Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Winston Salem

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Last updated: October 1, 2022

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Harkey Litigation

380 Knollwood Street, Suite 305, Winston-Salem, NC 27103

Federal Crime
White Collar Crimes
Serious Felonies
Theft & Burglary
Drug Crimes
Expungement
DWI/DUI

Harkey Litigation represents clients in Winston Salem. The firm employs an aggressive strategy in defending individuals who are facing criminal charges, such as driving while impaired, fraud, and other serious felonies in Federal and State criminal matters. Its attorney, W. Scott Harkey, has been featured in national publications like CNN, Newsweek, and USA Today for his case winnings. He is the Vice-Chair of the North Carolina State Bar Criminal Justice Section. He has handled cases in more than 60 North Carolina counties.

Bowden & Gardner, P.C. Attorneys at Law

119 Brookstown Ave., Suite 401, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

DWI/DUI
Domestic Violence

Bowden & Gardner, P.C., Attorneys at Law, offers legal representation to clients throughout Winston Salem and the surrounding communities. The firm defends those who have been charged with traffic and criminal offenses, representing them in state and federal courts across the state. Its team of experts also handles cases related to insurance defense, contract breaches, personal injury, and family disputes. Edwin W. Bowden, the firm's founder, has been in practice since 1989 and is a certified mediator.

Cannon & Thompson Attorneys at Law, PLLC

140 East Water Street, Statesville, NC 28677

DWI/DUI

Cannon & Thompson, Attorneys at Law, PLLC, protects defendants' rights in Winston Salem. It offers legal counsel and representation in various aspects of criminal law. The firm investigates and helps individuals form strategies to help them resolve criminal charges such as DUI or DWI, robbery and burglary, assault and battery, and sex offenses. Its team also takes on matters involving domestic violence, fraud, and drug violations. Managing partner Ashley Cannon is a member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice.

Combs, Bradshaw & Lee, PLLC

100 N Marshall St Ste 100, Winston Salem, NC 27101

Combs, Bradshaw & Lee PLLC provides legal services within the Winston-Salem area. The firm defends individuals charged with criminal offenses, such as drug possession, domestic violence, theft, and traffic violations. It uses its knowledge of North Carolina judicial procedures to select effective defenses or expunge records for existing charges. Some of the firm's other practice areas include personal injury and family law. Founding attorney John Combs has over two decades of criminal defense experience.

EMP Law

426 Old Salem Rd, Winston Salem, NC 27101

EMP Law offers legal services to residents of the Winston Salem area. It protects the rights of those charged with crimes such as burglary, assault and battery, white-collar crimes, sexual misconduct, drug possession, and firearms violations. The firm reviews cases to identify legal challenges and respond with appropriate strategies. It also practices immigration and employment law. Founding attorney Robert Elliot has over three decades of experience and is a member of the North Carolina State Bar.

Freedman Thompson Witt Ceberio & Bird, PLLC

210 Cherry St S, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

DWI/DUI

Freedman Thompson Witt Ceberio & Byrd, PLLC, provides legal representation in criminal law cases within Winston-Salem. Its staff conducts in-depth discussions with clients regarding their legal rights, case details, and options for defense against felony and misdemeanor charges. One of the firm's criminal defense lawyers, Jones P. Byrd, Jr., served as Section Chair of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice's Small Office Section. He has also given criminal law lectures at continuing legal education seminars for the Wake Forest University School of Law.

Friel Law, PLLC

224 S. Cherry Street, Suite D, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Arraingnment
Domestic Violence
Drug Crimes

Friel Law, PLLC, represents clients throughout Winston Salem and the surrounding metros who have been accused of or charged with crimes. The firm handles state criminal offenses such as DWI, assault or domestic violence, drug trafficking, larceny, and homicide. It also handles post-conviction motions including record expungements, probation violations, motions for appropriate relief, and license restoration. Jonathan Friel previously served as an Assistant District Attorney and has handled a wide range of cases from DWI to first degree murder.

Gondring Law

110 S. Spruce Street, Winston Salem, NC 27101

DWI/DUI

Gondring Law serves the people of Winston Salem and nearby areas. It takes on a range of criminal cases, from small traffic infractions to major felonies. The firm routinely negotiates favorable plea agreements and aims for acquittals in instances such as first-degree murder, armed robbery, and DWI trials. It protects clients' rights in and out of the courtroom, finding the process most conducive to their circumstances. Its legal professionals appear before various specialized courts, including Mental Health Treatment Court, Veteran’s Treatment Court, and Juvenile Delinquency Court.

Grace, Tisdale & Clifton P.A.

200 W 1st St, Winston Salem, NC 27101

Grace, Tisdale & Clifton PA is a criminal defense firm operating in the Winston Salem area. It defends the rights of those charged with crimes, including assault and battery, homicide, DWI, drug possession, sexual assault, domestic violence, theft, and fraud. The firm prioritizes reviewing case factors to determine the best course of action while determining the strengths and weaknesses of the prosecution. Founding attorney Christopher Clifton has over two decades of legal experience.

Graystar Legal

224 S. Cherry Street Suite C, Winston Salem, NC 27101

DWI/DUI

Graystar Legal defends the rights and liberties of individuals throughout Winston-Salem who have been accused of crimes. The law firm handles cases involving DWIs, drug crimes, felonies, theft, and traffic violations. Its legal team gathers evidence and witness testimonies and develops defense strategies to get charges dropped or dismissed altogether. One of the firm's attorneys, Derek M. Gray, previously served as Assistant District Attorney for ten years, prosecuting all levels of criminal matters. His experience gives the firm helpful insight into its criminal defense cases.

Greenwood Law

One Salem Tower 119 Brookstown Avenue Suite 300, Winston Salem, NC 27101

Greenwood Law offers legal services to residents of the Winston-Salem area. It defends clients against criminal charges, including DUI, white-collar crimes, theft, drug possession or distribution, sexual misconduct, domestic violence, and firearms violations. The firm operates in both state and federal courts throughout North Carolina. Some of its other practice areas include family and immigration law. Founding attorney Dylan Greenwood is a member of the North Carolina State Bar and Criminal Law Roundtable.

J. Clark Fischer

952 W. Fourth St Suite 200, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Drug Crimes
Theft & Burglary

Since 1980, J. Clark Fischer has been providing legal services to clients with criminal defense cases in Winston Salem and throughout North Carolina. The firm's head lawyer, J. Clark Fischer, represents criminal defendants in both federal and state courts. He also has an appellate practice that helps clients apply for post-conviction relief and obtain death penalty reversals. In addition, Fischer is a certified criminal law specialist and previously served as the president of Forsyth County Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer’s Association.

John E Fitzgerald Attorney At Law

114 S Spruce St, Winston Salem, NC 27101

Based in Winston-Salem, John E. Fitzgerald, Attorney at Law assists clients with criminal defense in the counties of Davie, Forsyth, and Davidson. The firm works with cases involving crimes such as larceny, domestic violence, and drug possession. It also handles traffic defense and client's expungements and works closely with students charged with criminal and traffic offenses. A member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Mr. Fitzgerald has more than 25 years of legal experience and is fluent in English and French.

Law Offices of John J. Barrow, P.A.

118 West Mountain Street, Kernersville, NC 27284

DWI/DUI

The Law Offices of John J. Barrow, P.A., represents clients in Winston-Salem. It takes on criminal defense cases and advises individuals convicted for misdemeanor and felony charges, like child abuse, indecent exposure, embezzlement, and DUI. The firm also deals with clients convicted multiple times. It offers the "Drink Wheel," an online tool that allows users to check their estimated blood alcohol content. It takes on other cases involving family law. John Barrow, its principal attorney, has over 27 years of experience in the field.

Nestor Legal

2668 S Stratford Rd, Winston Salem, NC 27103

DWI/DUI

Nestor Legal offers criminal defense counsel and representation for clients throughout Winston Salem and the nearby areas. It handles a wide variety of cases including those that involve driving while impaired, larceny, traffic violations, and drug crimes. Likewise, it assists clients who are looking into expunging their criminal records. Founding attorney Nestor Katsoudas is fluent in Spanish and Greek and also practices in the areas of business, personal injury, and workers' compensation law. He also assists with immigration law matters.

Royster & Royster Attorneys at Law

110 S Davis St, Pilot Mountain, NC 27041

Royster & Royster Attorneys at Law is a full-service law firm located in Winston Salem. Established in 1979, the firm includes criminal defense in its practice areas. It represents Surry County clients when they have been charged with crimes, such as DWI, traffic violations, white-collar crimes, violent offenses, and drug crimes. Brian A. Royster and his team evaluate the circumstances of each case and look for mitigating evidence that can help clients obtain reduced or dismissed charges.

Taylor & Taylor Attorneys at Law, PLLC

418 N. Marshall, Suite 204, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Drug Crimes
Expungement

Since 2018, Taylor & Taylor, Attorneys at Law, PLLC has been offering counsel and representation to individuals charged with criminal offenses in the Winston-Salem metro and surrounding areas. Its lawyers—E. Winslow Taylor and Dan Taylor, Jr.—handle traffic violations, underage drinking, expungement, drug charges, and white-collar crimes, with Winslow bearing experience trying cases before district courts. The firm also represents high school and college students facing charges of criminal conduct. Dan and Winslow have a combined experience of over 50 years, and their practice extends to corporate litigation and personal injury.

The Law Office of Charles F. Hall, IV

2200 Silas Creek Parkway Suite 5A, Winston-Salem, NC 27103

DWI/DUI

The Law Office of Charles F. Hall, IV, defends the residents of Winston Salem who have been charged with crimes. Hall handles legal issues involving misdemeanors, traffic, personal injury, and workers compensation. He focuses his practice on long-term disability and accepts clients with social security and veteran’s disability cases. He handles matters such as living wills, guardianships, adoption, and powers of attorney. Hall is an accredited lawyer with the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Law Offices of J. Darren Byers, P.A.

224 S Cherry St Ste A, Winston Salem, NC 27101

The Law Offices of J. Darren Byers PA is a law firm headquartered in Winston-Salem. It defends the rights of individuals facing prosecution for criminal offenses, including assault, DWI, drug possession and distribution, embezzlement, robbery, sex crimes, and white-collar crimes. The firm has represented clients in criminal defense cases for more than two decades, handling cases in both state and federal courts. Founder J. Darren Byers also assists clients with aviation law.

The Law Offices of Karen D. Gerber, PLLC

224 S Cherry St, Winston Salem, NC 27101

Located in Winston Salem, The Law Offices of Karen D. Gerber PLLC is a criminal defense firm headed by an attorney with over 14 years of experience fighting for the rights of the accused. Gerber's practice includes taking on crimes at the state and federal level and challenging charges such as DUI and drugs, traffic violations, theft, weapons offenses, and violent and sexual assaults including domestic violence. In each case, Gerber uses the facts present to construct a sound defense.

Ursula L. Walder, Attorney at Law

301 N. Main St. Ste. 2010, Winston Salem, NC 27101

DWI/DUI

Ursula L. Walder, Attorney at Law, provides representation to clients in different legal proceedings in Winston-Salem and the surrounding locations. It defends the criminally accused, handling various felony, misdemeanor, and probation violation charges. It also takes on DWI, traffic violation, and license restoration cases. Additionally, the firm works to clear clients' criminal records of past convictions and dismissals through expungement petitions. Walder has been delivering zealous advocacy for her clients since her firm's establishment in 2011.

Wood & Rabil, LLP Attorneys at Law

3600 Country Club Rd Ste 100, Winston Salem, NC 27104

Wood & Rabil LLP Attorneys at Law is a multi-practice firm located in Winston Salem. It provides residents with criminal defense representation for various charges, including DWI/DUI, traffic violations, driving on a revoked/suspended license, underage drinking, and shoplifting. It also represents out-of-state motorists in traffic ticket defense and college students in alcohol-related charges. Founders B. Jeffrey Wood and William E. Rabil, Jr. are members of the North Carolina Bar Association.

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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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