Top Criminal Defense Lawyers Near Me in Charlotte Area

Trivino Law is a female-owned and operated law firm, dedicated to providing reliable, experienced, and professional legal services.Focusing in the areas of Criminal Defense, Traffic Tickets, DUI, DWI, Suspended License, Domestic Violence, and Uncontested Divorce.Serving the Charlotte, Matthews, Indian Trail, and Mint Hill communities.Trivino Law strongly believes that all individuals are entitled to effective, honest, and zealous legal representation regardless of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, class, sexual preference, or gender.. #FightingForYou

Trial attorney and advocate representing clients in North and South Carolina. My practice is focused on criminal defense, family law and civil litigation matters.

Todd Browning is a founding partner of Browning & Long, PLLC who practices in the areas of Traffic Law, DWI Law, and Criminal Defense.. As an Assistant District Attorney with the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office (Charlotte, NC), Todd handled thousands of misdemeanor and felony cases in District Court. Todd’s time at the District Attorney’s Office provided him with unparalleled exposure to litigating cases in a courtroom.. Before being sworn in as an Assistant District Attorney, Todd also gained invaluable insight into the criminal justice system and the legal process through his nearly five years of employment with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.. Todd graduated magna cum laude from Charlotte School of Law with his law degree. He also completed undergraduate work at Bowling Green State University, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 2004 and his Master of Science in Criminal Justice in 2005.. When not practicing law, Todd enjoys spending time with his wife Mandy and their three Labrador Retrievers, Charlee, Bentley, and Cleveland. Todd is also passionate about working out, playing basketball, and mountain biking.

There's no substitute for experience: Allen has been protecting people accused of crimes and people injured by the negligence or bad acts of others for over 30 years. He is in the courtroom almost every day and has a reputation as a strategic innovator, constantly finding new ways to use the constitution and statutes as precise weapons for his clients.. Allen has successfully handled virtually every type of criminal charge (everything from murder, drug conspiracy, embezzlement to DWI and traffic tickets, etc.) and virtually every type of civil matter (from personal injury motor vehicle crashes to breach of contract to Domestic Violence Protective Orders, etc.).. Allen also has extensive experience in handling appeals in all appellate courts.  For a recent example, see State v. Yencer, 696 S.E.2d 875 (2010), raising a First Amendment challenge to the exercise of police power by the Davidson College Campus Police.. Allen was born and raised just outside of Charlotte in Denver, NC and his distinguished undergraduate and law school career at UNC included induction into the Phi Eta Sigma honor society and being awarded the prestigious Morehead Scholarship. He is active in Mecklenburg Community Church and loves spending time with his wife, Lynn, and sons, Haynes and Gray.

Taylor represents people charged with all types of crimes. She primarily focuses her work in state court, and in the last year alone defended a wide variety of cases including:. Taylor also defends kids charged with crimes in juvenile court. She has helped young people charged with these offenses in juvenile court:. Goodnight also defends men and women accused of violating their federal supervised release or probation conditions in the Federal Western District of North Carolina. She also works with Chris Fialko on many of his cases, including high-level state felonies, federal white-collar crime and drug cases, college Title IX sexual misconduct allegations, and post-conviction matters. Just recently, in Raleigh, Taylor made a thirty-minute presentation to a North Carolina parole commissioner on behalf of a post-conviction client. In preparation for the meeting, Taylor compiled a 50-page packet for the parole commissioners detailing all of the reasons the parole board should release her client.. Taylor began working in the criminal defense field when she 18 as an intern, and went to law school at UNC-Chapel Hill specifically to become a criminal defense attorney. She has the passion and tools necessary to fully investigate every case by gathering all key information, interviewing law enforcement and other witnesses, and negotiating with and advocating for her client with the appropriate people. Taylor likes to fight for her clients and believes in thorough and zealous representation, no matter the client or the charge.

Since 1995, Chris Connelly has been certified as a Specialist in State Criminal Law by the North Carolina State Bar. Of the thousands of lawyers in the Mecklenburg County Bar, only a handful have received this distinguished certification.  First licensed to practice law in 1987, he has represented thousands of clients in felony and misdemeanor cases - as well as traffic matters - in the Federal and State Courts.. Chris and his wife live downtown in their adopted city of Charlotte.. Chris enjoys travel, Tai Chi and trail riding on his gaited Tennessee Walking Horse named Dustye. Dustye is a sweet tempered, playful, noble-hearted buckskin who loves to give rides to kids.. Rounding out the family is the office mascot and part time employee Murraye Connelly, a Labradoodle who is quite sure in his own mind that he is a highly evolved human being. He is doted upon by staff and clients alike, stealing their hearts with his sweet disposition.. (While I am honored by the loyalty and enthusiastic testimonials of clients, please remember that each case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.  Prior results do not gaurentee a similar outcome in the future.)

Robert DeCurtins has lived in Charlotte since 1984 where he and his wife have raised their three children and he began his legal career.  Over the past 25 years he has successfully represented many thousands of clients in state criminal court in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and nearby counties.  He enjoys his relationships with his clients, past and present, and looks forward to getting to know his future clients.. Robert was born in Miami Beach, Florida on March 20, 1954, and grew up in Dayton, Ohio .  He attended college at Eastern Kentucky University where he graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology.. His first job out of college was with Montgomery Ward as a security director for a new location.  Responsibilities included hiring and training a staff of store detectives to apprehend shoplifters and all internal investigations of employee theft and embezzlement.. While working in that capacity Robert was introduced to the field of polygraph (or lie detector) and later graduated from the Lincoln Zonn Institute of Polygraph in Miami, Florida where he graduated 2nd in his class, which consisted mostly of police officers from around the country.  He was hired by the Zonn Security Corporation upon graduation and trained in New York city for a period of time under a nationally renowned polygraph examiner and interrogator who had conducted polygraph testing on witnesses surrounding the President Kennedy assassination.. Eventually, Robert accepted a position in Dayton, Ohio with Takkon Polygraph Firm which was owned and operated by Dayton Police Department homicide investigators and was the largest private firm in the Ohio/Kentucky/Indiana area.  While there he testified in criminal court as a polygraph expert.  Robert believes his polygraph and interrogation experience has been invaluable in his career as a criminal defense lawyer, having personally conducted approximately 8,000 polygraph examinations.  He also was eventually granted a state license to administer polygraphs in North Carolina .  Robert is possibly the only lawyer in North Carolina to have held such a license.. With an educational and job background in the criminal justice area, Robert began law school at the University of Dayton School of Law in 1980, obtaining his law degree in 1983.  Mr. DeCurtins then moved his family to Charlotte, North Carolina and began his legal career as an Assistant Public Defender.  In 1985 he left that office and went into private law practice.  At that time, Mr. DeCurtins helped prosecute child support arrearage cases in Charlotte .  In addition, he also represented the City’s interest in front of the Civil Service Board where his job was to have the board uphold punishments, i.e. suspensions or termination, handed down by the Charlotte Police Department for officer misconduct.. Throughout his career Robert has probably defended clients charged with almost every type or category of criminal case in North Carolina .  Of his most memorable cases to date were two separate instances where he defended Charlotte teachers who were accused of having sex with a student.  In one of the cases his client was a male teacher and in the other a female teacher.  The case involving the female teacher generated significant media interest on a national level because of the rarity of a female teacher being charged and several television shows, i.e. 20/20, sought interviews and or appearances.. Mr. DeCurtins also represented a NFL Carolina Panthers player during the Rae Carruth murder investigation and prosecution in Charlotte, North Carolina .  At that trial, approximately one year after the investigation started, both Robert and his client were called to testify.. Areas of Practice:. Bar Admissions:. Education:. Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Kentucky, 1976Bachelor of ScienceMajor: Criminology. Professional Associations and Memberships:. Mecklenburg County BarMember. North Carolina Academy of Trial LawyersMember

My practice focusses on criminal defense, DWI/DUI, and traffic violations.  I am a native of Charlotte, N.C. and a graduate of Myers Park High School.  After graduating from Campbell University School of Law, I took a job as a North Carolina Assistant District Attorney for  Prosecutorial District 20-A.  As both a former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney, I have handled everything from a speeding ticket to a first degree murder case.  Know that you are in good hands and contact me for a free consultation.

My Office Phone number is: I have practiced criminal and Traffic law in Mecklenburg County since 1992.  First as an Assistant District Attorney,  then as a defense lawyer in private practice.   Please read my reviews.  I'd be happy to assist you .

Mr. Winiker is an experienced trial attorney who defends individuals and businesses in state and federal white-collar criminal cases. He counsels clients in pre-trial negotiations with the United States Department of Justice, counsels clients under investigation by the FBI, IRS, SEC and other federal and state agencies, and regularly defends people charged with felony and misdemeanor crimes in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.He is a former federal and state prosecutor who is admitted to practice in North Carolina, the United States District Courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of North Carolina, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth and Ninth Circuits.He has successfully argued cases that have appeared in published decisions in both federal appellate circuits (See United States v. Goforth, 546 F.3d 712 (4th Cir. 2008)- Pre-trial release of person accused of federal crime)As a former Assistant United States Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, Mr. Winiker prosecuted a wide variety of federal crimes, represented federal agencies in civil litigation, and was responsible for tracing and seizing criminal funds nationally and internationally. He served as an Assistant Director for the Cybercrimes section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Education and coordinated nationwide training on computer forensics, internet fraud, and computerized courtroom presentations and discovery management.Mr. Winiker is also a former Assistant District Attorney with the Charlotte Mecklenburg District Attorney’s Office.He is a graduate of Wake Forest University  – Gonzaga University School of Law, cum laude – and is a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Persian Gulf War.

Mr. Olsinski received his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and History from Indiana University, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta social fraternity and the National Scholars Honor Society. He attended Hofstra University School of Law, where he graduated in the top half of his class. At Hofstra, he participated in the Criminal Justice Clinic, worked for a prominent criminal defense attorney and worked for The Legal Aid Society of Nassau County. Mr. Olsinski has completed a ten-day intensive seminar emphasizing effective trial advocacy techniques. He is admitted to practice in federal court. Mr. Olsinski is married and his wife is also an attorney who practices personal injury law. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing with his dog, golfing, and watching sports.

Missy Owen always wanted to be a criminal defense lawyer. The daughter of Pittsburgh defense attorney John Knorr, Missy grew up with the practice of criminal law in her blood. Missy has practiced criminal law exclusively since moving to Charlotte in 2002, where she met Noell Tin and joined what was then his solo practice. Their legal partnership was the first brick laid in the building of Tin Fulton Walker & Owen.. Missy represents clients in state and federal courts across North Carolina, handling cases ranging from misdemeanors to homicides. Missy has particular expertise in white collar and sex offense cases, where she has represented clients in the pre-indictment phase, at trial, and on appeal. She also represents clients in regulatory proceedings involving the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (SEC).. In white collar matters, Missy’s keen ability to analyze and digest complex business arrangements and transactions enables her to quickly assess a client’s circumstances and provide immediate guidance. In sex offense matters, she regularly works with forensic experts and consultants to aggressively investigate allegations. As a consequence of her approach to these challenging cases, some of Missy’s clients are never ultimately prosecuted.. Missy is a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, serves on PTO Board at Saint Patrick Catholic School, and is an active member of the Dilworth Neighborhood Development Association. In 2013, Missy joined the board of the Federal Defenders of Western North Carolina, Inc.

Michelle Abbott is a North Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney, located in Charlotte, NC. Michelle is licensed to practice law in North Carolina State Court and in Federal Court in the Western District of North Carolina.. Michelle works at Gilles Law, PLLC. Gilles Law client reviews can be read here:  She believes in providing each client with thorough representation, zealous advocacy, and personalized services, tailored to each client's unique situation.. The address listed is for mailing purposes only and is not a staffed office location.

Looking for sound advice, counsel, and representation?  My name is Tim Pavone and I am your attorney.

Kimberly Olsinski has experience representing client in the Charlotte and Concord area with their criminal defense and personal injury matters. If you have been arrested for a DWI, drug possession, assault, trespassing or any other criminal offense, contact Kimberly Olsinski today. If you have been injured in an accident of any kind, contact Kimberly Olsinski to find out if you have a case. Kimberly Olsinski always offers a free, no obligation consultation.

J. Bradley Smith of Arnold & Smith, PLLC is a Charlotte native who has practiced criminal law in North Carolina throughout his career. After graduating law school, Mr. Smith joined the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s office, where he prosecuted both misdemeanor and felony cases. In 2006, Mr. Smith entered private practice, focusing primarily on criminal defense. A graduate of the Trial Advocacy Program at the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, SC, Mr. Smith has extensive trial experience encompassing hundreds of cases in superior and district court in North Carolina. In addition, Mr. Smith has received the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration certification for DWI detection – the same training police officers receive to spot motorists suspected of driving while impaired. Mr. Smith is also a certified operator of the Intoxilyzer 5000, the instrument often used by law enforcement to test for breath alcohol content. In 2011, he was selected by North Carolina Lawyer’s Weekly as one of North Carolina’s Emerging Legal Leaders. Mr. Smith has had several high profile cases that have appeared in the news and he is frequently called upon by the media to provide insight for topics pertaining to the criminal justice system in North Carolina. He has spoken at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, and is a popular lecturer to various civic groups and other Charlotte organizations. J. Bradley Smith has helped countless clients who have found themselves facing criminal and DWI charges. He and his staff are always ready to answer any questions and help formulate a strategic defense based on the individual case.

I’m a proud, native North Carolinian. I grew up in Greensboro and got to attend UNC Chapel Hill for college. During those years, I was involved pretty heavily in my church, different community service groups, and soccer. After college, I went to Liberty University School of Law, passed the California bar exam, and joined a talent agency as an agent’s assistant in Los Angeles. After a few months in the position, I realized I wanted to practice law and live in the south. So, I moved back to North Carolina. Shortly after returning, I took the North Carolina bar exam and joined the NC State Bar. About a year and a half later, I met Matthew Weaver in Columbia, SC and we started this firm in Charlotte.. One of the primary reasons I started this firm was because I noticed, and wanted to help fight, a problem that happens every day in criminal law. I don’t know whether it’s systemic or reflects misplaced goals in our legal system but once you see someone go into the court system, you rarely see them get out. And so, as a criminal defense attorney, I set two goals for my firm. The first is fairly simple. If you’re innocent, Matthew and I will fight to keep you out of the system. The second is a bit more complicated and involves working with clients that are looking to right their wrong. That often involves pushing for sentences that promote rehabilitation instead of recidivism. So, I’m very interested in pushing toward creative sentencing in the NC courts, increasing rehabilitation opportunities, and limiting the need for incarceration. If you’re in need of help and looking to move past your situation, we are interested in representing you.

I worked as an Assistant District Attorney for approx. 12 that time I had approx 60 felony jury trials ranging from robbery, embezzlement,  rape and 1st degree murder.  My experience allows me to help those charged with serious criminal offenses find the best solutions for them, whether that means negotiating a lesser sentence or going to trial.

I represent people charged with serious felonies in State and Federal Court.  In addition to white collar criminal defense, I still handle a significant number of cases involving violent crimes and high level drug offenses.  I am also one of the few lawyers in North Carolina that represents whistleblowers exposing fraud against the government.

I love competition and thrive on being a trial lawyer.  I'm known as the 'DWI Guy' and 100% own it.  It's what I do.  I'm in the Legal Elite Hall of Fame as my colleagues voted me as North Carolina's Top Criminal Law Attorney in 2016.  I appreciate all the awards and recognition, from serving on Law Review to Business NC's Top 30 Under 30, to Super Lawyers, to the National Trial Lawyer's Top 40 Under 40, but it's helping people that makes me truly happy.. What will become clear after speaking with me?. [1] I'm direct and strategically-aggressive.. [2] My niche is getting people (Judges, Lawyers, DA's Office, etc.) to say "Yes" when they don't want to.. [3] Our custom internal-process and checks & balance systems will be relieving.. Being a certified NBA Player Agent (NBPA), the time I don’t spend battling it out in court, I spend either recruiting NBA prospects or reliving my glory days on the basketball court.  I’ve been the Commissioner of the Mecklenburg County Lawyer Basketball League for years.  Check out the photo-section for our recent Championship portrait.  You’ll have the opportunity to hold our 50lb. gavel as it’s proudly displayed as soon as you walk in our building.. I’m a West Virginia native who fights to the end.  I started my professional career in the Corporate & Investment Banking world.  Although very interesting, I didn’t know my personal end-game until I formed RTS Law Group.  Our employees are sharp, passionate, and feel like they are members of my family (some actually are).  This has all been a dream-come-true.  I’m looking forward to fighting on your behalf.

I have worked for more than 30 years in State and Federal courts defending people accused of crimes. In that time I have handled a number of high-profile cases across the Southeast, New York, California and in one case, Norway.. I am certified as a Specialist in both Federal and State criminal law by the North Carolina State Bar and have been selected by my peers to be included in The Best Lawyers in America in two practice areas, White Collar Criminal Defense and Non-White Collar Criminal Defense. I have also been named by Business North Carolina magazine as one of the state’s “Legal Elite” for multiple consecutive years and consistently named as one of North Carolina’s Super Lawyers.. A native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, I graduated with honors from Duke University and from the University of North Carolina School of Law in Chapel Hill. I established my own law practice in 1983. People have described me as a “lawyers’ lawyer,” having represented a number of attorneys over my career, including prosecutors and judges.. Verdicts/Settlements

I have spent my entire legal career as a Criminal Defense Attorney in Charlotte.  Although my office is located in Charlotte, I can accept cases in any of the 100 counties of North Carolina.. I presently focus on the defense of Felony Criminal Charges.  If the State of North Carolina has charged or accused you of any Felony Criminal matter, I would be happy to talk with you about your case.. I handle a wide variety of Felony Criminal Offenses at the State Level:Felony Drug charges, Sex Offenses, Property crimes, Violent Assaults, Robbery, Embezzlement, etc.. I handle Misdemeanor Criminal Offenses, as well as Traffic and DWI Cases.. I also handle Expunctions of Criminal Records.. My goal is to fight for your legal rights in a professional, kind, and caring manner.. If I can be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I have dedicated my entire legal career to criminal defense, through direct representation as well as policy work. Upon graduating from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2008, I began my legal career as an assistant public defender in Mecklenburg County, protecting the rights of defendants who could not afford otherwise afford legal representation in District and Superior Courts. From 2014 to 2017, I worked for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Washington, D.C., organizing training for public defenders and private assigned counsel and advancing reform efforts in various states. From 2017 to 2023, I returned to public defense, working to defend the rights of the accused in serious criminal cases in Camden, New Jersey. In 2023, I returned to North Carolina to continue my career as a criminal defense attorney with The Olsinski Law Firm.. I represent adults charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses in District and Superior Court primarily in Mecklenburg County. I occasionally take cases in surrounding counties, such as Cabarrus and Union, and I am admitted to practice in the federal court of the Western District of North Carolina. Although I represent people charged with a variety of crimes, I have a particular interest in domestic violence defense and cases with Fourth Amendment issues - seeking to keep out evidence that the government obtained in violation of the Constitution. I greatly value communication and strive to always make sure that clients understand the status of their cases, the evidence, and their options.. I am a member of the Mecklenburg County Bar, the Cabarrus County Bar, and the Mecklenburg County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. I also am a member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, including the Criminal Justice Section and the Women's Caucus, and am serving as an Education Co-Chair for the NCAJ Women's Caucus in 2024-2025. My husband and I live in Charlotte with our large rescue dogs. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, reading, playing games of all kinds, and dining out at Charlotte's many fabulous restaurants. I am also an active member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Charlotte Alumnae chapter.

I have been practicing federal and state criminal defense in Charlotte for over 20 years. Since 2010, I have been a State Bar Board Certified Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Law. Since 2012, I have been selected each year as a North Carolina Super Lawyer and have received the highest peer rating (AV preeminent) from Martindale-Hubbell. I have handled every type of criminal case and have always striven to obtain the best possible results for my clients. Unlike many criminal defense lawyers, I do not run a high volume practice where the client is expected to quickly plead guilty and move on. Instead, I studiously look for weaknesses in the prosecution's case with an eye towards winning the case in front of a jury. I am not afraid to try a case, having tried over 130 jury trials during my legal career. On the other hand, if the case appears to be one which will likely result in a guilty verdict, I use the weaknesses in the prosecution's case and the positive aspects of my client's background to try to negotiate a better plea bargain than would otherwise be offered.

I have been a board-certified family law specialist since 2010. I dedicate my practice to family law matters, such as equitable distribution, child custody, child support, alimony, post-separation support, step-parent and family member adoptions, alienation of affection and criminal conversation cases, and post-judgment practice, including contempt motions appeals.  You can follow the Horack Talley Family Law Practice Group on Facebook at  and instagram at @HTfamilylaw.