Wilmington, North Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney
Bruce Mason
If you have been accused of a crime, the decisions you make now can affect the rest of your life. The strength of your defense should be assessed by an attorney who fully understands the unique facts of your case and who knows how the law applies to your circumstances. Only then can you make the critical decisions that will protect your future.
Criminal defense attorney Bruce Mason has a wealth of expertise handling criminal cases in the courts of Wilmington, North Carolina as well as surrounding counties,including, but not limited to New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender Counties. We provide defense in many areas including the following:
- Drunk Driving / DWI Driving While Impaired
- Drugs and Narcotics Charges
- Traffic Offenses
- Felony Crimes
- Misdemeanors
- Violent Crimes and Assault
- Sex Crimes
Individuals convicted of a crime in the State of North Carolina are subject to, among other penalties, fines, imprisonment, probation and community service. Defending your criminal case in the strongest possible way is critical to both your freedom and your future.
The outcome of any criminal case depends upon the facts surrounding the crime charged, the strength of the evidence, the legal validity of law enforcement actions and courtroom procedure, and the goals and strategy of the government and defense.
Attorney Mason is rated "very high" by Martindale-Hubbell, (a national rating service for attorneys) and is board certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a specialist in Criminal Law. Attorney Mason has the expertise to navigate you through this complicated legal process. His 17 years of experience in the local, state, and federal courts, along with his in-depth knowledge and zealous personal attention to each individual case, have earned him an outstanding reputation in the Wilmington legal community as a well-respected, aggressive and highly effective client advocate.
Trust Your Lawyer– He Will Be the One Representing You, Not the Police:If you have been arrested, or if you are stopped by the police for questioning, remember that your lawyer is the person you should trust. The U.S. Supreme Court allows police, federal agents and criminal investigators to trick, lie and deceive during the course of their investigations to get the information they want, and law enforcement investigators are specifically trained to persuade people to overcome their reluctance to reveal information, that will be used against them later.
If you are being investigated for a state or federal crime, do not answer any questions the officers, detectives or federal agents ask. You should politely, but firmly, tell them that you will need to retain an attorney before you can speak with them. Do not answer their questions. This cannot be stressed enough. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney – use those rights! Schedule an appointment today with Attorney Bruce Mason, whose extensive experience with criminal law and procedures will provide a solid foundation for your defense.
If you or someone you know in Wilmington or throughout North Carolina needs the skilled legal representation of an experienced criminal defense lawyer, call Bruce Mason today at 866-798-2945, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.
Practice Areas and Legal Definitions
Felony Crimes:
Felony Crimes involve drug and narcotics charges, arson, burglary, armed robbery, murder and/or attempted murder, rape and/or sexual assault, kidnapping and aggravated assault and battery. A felony conviction is a very serious matter that can result in a substantial state prison sentence and the potential loss of certain privileges and Constitutional rights of U.S. citizenship, such as the right to possess a firearm or the right to vote.
Misdemeanors:
Misdemeanors are punished less severely then felonies. Misdemeanors typically result in imposition of such punishments as a fine or a jail sentence not exceeding a year. If a jail sentence is imposed, it is served at a local, city or county jail rather than a state or federal prison (penitentiary). These matters are handled in district court and are heard before a judge as opposed to a jury. Although less jail time is involved, these cases are important because they may affect ones ability to get a job, gain admission to colleges or the military.
Serious Violent Crimes:
By definition, a violent crime is a behavior by persons, against persons or property that intentionally threatens, attempts or actually inflicts physical harm. The seriousness of the injuries to the victim(s), whether or not guns or other weapons were used and/or whether or not the alleged perpetrator has a criminal record will determine the seriousness of the charge. Most violent crimes are considered felonies and are subject to be considered a "strike" in a state that has adopted three strikes laws. Violent criminal charges can include: aggravated assault, arson, assault and battery, domestic violence, hate crimes, homicide, larceny, rape, manslaughter and murder.
DWI / Driving While Impaired:
“DWI” stands for Driving while impaired and occurs when someone is operating, or is in actual physical control, of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substance to the extent that their mental faculties are impaired and/or their blood alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit. Even for a first offense, penalties can include license suspension, substantial fines, community service, mandatory attendance at a state or DMV approved alcohol program, and the required installation (at the offender's expense) of an ingnition interlock device. In addition, a DWI conviction stays on a DMV record for several years, and results in higher insurance premiums. A DWI could also jeopardize your employment opportunities.
If someone was injured as a result of the drunken driving accident, it is possible the defendant will be charged with a felony (and if the victim dies, the driver may be charged with vehicular manslaughter or second degree murder).
Sex Crimes:Sex crimes can include such charges as: Child Abuse, Child Pornography, Date Rape, Failure to register (as a Sex Offender), Indecent Exposure, Internet Porn, Lewd Conduct, Marital Rape, Molestation, Obscenity, Pedophilia, Pornography, Prostitution, Rape, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Sodomy and Statutory Rape. Many sex crimes are considered felonies and require convicted defendants to continually register themselves as publicly recognized sex offenders with the local and state authorities where they live and work. Charges of sexual misconduct carry extremely serious penalties and these crimes are commonly punished more severely than any other crime except murder. Sexual misconduct is seldom witnessed by anyone other than the accuser and accused and the risk of conviction of an innocent person is drastically higher in these cases.
Drugs and Narcotics Charges:
North Carolina has some of the toughest drug laws in the country and law enforcement in this state aggressively investigates these matters.
Most states have laws that give different treatment to possession of different categories of drugs (i.e. prescription drugs, marijuana, crystal methamphetamine), and also make a distinction in the offense charged as to whether a small amount of the drug was found with the defendant (personal use) or a larger amount (intent to sell or distribute, trafficking). A conviction on a drug charge of any magnitude, even a small amount of marijuana, can seriously affect your present and future employment chances, your education, your reputation and your freedom.
Traffic Crimes:
The complex body of law that regulates the operation of motor vehicles on the streets and highways can be difficult to interpret and apply. Examples of traffic crimes include reckless driving, aggressive driving, drag racing, and driving with a suspended license. Without the assistance of counsel, you may receive a revocation of your license that will most definitely increase your insurance premiums.
Driving with a Suspended License:
Driving with a suspended or revoked license is considered a crime, and can result in heavy fines and possible jail time. The penalties are typically heaviest if the license suspension or revocation was the result of a conviction for driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs (DWI).
Driver’s License Revocation:
Typically, a driver’s license will not be revoked for one or even two traffic tickets resulting from a moving violation such as speeding, running a stoplight or stop sign. However, if the offense is extremely reckless and/or if the driver has had previous convictions for moving violations in the past, his or her license may be revoked or suspended. If the driver is charged with DWI, reckless driving, or is involved in a hit-and-run, the defendant’s license may be suspended for a year or more.
If you or someone you know in Wilmington or throughout North Carolina needs the skilled legal representation of an experienced criminal defense lawyer, call Bruce Mason today at 866-798-2945, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.
Professional Profile
Attorney Bruce Mason understands the potentially devastating impact that being charged with a crime can have on a person's life. Regardless of the type or seriousness of the charges involved, each of Attorney Mason's clients receives his full, undivided attention and commitment to service. His dedication to providing his clients with aggressive, expert legal representation, combined with his emphasis on treating each client with respect and courtesy, make him an outstanding advocate for people during one of the most challenging times of their lives.
If you or someone you know in Wilmington or throughout North Carolina needs the skilled legal representation of an experienced criminal defense lawyer, call Bruce Mason today at 866-798-2945, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.
FIRM ADDRESS:
Bruce Mason
105 North 6th St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
Phone: 866-798-2945
Hours: M-F, 8:00AM-5:00PM
MEMBER OF THE FIRM:
Bruce Mason
EDUCATION:
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, J.D., 1989
- West Virginia University, B.S., 1986
COURTS ADMITTED:
- North Carolina
- U.S. District Court
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
- New Hanover County Bar Association
- North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Board Certified Specialist in Criminal law by the North Carolina State Bar
- Certified Operator and Maintenance Technician for the Intoxilyzer 5000 series
- National College of DWI Defense
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