Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Raleigh

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Criminal Defense Attorneys FAQs

Last updated: October 1, 2022

FEATURED

The Chetson Firm

19 W Hargett St Ste 508, Raleigh, NC 27601

The Chetson Firm is a full-service criminal defense law firm that has been taking cases on behalf of the residents of Raleigh for over a decade. The firm represents defendants in criminal cases involving sexual assault, drug possession and distribution, child abuse, and white-collar crimes. Its attorneys defend clients in court to determine their innocence and maintain their records. From 2015 to 2019, founding attorney Damon Chetson was honored by Thomson Reuters as a Super Lawyers Rising Star.

FEATURED

Pruden Feldmann Law, PLLC

421 Fayetteville St. Ste. 1100, Raleigh, NC 27601

Pruden Feldmann Law, PLLC is a team of criminal defense attorneys serving the Raleigh community. Among its practice areas are asset forfiture, white collar defense, administrative law, assault on a female, felonies, personal injury, civil rights, misdemeanors, and federal criminal defense. The team thoroughly analyzes every detail to give a straightforward solution for every client's problems, properly protect them, and alleviate damages that they might receive. The law office prioritizes kindness and compassion in its practice, but remains firm when fighting for its clients.

Batch Poore & Williams

120 Penmarc Dr Ste 101, Raleigh, NC 27603

Batch, Poore, & Williams is a general litigation law firm representing the people of Raleigh that has another office located in Holly Springs. One of the firm's practice areas is criminal defense, and its legal team works with clients who have been charged with or are currently under investigation for embezzlement, armed robbery, assault, and homicide. In 2019, founding partner Sydney Batch was honored by Thomson Reuters with inclusion in the North Carolina Super Lawyers list.

Buzzard Law Firm

728 S Main St, Lillington, NC 27546

DWI/DUI

Buzzard Law Firm provides criminal defense representation for clients in and around Raleigh. Its founding attorney, Robert A. "Tony" Buzzard, has been handling criminal cases for more than three decades. He is a trial lawyer who has helped acquit clients in first-degree murder cases. In addition to criminal defense, he and his team offer a variety of legal services, including civil litigation and family law representation. Robert is the son of Lynn R. Buzzard, a constitutional law professor.

Cotten Law Firm, PLLC

421 Fayetteville Street, Suite 1101, Raleigh, NC 27601

DWI/DUI

Cotten Law Firm, PLLC, assists individuals in Raleigh who have been accused of criminal charges, including carrying a concealed weapon, communicating threats, resisting a police officer, and possessing marijuana. It also represents clients charged with assault, city code and restraining order violations, DUI, and sexual battery. Jeremy Cotten, the attorney, has been in practice since 2012. Before establishing his private practice, he had worked in the banking and wealth management industry for three years and earned the Certified Financial Planner designation.

Dysart Willis, PLLC

530 Hillsborough St Ste 200, Raleigh, NC 27603

Dysart, Willis, PLLC is a criminal defense law firm serving the communities of Raleigh and the surrounding areas. The firm takes cases on behalf of residents who are being charged with serious crimes, such as drug possession and distribution, sexual assault, and driving while intoxicated. Its attorneys provide clients with guidance and litigation services throughout the legal process to protect their records and prevent repercussions, such as jail time and license suspension.

Fay Grafton Nunez, PLLC

2609 Atlantic Ave Ste 207, Raleigh, NC 27604

Founded in 2005, Fay, Grafton, Nunez PLLC is a criminal defense and immigration law firm serving the community of Raleigh that has another office in Asheville. The firm works with clients who have been accused of crimes, such as domestic violence, drug possession, and larceny. It also assists clients with license restoration and expungements of arrest and conviction records. In 2019, Rebekah Grafton was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star by Thomson Reuters.

Floyd Law Offices, PLLC

434 Fayette Street Suite 1640, Raleigh, NC 27601

Floyd Law Offices PLLC is a criminal defense law firm providing the residents of Raleigh and the nearby communities with legal representation. The firm's attorneys litigate cases on behalf of clients who have been charged with serious crimes, such as assault, drug possession, and theft. They also perform expungements of arrest and conviction records. Founding attorney Chris Floyd has been featured in the National Trial Lawyers' Top 100 Trial Lawyers list.

Guirguis Law, PA

434 Fayetteville St Ste 2140, Raleigh, NC 27601

Guirguis Law PA is a Christian-based general litigation law firm representing the people of Raleigh and the surrounding communities. The firm's primary areas of practice include criminal defense, and its legal team takes cases on behalf of clients who are being accused of domestic violence, drug offenses, and driving while intoxicated. The team also performs expungements of arrest and conviction records. Guirguis Law PA also takes cases involving family and immigration law.

Hiltzheimer Law Office, PLLC

5 W Hargett St #904, Raleigh, NC 27601

Hiltzheimer Law Office is a criminal defense law firm that helps clients throughout the Durham metropolitan area. The firm has been operating for more than 13 years and is experienced at handling a broad range of cases, including those where the defendant has been charged with larceny, drug trafficking, or sex crimes. It also provides representation to clients who've been accused of driving while intoxicated or who are facing other traffic offenses.

Law Office of Dewey P. Brinkley

127 W Hargett St Ste 600, Raleigh, NC 27601

The Law Office of Dewey P. Brinkley is a criminal defense law firm that provides the community of Raleigh with legal representation. Founding attorney Dewey Brinkley has been practicing law for over 15 years, and he takes cases on behalf of clients accused of domestic violence, sexual assault, and drug possession. He litigates in court to prove clients' innocence and prevent jail time. Dewey was a member of the Wake County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.

Manning Law Firm, PLLC

3509 Haworth Dr Ste 207, Raleigh, NC 27609

Manning Law Firm PLLC is a criminal defense law firm that has been serving the community of Raleigh for over 40 years. The firm represents clients in criminal cases involving federal crimes, such as conspiracy and financial crimes, and state crimes, including driving while intoxicated and speeding. Its attorneys defend clients in court, ensuring all steps of the process were properly executed. Partner Thomas Manning has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for over 25 years.

Matheson & Associates PLLC

127 West Hargett Street, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27601

Expungement
Drug Crimes
Domestic Violence
DWI/DUI

The Matheson & Associates PLLC caters to Raleigh metro residents. Its attorneys work to take urgent actions to secure the freedom of innocent individuals who have been falsely arrested for crimes. These cases include DWI or DUI, drug possession, and traffic infraction. To find the appropriate legal course of action, the team reviews the evidence and relevant case law and statutes. Managing partner Moseley Matheson has been rated one of the Top 10 Best in Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys.

Minick Law

401 N Mangum St, Durham, NC 27701

Expungement
Drug Crimes
DWI/DUI

Minick Law advocates for the individual rights of Raleigh residents charged with crimes. It handles criminal defense proceedings for drug possession, underage drinking, assault, and theft. Its legal team conducts investigations, develops goal-oriented plans, and counsels defendants in each process step. The team also assists clients in expungement proceedings. One of the team members, Gintaras Kazys Krulikas, has been practicing law for over six years and is trained in NHTSA's DUI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing course.

Motta & Muñoz, PLLC

100 E. Parrish Street Suite 450, Durham, NC 27701

DWI/DUI

Motta & Muñoz, PLLC offers its legal services to clients in Raleigh and its surrounding communities. Its team handles criminal defense, family law, estate planning, business litigation, and personal injury cases. The firm has experience in providing legal solutions for criminal defense matters such as misdemeanors, felonies, DWIs, speeding, and driving without a license. Its team addresses client concerns in English and Spanish. The firm has been representing and assisting clients for more than 10 years.

Reece & Reece

121 S. Third Street, Smithfield, NC 27577

Expungement
Drug Crimes
Domestic Violence
DWI/DUI

Reece & Reece focuses on advocating for the rights of criminal defendants in and around Raleigh. Since 2010, the law firm has been providing sound legal counsel in various criminal matters, such as drug possession, felony, DUI and DWI, probation violations, and misdemeanors. It also helps clients expound on several convictions, including prostitution offenses, toxic vapor dismissal under age 22, and pardon of innocence. Its team of attorneys has over 27 years of collective experience in representing criminal cases before appellate, county, and superior courts.

Sandman, Finn & Fitzhugh

7101 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh, NC 27613

Sandman, Finn & Fitzhugh is a firm of criminal defense lawyers handling state and federal cases in Raleigh and surrounding areas. These attorneys have 50 years of combined experience in law practice, offering legal services for clients involved in cases such as drug offenses, traffic violations, embezzlements, and more. This firm has provided legal representation for over 2000 cases, ranging from minor offenses to serious violations. These lawyers are also available to provide legal counsel 24/7.

Scharff Law Firm

827-B N Bloodworth St, Raleigh, NC 27604

Scharff Law Firm is a criminal defense law firm providing the people of Raleigh with legal representation and litigation services. Attorney Amily McCool has over a decade of experience in the legal field, and she represents clients who are being charged with crimes, including drug possession and manufacturing, domestic violence, theft, and driving while intoxicated. She defends her clients in court to protect their records and prevent jail time, fines, and license suspension.

Tharrington Smith LLP

150 Fayetteville St Ste 1800, Raleigh, NC 27601

Tharrington Smith LLP is a criminal defense law firm that has been defending clients in Raleigh and the surrounding areas since 1964. The firm's attorneys represent clients who are being charged with minor misdemeanors and serious felonies, including assault, drug possession, larceny and theft, and homicide. They aim to preserve their clients' records and prove their innocence. In 2020, the firm was featured in U.S. News & World Report's Best Law Firm ranking.

The Law Office of Christopher R. Detwiler, PLLC

555 Fayetteville St, Suite 201, Raleigh, NC 27601

DWI/DUI

The Law Office of Christopher R. Detwiler, PLLC, provides criminal defense to clients in the Raleigh metro and the surrounding areas. The firm handles misdemeanor, traffic and DWI cases; and serious offenses such as possession of controlled substances, assault with a deadly weapon, and obtaining property by false pretenses. It reviews all potential outcomes and employs a results-oriented approach to every case. Detwiler established his own legal practice in 2012. He draws from previous experience as an intern for a federal district court judge.

The Law Office of Neil W. Morrison, P.A.

916 East Street #367, Pittsboro, NC 27312

Federal Crime
Drug Crimes

The Law Office of Neil W. Morrison, P.A., is a criminal defense firm that serves the residents of Raleigh and the surrounding areas. It provides legal representation for federal criminal matters such as fraud, weapons charges, and illegal re-entry. It also assists with cases involving state crimes such as assault, theft and robbery, and homicide. Other types of criminal cases the firm handles include felony drug offenses and sex crimes. Principal attorney Neil Wallace Morrison has been practicing law for almost two decades.

The Law Offices of Edward J. Falcone and H. Wood Vann

120 E Parrish St STE 200, Durham, NC 27701

Juvenile Crimes
DWI/DUI

The Law Offices of Edward J. Falcone and H. Wood Vann is a Durham-based firm helping individuals in Raleigh. For more than four decades, it has been practicing criminal defense and advocating for those charged with misdemeanors or felonies. The firm negotiates and litigates DUIs, traffic violations, juvenile delinquencies, and white-collar and violent crimes to protect the future prospects of defendants. Two of its three attorneys are members of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice.

The Law Offices of James D. Williams, Jr. P.A.

3200 Croasdaile Drive, Suite 604, Durham, NC 27705

DWI/DUI

The Law Offices of James D. Williams Jr. P.A. represents clients in courts in Raleigh. It creates defense strategies to protect the constitutional rights of people facing criminal charges, whether DWI, theft, or underage alcohol offenses. The firm also offers legal support to those being investigated by federal agencies like the FBI and ATF. Also considered a sports representation firm, the office helps aspiring athletes with NFL draft and career preparations. Founding attorney James Williams has been serving the community for over 30 years.

The Law Offices of Wiley Nickel, PLLC

510 W Williams Street, Suite 101, Apex, NC 27502

DWI/DUI

The Law Offices of Wiley Nickel, PLLC, serves clients in and around Raleigh. Its attorneys focus on criminal defense, protecting the rights of wrongfully accused individuals. DWLR and DWI, assault, and larceny are among the cases they handle. They evaluate clients' cases and take appropriate legal action to secure their freedom. Upon case dismissal, the defense team uses criminal record expungements to help defendants maintain their reputations and start fresh in their lives. The firm's partner, Wiley Nickel, earned his law degree in 2005.

Tim Fowler Law Firm, P.A.

1027 U.S. Hwy 70 West, Suite 203, Garner, NC 27529

Theft & Burglary
Drug Crimes
Domestic Violence
DWI/DUI

Tim Fowler Law Firm, P.A., provides legal assistance to people throughout the Raleigh metro and the surrounding communities of Wake, Johnston, and Harnett. It deals with criminal law proceedings, including traffic violations, misdemeanors, and felony charges. The firm's namesake principal lawyer, Tim, has been practicing for over 20 years. He utilizes his background in psychology to aggressively defend each case while also taking time to personally know them and deliver services that consider their financial capacity.

Turner Law Office

800 N Arendell Avenue, Zebulon, NC 27597

Drug Crimes
Domestic Violence
DWI/DUI

Turner Law Office provides its services to clients in the Raleigh metro and the surrounding communities. It advises and represents individuals who have been charged with felony and misdemeanor offenses in both district and superior court. It also assists those who are facing DWI and traffic charges and helps with license restoration matters. E. Lee Turner, Jr., the attorney, served as a patrol officer for the Raleigh Police Department for around 10 years prior to pursuing a legal career.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are legal fees for criminal defense tax deductible?

A: Whether legal fees from a criminal case can be deducted on a tax return depends on the circumstances. If criminal charges pertain to activities related to a trade or business, attorney fees can be deducted on a business tax return, as they are considered an expense associated with the normal course of business. However, personal legal fees cannot be deducted.

Q: Why hire a criminal defense attorney?

A: Working with a criminal defense attorney is the best way to minimize the ramifications of committing or being accused of a crime. Criminal attorneys thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding a case to prove innocence or inspire reasonable doubt in a jury. Criminal defense lawyers also are better prepared to negotiate with the prosecutors. Due to the high cost and logistics involved with taking a case to trial, many prosecutors are willing to reduce sentences in exchange for avoiding a jury trial. An experienced criminal attorney understands what would be a reasonable deal for a specific criminal charge, and will negotiate it on behalf of the defendant.

Q: What if I can’t afford a criminal defense lawyer?

A: All Americans are afforded the right to hire an attorney to act as a defense in a legal case. However, not everyone can afford one. If an attorney isn’t in a defendant’s budget, and the defendant’s income meets designated state or local thresholds, the court system will provide a public defender. This attorney usually works on cases pro bono or without any fees paid by the defendant. Many public defenders have a high caseload, which can limit the amount of time they are able to devote to each case. In most situations, hiring a dedicated criminal defense lawyer ensures the best outcome. This is particularly true in more serious felony cases that can result in a significant prison sentence without the involvement of a skilled, experienced defense attorney.

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