Top Criminal Defense Attorneys in Charlotte, North Carolina

Arnold & Smith PLLC is a Charlotte criminal defense law firm founded in 2007. J. Bradley Smith, a former prosecutor, leads the criminal practice group. He has defended thousands of clients in DWI and felony cases across North Carolina courts. Matthew R. Arnold is a Board Certified family law specialist by the NC State Bar. The firm operates from the historic John Carr Price House, a National Historic Register landmark in uptown Charlotte. Their attorneys handle drug crimes, sex offenses, violent crimes, and traffic violations. Arnold & Smith serves Mecklenburg, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, and Union Counties in both state and federal courts.

Powers Law Firm PA is led by Bill Powers, a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist with over 30 years of experience. He is a former president of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and holds the NC State Bar Distinguished Service Award. The firm handles DWI, drug charges, felonies, and misdemeanors throughout the Charlotte metro area. They also serve Rock Hill, SC, and surrounding counties, including Mecklenburg, Gaston, Union, and Iredell. Bill Powers personally handles cases and offers no-cost case reviews. The firm accepts payment plans and provides 24/7 availability for urgent matters.

Robert DeCurtins has defended the accused in Charlotte since 1985. As a former Assistant Public Defender and polygraph examiner, he brings unique insight to criminal cases. He has conducted over 8,000 polygraph examinations and understands police interrogation techniques. The firm handles DWI, drug crimes, assault, and felony charges. DeCurtins Law Office serves Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union, and Gaston Counties. Brandon DeCurtins also practices at the firm. They offer around-the-clock availability and initial consultations at no charge.

Randall & Stump is a Charlotte criminal defense firm with 35+ years of combined experience. Samuel Randall IV is a Board Certified Specialist in both state and federal criminal law. He co-authored the fourth edition of Criminal Procedure in North Carolina, a textbook used in law schools. The firm has earned over 150 five-star reviews on Google. Their attorneys handle DWI, assault, drug crimes, and federal offenses. They prepare every case for trial, which strengthens negotiations with prosecutors. Randall & Stump serves clients throughout Mecklenburg County and the surrounding areas.

William M. Willis IV is a Board Certified Specialist in NC Criminal Law with over 30 years of courtroom experience. He graduated with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law and earned Dean's List honors at Clemson University. His practice focuses on DWI defense, felonies, and traffic violations. Willis has won cases by challenging traffic stops, breath tests, and arrest procedures. He offers offices in Mooresville and Charlotte. Flat-fee pricing and payment plans keep legal services affordable.

The Icard Law Firm is led by Brad Icard, a former Assistant District Attorney with more than 30 years of criminal law experience. He personally handles every case that comes through the door. Since 1995, he has represented over 30,000 individuals in state criminal courts. The firm serves more than 2,500 clients annually. Icard graduated from Campbell University School of Law and holds degrees with honors from Appalachian State. His practice covers DWI, felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic violations. The firm earns top ratings on Google and Avvo.

Banks Huntley is a former North Carolina prosecutor who now focuses entirely on criminal defense. As an Assistant District Attorney, he tried cases from speeding tickets to first-degree murder. His courtroom experience gives clients a strategic advantage in negotiations and trials. The firm handles DWI, drug crimes, assault, and felonies. Huntley personally manages every case and provides his cell phone number to clients. He serves Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union, Gaston, and Richmond Counties. Case reviews come at no cost.

Butler, Quinn & Hochman has served Charlotte-area families since 2006. The firm employs six attorneys and over 20 staff members. They handle immigration, criminal defense, and personal injury cases. Their attorneys speak English and Spanish and work closely with Latino communities facing legal challenges. The team responds quickly to emergencies and offers Saturday appointments. Butler, Quinn & Hochman provides no-cost initial consultations for new clients.

Roseman Law Firm sits near the Mecklenburg County Courthouse and provides criminal defense for Charlotte residents. Brandon Roseman made the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 list in 2019. He graduated cum laude from UNC Charlotte and the NCCU School of Law, where he served on the law review. The firm handles DWI, traffic tickets, expungements, and misdemeanors. They accept multiple payment methods and keep clients informed throughout their cases.

Gilles Law defends clients in both North Carolina and South Carolina criminal courts. Their attorneys have secured dismissals in first-degree murder, second-degree rape, and drug distribution cases. The firm handles DWI, sex crimes, violent offenses, and drug charges. They tailor defense strategies to each client's unique situation. Gilles Law serves Charlotte and the surrounding counties in state and federal courts.

C. Randolph Emory founded The Emory Law Firm over 35 years ago. He has handled more than 16,000 auto claims and was named to Top Attorneys of North America 2023-2024. Emory graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and North Carolina Central University. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Citizen Review Board. The firm is bilingual and handles criminal defense, personal injury, and family law. They serve clients throughout North Carolina.

Tin Fulton Walker & Owen has built a strong reputation since 2002. The firm includes 13 Super Lawyers and two former judges. They achieved North Carolina's first Innocence Commission exoneration and helped overturn the state's same-sex marriage ban. Their criminal defense attorneys handle high-stakes felonies, federal cases, and appeals. The firm also takes civil rights cases involving police misconduct and wrongful conviction. They hold an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Offices are located in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill.

Hall & Dixon has provided criminal defense in Charlotte for over a decade. Founding partner Ronard Dixon Jr. graduated with honors from Catholic University of America. The firm handles felonies, DWI, and personal injury claims in federal and state courts. They have won jury trials in Mecklenburg County. Hall & Dixon offers no-cost consultations and flexible payment options.

Knox Law Center brings 60 years of combined legal experience to Charlotte and Denver, NC. Their criminal defense attorneys represent the accused in Mecklenburg and Lincoln Counties. The firm handles personal injury, workers' compensation, and estate planning alongside criminal cases. They take pride in representing individuals against the government and large institutions.

Minick Law concentrates on DWI defense across North Carolina. James "Jake" Minick is a General Member of the National College for DUI Defense and made the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 list. Some attorneys at the firm are former police officers, giving them insight into law enforcement procedures. The firm has offices in Charlotte, Asheville, Gastonia, Waynesville, and Wilmington. They offer no-cost case reviews and guide clients through license restoration.

Andrew Gordon founded his Charlotte criminal defense practice in 2017. He completed law school a semester early and earned induction into the Order of the Crown honor society. Gordon interned at both the Mecklenburg County Public Defender's Office and the Iredell District Attorney's Office. His firm handles traffic violations, DWI, and personal injury cases. Initial consultations come at no charge.

Rawls, Scheer, Clary & Mingo has served Charlotte since 1985. U.S. News & World Report ranks them among the best law firms in the country. They hold an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Many attorneys are Board Certified specialists in their fields. The firm handles serious felonies, DWI, and federal criminal matters.

Trivino Law is a female-owned Charlotte criminal defense firm. Jaylene Trivino has tried over 50 cases and worked as a public defender before starting her practice. The firm speaks Spanish and Portuguese. They handle misdemeanors, DWI, domestic violence, and traffic tickets. Trivino Law serves Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union, and Gaston Counties with 15-minute no-cost consultations.

Kimberly Saxton & Associates has defended clients since 2009. The firm sits minutes from the Mecklenburg County courthouse and jail. Their attorneys handle criminal defense, DWI, juvenile law, and traffic cases. Spanish-speaking staff members make legal services accessible to more clients. They rank among the top ten attorneys in North Carolina and offer no-cost consultations.

Tracy Hatcher is a former Marine who applies military discipline to criminal defense. He has over 20 years of courtroom experience defending clients in Charlotte. The firm handles DWI, drug offenses, assault, and white-collar crimes. They serve nine counties across North Carolina.

Harold Cogdell Jr. has nearly 25 years of criminal law experience. The National Trial Lawyers named him a Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer in North Carolina. Super Lawyers also recognizes him among the top 5% of licensed attorneys. He is a former Chairman of the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners and served on the Charlotte City Council. Cogdell handles federal and state cases across multiple states.

Chris Fialko is a Board Certified Specialist with over 25 years of criminal defense experience. He made the Top 10 on the 2024 North Carolina Super Lawyers list. The North Carolina Advocates for Justice honored him for service to the organization. Fialko Law handles white-collar crimes, drug charges, and sex offenses in federal and state courts.

Johnson & Nicholson handles immigration and criminal defense cases in Charlotte. Founding partners Carnell Johnson and Elaine Nicholson previously worked at the Mecklenburg County Public Defender's Office. Their attorneys speak Spanish and Chinese to serve diverse communities. The firm responds to all client inquiries within 24 hours.

Randall Law is led by Samuel Randall IV, a Board Certified specialist in state and federal criminal law. With 35+ years of combined experience, the firm has earned over 150 five-star reviews. Randall co-authored Criminal Procedure in North Carolina, used in law schools statewide. The team handles DWI, assault, drug crimes, and federal offenses. They prepare every case for trial to strengthen their negotiating position.