Practice Areas

Criminal defense for those who need it most

As a board-certified specialist in state and federal criminal law, Winston Salem attorney, Christopher Beechler is well equipped to handle your criminal defense case.  He knows what to expect from the opposition.  He conducts thorough research into your situation to develop a winning defense strategy and persuasive arguments in your favor.

The Law Offices of Christopher A. Beechler, P.C. handles the full array of criminal cases:

What you can expect from the legal process

If you are confused with the criminal process, it is with good reason.  It is complex.  Steps in the process include:

• Stop—The police may stop you for questioning.  You have the right to refuse to answer.
• Search—If probable cause exists, a judge can issue a search warrant to look for items connected with the alleged criminal activity.  Warrants are not necessary for all searches.
• Arrest—In order to be arrested, there must be probable cause that a crime was a committed and that you committed it. You have two important Constitutional rights: the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
• Booking–Following your arrest, the police escort you to the police station for the booking process and you will be fingerprinted, interrogated, searched, and photographed
• Appointment of an attorney—If you cannot afford an attorney and you have been charged with a crime punishable by imprisonment or a fine, an attorney may be appointed to defend you
• Arraignment—You appear in court once criminal charges are filed and you will be asked to enter your plea to the crime with which you have been charged. In North Carolina, this includes guilty and not guilty. If you plead guilty, you will be sentenced without trial.
• Bail/bond—Cash, a bail bond, or court-depending, a pledge of property to ensure you appear for further criminal proceedings
• Speedy trial—The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to a speedy trial, that is, a trial will be held within a certain time frame after you have been charged
• Trial—If you do not reach a plea agreement with the prosecutor (many prosecutors will consider one), your case moves toward trial.  Depending on the charges, you may have the right to a trial by jury.
• Appeals—In the event you are found guilty, you have the right to an appeal, usually ten days after judgment
• Expungement—In some circumstances, you may be able to have your criminal record removed, or in the case of juvenile records, destroyed

White collar crime

White collar crime, typically committed by business or government professionals, includes a wide variety of offenses:

These crimes violate federal law and are, therefore, usually charged in federal court.  If you are faced with any of these white collar crime charges, Winston Salem attorney, Chris Beechler is licensed, board-certified, and available to ably represent you with an aggressive defense in federal court.

We are prepared to take your case to trial. Contact us now.

The Law Offices of Christopher A. Beechler, P.C. provides compassionate and energetic defense throughout Forsyth County, superior and federal courts in North Carolina, and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, VA. If you have been charged with a serious crime, you can rely on Christopher Beechler’s extensive experience gained through years on the local, state, and federal courtroom floors for an aggressive and effective defense. Contact our offices now to schedule your free initial consultation.