Criminal Law

At the Law office of Nick Saparilas, we aggressively defend your rights and protect you from the overwhelming power of the Government. Whether you are under investigation, have been arrested or being prosecuted in a criminal matter, we are here to help.

If you have been accused of committing a crime, it can be an extremely frightening and terrifying experience. Mr. Saparilas appears in Wake County District and Superior Courts on a daily basis aggressively defending clients from all walks of life, that are facing charges ranging from DWI to Murder.

Criminal Defense Attorney, Nick Saparilas, provides representation from investigation through trial. Nick has extensive trial experience defending clients on criminal charges that include but are not limited to:

WHITE COLLER OFFENSES, EMBEZZLEMENT, DRUG TRAFFICKING, CONSPIRACY, MANUFACTURING, POSSESSION WITH THE INTENT TO SELL AND DELIVER, VIOLENCE, ASSAULT, DWI, ASSAULT ON A FEMALE, SIMPLE ASSAULT, ROBBERY, MURDER/HOMICIDE, SEXUAL OFFENSES AND RAPE.

If you would like to schedule a FREE consultation with Nick Saparilas about a concern that you have regarding a Criminal matter, please contact us at 919-832-2280. Your messages are confidential will be handled with the upmost professionalism.

DWI Defense

Contrary to what most people believe, it is not against the law to drink and drive in North Carolina, it is only against the law when you are driving appreciably impaired. In North Carolina, it is illegal to drive a motor vehicle after having consumed enough alcohol that you have an alcohol concentration of .08 or higher or while you are under the influence of an impairing substance (i.e. drugs - whether legal or illegal). This alcohol concentration can be determined by breathalyzer test or a blood test, depending on the circumstances. Like all criminal charges, the state has the high burden of proving their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Most arrests for driving while intoxicated (DWI) result in a conviction. A conviction for a DWI is a misdemeanor and will result in a criminal record as well as an enormous increase in automobile insurance. To be convicted, the prosecutor must prove the following things to the judge: (A jury does not become involved unless there is an appeal.)

1. You were driving on a highway or public vehicular area.
2. The officer had a reason (probable cause) to stop the motor vehicle you were driving.
3. There is evidence that you were appreciably impaired either by alcohol or drugs
   at the time of the arrest.

Over the last several years, laws regarding Driving while Impaired (DWI) have become increasingly severe. If convicted, sentencing can range from unsupervised probation to 2 years in prison, depending on sentencing factors.

Sexual Offenses

Being accused of Rape and related offenses are both physically and psychologically damaging. The moral and social stigma and the emotional impact of the accusation are certainly different than other crimes. In addition, most convictions require registration as a sex offender. It is imperative that you have a criminal attorney that is experienced, knowledgeable and in control while you are subject to vigorous investigations and face aggressive prosecution by the State District Attorneys. Nick has zealously represented clients charged with any serious sex offense such as first degree rape through indecent liberties with a minor. Trials related to these offenses require a hard charging advocate like Nick Saparilas.

We handle sex offenses including but not limited to:

• RAPE
• DATE RAPE
• STATUTORY RAPE
• SATUTORY SEX OFFENSE
• INDECENT LIBERTIES WITH A MINOR
• CHILD MOLESTATION
• CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
• SEXUAL ASSAULT AND BATTERY AND SOLICITATION

Drug Offenses

A drug is any biological substance that is consumed for non-dietary or non-medical purposes. In the United States., drugs are categorized as legal or illegal. Illegal drugs include, but are not limited to: marijuana, heroin, cocaine, LSD, Ecstasy, or unauthorized prescription drugs like Vicodin or Oxycodine. State and federal statutes strictly prohibit the use, manufacture, or distribution of all illegal drugs. If a person uses, sells, possesses, or manufactures an illegal drug, he/she can be charged with a drug crime. The state and federal government have adopted firmer drug laws and legal punishments. Drug charges range in seriousness from "simple possession" of marijuana or cocaine to "trafficking" charges. Trafficking cocaine occurs when a person possesses, sells, delivers, transports in excess of 28 g. of cocaine. In addtion, the sentences for trafficking crimes have a "minimum mandatory" active sentence depending on the weight of the illegal substance. Nick has successfully handled many cocaine trafficking cases from arrest through jury trial.

If you have been charged with a drug related offense, contact the Law Office of Nick Saparilas to ensure that your rights are not violated and that you receive the legal representation you need to successfully combat your drug charges.

Homicide

These are the most serious charges a person can face in North Carolina. There are many types of homicide crime including First and Second Degree Murder, Voluntary and Involuntary Manslaughter. A person can also be charged with Murder if he/she commits a dangerous felony in North Carolina and a death results, even though unintentional. The burden is on the State of North Carolina to prove each and every element of these offenses and your rights should never be surrendered. There are many defenses which need to be examined and used when the facts warrant them. It is imperative to have an experienced attorney involved who knows the laws in this area and will zealously defend your position. As with all criminal charges the burden is on the state of North Carolina to prove the very high standard of beyond a reasonable doubt. Call us for a free consultation.

Fraud, Embezzlement, and False Pretenses

False pretenses and embezzlement or “white collar crimes” are non-violent crimes that generally take place when individuals trusted with others property decides to violate that trust and keep the property for their own use. It is often carried out by employees or managers of banks or financial institutions that routinely have access to cash or other items of value and exceed their authority by converting the property to their own use. False pretenses is a crime where someone makes a "material misrepresentation" in order to obtain money or valuables.

Property crimes have become more and more prevalent as the nation's economic times worsen.

If you are facing a state or federal fraud or embezzlement charge, Nick Saparilas has the experience you can rely on.