While it may not be clear what motivates people to make threats to others, often it is because they feel no one is listening. A desperate feeling may cause a person to make threats or demand attention to get the help they need. When this behavior involves a weapons offense, the situation can become tense very quickly. Workers in a North Carolina building may have experienced that tension recently.
On a Monday afternoon, a man entered a downtown office that offers services to local veterans. According to reports, a government employee was meeting with other veterans in the office at the time. The man allegedly displayed a handgun and pointed it at the employee. Apparently, no shots were fired and the incident ended with the arrest of the 38-year-old man. He was subsequently charges with misdemeanors, carrying a concealed weapon and pointing it at a person.
Recently, however, police and prosecutors re-examined the details of the incident and determined that because the man aimed the gun at a government employee, the charge should be upgraded to a felony. The man had already posted his $5,000 bail and was released from jail, but police arrested him for the new charge. He was apparently able to pay the $20,000 bail because the media reports he is no longer in custody.
While a conviction for a misdemeanor weapons offense may result in jail time and other consequences, a felony conviction has more serious implications. Felony convictions often abolish many rights and create challenges for finding work and receiving government assistance. When North Carolina residents face criminal charges, they would benefit from the guidance of an attorney.
Source: citizen-times.com, "More charges for man who allegedly pointed gun at county worker", Sam DeGrave, Nov. 24, 2017
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