There are many types of crimes that occur in North Carolina. Young adults may get in trouble for shoplifting or experimenting with drugs. Adults can face a variety of criminal charges, with violent criminal charges often being the most serious.
Those accused of injuring other people may face criminal charges. Not only do they have to worry about the penalties that the courts may impose, but they also have to consider the impact that a violent criminal record could have on everything from their employment to their housing options.
Statistics about violent crime in North Carolina, specifically in Wake County, can help people understand law enforcement priorities and may play a role in the establishment of a criminal defense strategy.
Wake County sees quite a bit of crime
Wake County is home to a major airport and one of the biggest cities in the state. Wake County has relatively high crime rates when compared with much of the rest of the state. Both property offenses and violent crimes occur at a higher rate in Wake County than in most other counties.
According to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Wake County saw many more arrests in 2023 than most other counties in North Carolina. There were 25,984 crimes reported. There were 46 murders reported in Wake County in 2023, as well as 264 rapes. Authorities also responded to 2,709 aggravated assault cases.
Property crimes were also relatively common. There were 569 robberies, 2,668 burglaries and 16,947 larceny crimes reported in Wake County in 2023. Mecklenburg County was the only county with higher reported crime rates.
In some cases, attempts to solve a crime might result in law enforcement professionals and prosecutors jumping to the wrong conclusion. Public pressure combined with job expectations can lead to professionals arresting and prosecuting the wrong party just to maintain high arrest and conviction rates.
There are options available to those facing serious criminal charges. The best defense strategy depends on the nature of the offense and the evidence that the state intends to present in court. Reviewing crime statistics and the state’s evidence with a skilled legal team can help criminal defendants plan a reasonable defense strategy based on the charges they’re facing.