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Being convicted of a crime can have serious long-term consequences. In addition to requiring you to serve time in jail and pay fines, a conviction can hinder your professional, personal and financial development for years to come. If you are facing criminal charges, it’s important to immediately retain a skilled criminal defense attorney who can zealously defend you against the charges.
This article highlights the best criminal defense lawyers in Raleigh, North Carolina. These lawyers have the experience and expertise to provide you with strong representation and fight for the best possible outcome in your specific situation.
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Best Raleigh Criminal Defense Lawyers
Elliot Sol Abrams
NC Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to NC Bar
Law School Attended
Georgetown University Law Center
Why They Made Our List
Practice Areas
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Dhamian Blue
NC Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to NC Bar
Law School Attended
Duke University School of Law
Why They Made Our List
Practice Areas
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Joseph B. Cheshire V
NC Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to NC Bar
Law School Attended
Wake Forest University School of Law
Why They Made Our List
Practice Areas
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Collin P. Cook
NC Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to NC Bar
Law School Attended
Wake Forest University School of Law
Why They Made Our List
Practice Areas
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Kelly Margolis Dagger
NC Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to NC Bar
Law School Attended
University of California Berkeley School of Law
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Practice Areas
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Christopher R. Detwiler
NC Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to NC Bar
Law School Attended
University of North Carolina School of Law
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Notable Facts and Recognitions
Christopher T. Floyd
NC Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to NC Bar
Law School Attended
University of North Carolina School of Law
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Practice Areas
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Meredith Hubbard
NC Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to NC Bar
Law School Attended
University of North Carolina School of Law
Why They Made Our List
Practice Areas
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Douglas E. Kingsbery
NC Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to NC Bar
Law School Attended
Duke University School of Law
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Practice Areas
Notable Facts and Recognitions
Wade M. Smith
NC Bar Association Status
Active
Year Admitted to NC Bar
Law School Attended
University of North Carolina School of Law
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Notable Facts and Recognitions
Compare Top Raleigh Criminal Defense Attorneys
What Is a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
Federal and state laws classify certain behaviors and actions as illegal and impose penalties, such as fines and imprisonment, for those who violate these laws. When individuals, businesses and organizations are charged with a crime—a misdemeanor or felony—they often enlist the help of criminal defense lawyers to protect their rights, ensure a fair trial and minimize the consequences if convicted.
Raleigh Criminal defense lawyers perform various crucial tasks, including:
- gathering relevant information and materials to support the defense
- interviewing witnesses to obtain testimonies that can support the defense
- developing a plan to challenge the prosecution’s case and defend the client
- filing motions with the court to request specific rulings or actions
- examining and disputing the validity of the evidence presented by the prosecution
- negotiating with prosecutors to reduce charges or penalties in exchange for a guilty plea
- advocating for clients during bail hearings, arraignments, pretrial motions and other court appearances
- challenging convictions by filing appeals, arguing for a case review and requesting retrials
Public Defenders vs. Private Criminal Attorneys
Both public and private criminal defense attorneys can represent you if you are accused of a crime, but there are differences in how they operate.
Public defense attorneys are government employees assigned by the court to clients who don’t have the financial means to pay for legal representation. On the other hand, private defense attorneys are hired and paid by the client directly to help fight the charges.
Public defenders often handle a high volume of cases, spend most of their time in court and may not have as much consistent communication with you. This may result in you being able to talk to your lawyer only on court days. Private defenders, on the other hand, can choose how many cases to take on, allowing them more time to communicate one on one with you, provide support, help navigate the legal processes and respond to calls and emails promptly.
If you are unhappy with your public defender, you have the option to fire them, but generally cannot switch to a different public defender of your choosing. When working with a private attorney, you have the freedom to research and choose who you want to work with.
In North Carolina, the right to counsel applies in all felony and misdemeanor cases where there is a possible imprisonment or fine of $500 or more, or if the conviction includes a suspended sentence. The right to counsel exists at all critical stages of a trial proceeding, including pretrial and trial proceedings, as well as during custodial interrogations by the police.
Should You Represent Yourself in a Criminal Case?
Most individuals accused of a crime opt for a licensed lawyer to defend them against the charges they’re facing. If they are unable to afford an attorney, they may depend on a public defender. Some people, known as “pro se litigants,” choose to represent themselves because they are unable to find an attorney to take their case, want to save on legal costs, don’t trust lawyers or think no one could understand what happened better than they do.
However, self-representation is usually not a wise choice, even if you plan on pleading guilty.
Without proper legal training, you may not fully understand the laws you are accused of violating or the procedures you need to follow. Simply reading up on criminal statutes and court rules doesn’t guarantee a comprehensive understanding of the nuances or effective application.
You could miss key elements of a crime that the prosecution failed to prove or overlook crucial deadlines for filing motions that could help your case. Additionally, judges expect pro se litigants to adhere to the same rules as lawyers and may not be lenient if you make mistakes.
Even if you know you are guilty, a skilled lawyer can identify strong defenses to reduce or dismiss your charges. For example, if a police officer made a mistake during the investigation, a lawyer can use that to your advantage. They can file pretrial motions to suppress unlawfully obtained evidence, which could weaken the prosecution’s case and force them to drop the charges against you.
Many criminal cases are resolved through plea bargains, where a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser offense or the prosecutor agrees to recommend a reduced sentence. An experienced lawyer is more likely to negotiate a favorable plea agreement for you.
Understanding the Legal Process for Criminal Cases
When a prosecutor files criminal charges against you, it marks the beginning of criminal proceedings. This generally unfolds in the following stages:
- Arrest. A police officer can arrest you if you are caught committing a crime, if there is probable cause to indicate you committed a crime or if there is a warrant out for your arrest. The police may arrest you and place you in custody. For minor offenses, the police may issue a citation mandating you to appear in court on a specific date.
- Arraignment. After your arrest, you will appear before a judge at an arraignment. During this formal hearing, the charges against you are read and you are advised of your rights. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will assign one to you. You must also enter a plea of guilty, not guilty or no contest.
- Bail. At the arraignment, the judge will decide whether you are eligible for bail. You can be released on your own recognizance, have bail set or be returned to jail without bail. Bail might be denied for serious felonies or if you pose a risk to the community. If bail is granted, you pay an amount in exchange for release, which is returned if you appear in court as required.
- Preliminary hearing. This stage acts as a mini-trial where the prosecutor must show enough evidence exists to charge you and proceed to trial. You can waive this hearing if you choose. During the hearing, the prosecution presents witnesses and evidence, and your defense can cross-examine. If the judge finds probable cause, a trial is scheduled; otherwise, the charges may be dropped.
- Trial. This structured process involves presenting the facts of the case to a judge or jury, who decides if you are guilty or not guilty. The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the crime. If the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict, the judge may declare a mistrial, leading to either dismissal or a new trial. If found guilty, you will be sentenced.
- Sentencing. During sentencing, the court determines the appropriate punishment for you as the convicted defendant. Factors such as the type of crime, your criminal history and the level of remorse shown affect your penalties.
Resolving a Criminal Case in North Carolina
Many criminal cases are settled with plea bargains. This process occurs before a trial begins and involves negotiations between your Raleigh criminal defense attorney and the prosecutor. You agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge or one of several charges in exchange for a more lenient sentence or the dismissal of other charges. This approach helps avoid the uncertainty, time and expense that comes with a trial.
Another way to conclude your case is by getting it dismissed. This typically happens if there are no available witnesses or insufficient evidence to prove you committed the crime.
Acquittal is another possible outcome, which occurs after a jury trial when it’s decided that the state didn’t successfully prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the crime.
Many defendants are also eligible for probation, which is a less severe punishment than jail or prison. North Carolina offers two types of probation: supervised and unsupervised. Supervised probation requires regular meetings with a probation officer, while unsupervised probation does not involve a probation officer and is often an option for those serving community punishment or who have complied well with previous supervised probation.
Parole, distinct from probation, refers to the early release of an inmate from prison under supervision. In North Carolina, if you committed a crime before October 1, 1994, you may be eligible for parole unless you are serving certain sentences, such as special probation or for health law violations.
Expungement in North Carolina
An expungement, also known as an expunction in Raleigh, is a legal process where an arrest, charge or conviction is sealed or erased from your criminal record. Once the record relating to a charge is expunged, you can legally deny that the arrest or conviction ever occurred without being guilty of perjury.
You may be eligible to have your record expunged if any of the following applies to you:
- Case dismissed or “not guilty” verdict. Any case that does not end with a conviction is eligible for expunction.
- Juvenile offenses. You have either a misdemeanor conviction or a Class H or I felony conviction on your record for a crime committed when you were 16 or 17 years old, and the offense occurred before December 1, 2019. Traffic offenses and sexual battery are excluded from this provision.
- Nonviolent misdemeanor. You have a nonviolent misdemeanor conviction, and at least five years have passed since you finished your sentence or probation.
- Multiple nonviolent misdemeanors. You have several nonviolent misdemeanor convictions, and at least seven years have passed since you finished your sentence or probation.
- Single nonviolent felony. You have a nonviolent felony conviction, and at least 10 years have passed since you finished your sentence or probation.
To be eligible for expungement, you generally cannot owe any restitution and must not have any pending charges other than traffic tickets.
How To Choose the Best Criminal Defense Lawyer in Raleigh, NC
The quality of the legal representation you receive is strongly connected to the criminal defense lawyer you choose. To help you make the right decision, here are some factors you should consider:
- Experience in your type of criminal case. Criminal defense encompasses a variety of crimes. Look for a lawyer who has worked on cases related to charges similar to yours. For instance, if you’re facing a drug possession charge, specifically look for a drug defense lawyer, as they will be thoroughly familiar with the different types of laws and nuances that exist in drug-related cases.
- Previous results. Ask about the results the lawyer has obtained for their previous clients in similar cases to yours. Look at how many dismissals, “not guilty” verdicts or plea bargains they have obtained. While past results don’t guarantee the same outcomes in your case, they can give you a strong idea about the attorney’s effectiveness in securing favorable outcomes.
- Communication skills. Choose a lawyer who makes it a priority to respond to you promptly, communicates clearly and keeps you informed throughout the process. If an attorney is too busy or overworked, they may not be there for you as you need and might delegate responsibilities to less experienced associates.
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Raleigh Criminal Defense Resources
Here are some helpful resources and contact information for defendants and their families in Raleigh, NC.
- – Contact: (866) 219-5262
Our Methodology for Finding the Best Raleigh Criminal Defense Attorneys
Forbes Advisor considered many factors to determine the best criminal defense lawyers in Raleigh of 2024. Its mathematical analysis considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses and certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education and employment background
- Scholarly lectures and writings
- Awards and honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. However, this information should not be considered comprehensive. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Criminal Defense in Raleigh
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