You will then be photographed and fingerprinted, and a record of your arrest written. Some newspapers publish arrest records and may be quickly available online. If you are concerned about your arrest going public and want to know how to clear your record, all you have to do is call us. Every person has the right to stay quiet when they are arrested. You do not have to answer questions aside from your name and other information for identification purposes only. You do not have to answer the police during an interrogation either, even if they make it seem so. Have the right to not speak, that is, until you have a lawyer next to you representing your case.

Call For Help

In most states, you have the right to ask for a phone call from a lawyer, a family member, or a bail bondsman. If you are unable to afford a lawyer, a public defender will be provided for you. But keep in mind, even if the public defender is free, they may be handling many cases aside from yours and won’t be able to give the time and attention needed to have a successful verdict. When you make this phone call, remember that it may be listened to or recorded and used against you later. Be mindful of the information you share over the phone and consider waiting to get into further detail until your lawyer is with you.

WHAT DOES A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER DO?

Before reaching out to a criminal defense lawyer in Greensboro, North Carolina, you are probably wondering what exactly a criminal defense lawyer does. Well, first, a lawyer can help you navigate through the criminal justice system. The criminal justice system isn’t the easiest system to understand, which is why working with a lawyer can become extremely beneficial to you, especially if you have been charged with a crime. A lawyer will assist you with preparing and asserting your legal defense to make sure that your rights will be protected throughout the entire process.

It can be very intimidating when you are faced with questioning from police, a judge, or a prosecutor. You will need to be prepared so that you don’t incriminate yourself or perhaps say the wrong thing that can be used against you. Lawyers who specialized in criminal defense understand how to handle these types of interactions with police officers, judges, and prosecutors. They have had years of schooling, training, and experience in various criminal cases.

A criminal defense lawyer in Greensboro, North Carolina can help you with constructing your legal defense, navigating through the jury selection process, and negotiating a possible plea bargain, and they will above all – advocate for you at a trial or during sentencing. A criminal defense lawyer is focused on protecting the rights of defendants and working with them at building a defense that could reduce the negative consequences of being arrested.

Within the criminal defense area, there are a few specialized areas that your lawyer could be familiar with. These areas include cases involving drug charges, violent crimes, federal charges, or sex crime charges. If you find a lawyer who is specialized in the area that your case falls under that could be beneficial to your case. Your attorney should have experience in defending similar or other types of cases in the specialized area so that they will understand how to adequately defend you and your case.

Unfortunately, discrimination and other untoward motivations can get in the way of due process that can prevent equal treatment and rob you as an American of your rights. A criminal defense lawyer will be able to defend you against these types of injustices and errors and ensure that your rights are honored. A lawyer will be able to educate their clients on their rights, call prosecutors and police on their errors and/or overreach, and insist that their client is treated with the respect and objectivity that is owed to them during the legal process.

The legal process can be very confusing and time-consuming, but with a lawyer, you will have the advantage of having a skilled and knowledgeable professional who can assist you with understanding your options, making good choices, and avoiding deals and plea agreements that will not be in your best interest. A criminal defense lawyer in Greensboro, North Carolina from Garrett, Walker, Aycoth, & Olson, Attorneys at Law will have your best interests in mind.

Garrett, Walker, Aycoth, & Olson Greensboro Criminal Defense Lawyer

317 S. GREENE ST, GREENSBORO, NC 27401

Greensboro Criminal Defense Lawyer Google Review

“Jason is the best attorney I have ever worked with in my entire life and I was absolutely blessed to find him. Jason worked with me on my case for nearly two years and eventually negotiated with the district attorney (DA) to have my charges dismissed. Given the uniqueness of my case and my situation, he never gave up and continued to try to work with the DA to have my case dismissed. After several deals I refused from the DA, Jason continued to show the same tenacity from day one of working with me, which eventually led to a decision that worked in my favor. I can honestly say without a doubt if I had hired any other attorney, my case would have been resolved much differently. Jason was such a pleasure to work with and always helped me keep my chin up when I was saddened about possible outcomes. He went far and beyond the call of duty to help me through my case and I can’t thank him enough. If you’re looking for an attorney who cares and will continue to work with you through the thick and thin, hire Jason.”

– Kelvin S.

Contact Garrett, Walker, Aycoth, & Olson, Attorneys at Law

Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson is located at 317 S. Greene St., Greensboro, NC 27401. We’re located directly across the street from the Carolina Theater in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina. Our phone number is 336-379-0539. We’re here to help you with your case and we’re only a phone call away for all of your legal needs in Guilford County, NC

Garrett, Walker, Aycoth, & Olson, Attorneys at Law