1. McCoppin & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.A.
Focus Area: Criminal defense with 25+ years experience and Board Certification in State and Federal Criminal Law
Practice Areas: DWI/DUI, drug crimes, firearm offenses, violent crimes, assault, domestic violence, white-collar crimes, federal crimes
Background: At McCoppin & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.A., North Carolina criminal defense attorney Andrew McCoppin offers over 25 years of legal experience for Wake County residents and all others accused of a crime. Mr. McCoppin knows the criminal justice system, as he is a former prosecutor in Wake County. He also is one of the few attorneys in North Carolina to earn Board Certification from the North Carolina State Bar as a legal specialist in both State Criminal Law and Federal Criminal Law. McCoppin has aggressively and successfully represented people accused of criminal charges ranging from minor traffic violations, having helped clients resolve over 10,000 cases, to driving under the influence (DWI or DUI); violent crimes against others, including assaults and domestic violence; and complex white collar crimes. Mr. McCoppin’s success on behalf of clients proves the value of his approach in every case, which includes personally representing each client at all stages of the defense, and taking every step necessary to get the results his clients deserve. That means leaving plea bargains as a last resort, not a defense plan.
Location: Raleigh and Cary, North Carolina (serves Wake County and throughout NC)
Contact: (919) 481-0011 | https://www.mccoppinlaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available
2. Coolidge Law Firm
Focus Area: Criminal defense serving Wake County with experience in state and federal courts
Practice Areas: Drug crimes, violent offenses, sex crimes, domestic violence, alcohol offenses, marijuana defense, federal crimes
Background: If you or a loved one is charged with a crime in Cary, North Carolina, Coolidge Law Firm provides experienced defense representation. Criminal charges include a wide range of offense types. Offenses can be either federal or state. State offenses are tried in a district or superior court at the Wake County Justice Center. Federal charges are tried in one of the U.S. district courthouses in the Eastern District of North Carolina. When you are charged with an offense relating to controlled substances, from misdemeanor possession to felony drug trafficking, your first step should be to contact an experienced Cary drug criminal defense lawyer who will fight for the outcome. Marijuana has been consumed for thousands of years, but while some states wrestle with the legality of its use, conviction rates for possession, cultivation, and trafficking remain high. Although legal in some states, North Carolina still actively prosecutes crimes related to marijuana. At Coolidge Law Firm, the Cary violent offense lawyers will fight for your rights and challenge evidence, possibly causing charges to be reduced or dropped.
Location: Cary, North Carolina (serves Wake County)
Contact: Available through firm website | https://nccriminallaw.com/
Consultation: Free evaluation available
3. Granados Law Group, PLLC
Focus Area: Criminal defense with former prosecutor experience and jury trial consulting expertise
Practice Areas: DWI/DUI, drug crimes, sex crimes, traffic offenses, federal drug trafficking, expungement
Background: Granados Law Group focuses on Traffic, Misdemeanor and Felony charges in Wake County, in addition to Federal charges in the Eastern District of North Carolina. A traffic or criminal charge can have a profound effect on your life and financial situation. Finding the right Criminal Defense Attorney makes all the difference. Whether you’re charged with a traffic ticket or trafficking drugs, the firm has you covered. The team of attorneys is seasoned and ready to fight for you and your rights. Attorney Lindsey Granados and her Wake County-based legal team handle all criminal and traffic matters in Wake County. Granados Law Group’s expungement practice proudly serves clients in all 100 counties in North Carolina, from the coast to the mountains. Experienced criminal defense attorney and trial lawyer, Lindsey Granados, has begun accepting fellow civil attorneys and law firms as clients in need of a jury trial consultant. Attorney Granados has almost two decades worth of experience as a criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor, having tried countless bench trials and numerous jury trials to verdict.
Location: Cary/Wake County, North Carolina
Contact: Available through firm website | https://www.granadoslaw.com/
Consultation: Available to schedule consultation
4. Marcilliat & Mills PLLC
Focus Area: Criminal defense with 110+ combined years of experience handling 5,000+ cases
Practice Areas: Sex crimes, drug crimes, DWI, violent crimes, federal crimes, white-collar crimes
Background: At Marcilliat & Mills PLLC, the criminal defense attorneys understand that when Cary, North Carolina residents are charged with a sex crime, their reputations, livelihoods, and very freedom are at stake. In these cases, it is incredibly important to prioritize facts over allegations to develop effective defense strategies. The criminal defense law firm has worked closely with sex crimes prosecutors who have defended some of the most difficult sex crimes cases imaginable and are prepared to counter the District Attorney’s Office each step of the way, no matter the circumstances of the case. In just over a decade, the criminal defense law firm has handled over 5,000 cases with uncompromising precision, producing meaningful results in difficult cases for clients throughout North Carolina. The talented team of criminal defense attorneys has established themselves as an authoritative presence inside and outside both state and federal courtrooms in Cary and throughout North Carolina, reputably producing real results for clients through case dismissals, reduced charges, and other recognizably favorable outcomes. The attorneys use over 110 combined years of experience, skill, and influence to provide the legal guidance clients deserve when their futures are at stake.
Location: Serves Cary and throughout North Carolina
Contact: Available through firm website | https://nclawteam.com/
Consultation: Available to discuss case
5. The Chetson Firm
Focus Area: Criminal defense with former prosecutor running for District Attorney in Wake County
Practice Areas: DWI, drug crimes, assault, theft, sex crimes, traffic offenses, felonies, misdemeanors
Background: At The Chetson Firm, the attorneys are here to work diligently for you when you’re unsure where to turn. They want to see you get the outcome for your case. When Damon Chetson ran for District Attorney in Wake County in 2022, and secured nearly 42 percent of the vote against a powerful incumbent, he did so because he doesn’t back down from tough fights. As an experienced and dedicated North Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney, he brings that same fighting spirit to every client’s case. The firm provides comprehensive criminal defense representation for residents of Cary and throughout Wake County, handling everything from traffic offenses to serious felony charges. The attorneys understand the local court system and have established relationships with prosecutors and judges in Wake County courts.
Location: Serves Cary and Wake County, North Carolina
Contact: Available through firm website | https://www.thechetsonlaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available
Criminal Defense Laws in North Carolina
Felony Classifications
North Carolina classifies felonies into ten classes (A through I, plus B1 and B2):
Class A Felony: First-degree murder. Penalty is death or life imprisonment without parole.
Class B1 Felony: Includes second-degree murder, first-degree rape, first-degree sexual offense. Maximum life imprisonment without parole.
Class B2 Felony: Includes second-degree murder (certain circumstances). Maximum 484 months imprisonment.
Class C Felony: Includes second-degree rape, assault with deadly weapon with intent to kill. Maximum 231 months imprisonment.
Class D-I Felonies: Ranging from voluntary manslaughter (Class D) to larceny over $1,000 (Class H). Penalties decrease with class level.
Misdemeanor Classifications
Class A1 Misdemeanor: Includes assault on female, assault inflicting serious injury. Maximum 150 days jail.
Class 1 Misdemeanor: Includes larceny, DWI, possession of marijuana. Maximum 120 days jail.
Class 2 Misdemeanor: Includes simple assault, disorderly conduct. Maximum 60 days jail.
Class 3 Misdemeanor: Includes possession of marijuana paraphernalia. Maximum 20 days jail.
Expungement
North Carolina allows expungement of certain criminal records:
Dismissals/Acquittals: Eligible immediately.
First-Time Drug Offenses: May be eligible after completion of probation.
Certain Misdemeanors: Eligible after waiting period (typically 5 years).
Certain Felonies: Limited eligibility after 10-15 years.
Not Eligible: Violent felonies, sex offenses, and DWI are generally not eligible.
DWI Laws
North Carolina DWI applies to driving with BAC of .08% or higher (.04% commercial, .00% under 21). Penalties are based on six levels (Level 5 being least severe, Level 1 being most severe) determined by aggravating and mitigating factors. Level 5 DWI carries 24 hours to 60 days jail, up to $200 fine, and 1-year license revocation. Level 1 DWI carries 30 days to 2 years jail, up to $4,000 fine, and 1-year license revocation. Habitual DWI (fourth offense within 10 years) is a Class F felony.
Frequently Asked Questions
What courts handle criminal cases in Cary?
Criminal cases originating in Cary are handled by the Wake County court system. Misdemeanor and traffic cases are heard in Wake County District Court. Felony cases are heard in Wake County Superior Court. Both courts are located at the Wake County Justice Center in Raleigh. Federal criminal cases are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Having a Cary criminal defense attorney familiar with Wake County judges and prosecutors provides an advantage in navigating your case.
What is North Carolina’s structured sentencing system?
North Carolina uses a structured sentencing system that determines punishment based on the offense class and the defendant’s prior record level. Prior record levels range from I (no criminal history) to VI (extensive criminal history). The intersection of offense class and prior record level determines whether the sentence is community, intermediate, or active (incarceration). Judges have limited discretion to deviate from presumptive ranges. A Cary criminal defense attorney can evaluate how structured sentencing applies to your case and work to minimize your prior record level calculation.
What are the penalties for drug possession in North Carolina?
North Carolina has varying penalties depending on the substance and quantity. Possession of marijuana (up to 0.5 oz) is a Class 3 misdemeanor with up to 20 days jail. Possession of marijuana (0.5-1.5 oz) is a Class 1 misdemeanor with up to 120 days jail. Possession of Schedule I-IV controlled substances is a Class I felony with 3-8 months for first offense (presumptive probation). Trafficking charges apply at certain weight thresholds with mandatory minimum sentences. Drug court and conditional discharge may be available for eligible first-time offenders. A Cary criminal defense attorney can evaluate eligibility for alternative sentencing.
What happens if I am charged with DWI in Wake County?
A DWI charge in Wake County carries serious consequences determined by North Carolina’s six-level system. Level 5 (minimal factors) carries 24 hours to 60 days jail and up to $200 fine. Level 1 (serious factors) carries 30 days to 2 years jail and up to $4,000 fine. Grossly Aggravating Factors (prior DWI within 7 years, driving with revoked license from DWI, serious injury, child in vehicle) increase severity. All DWI convictions result in 1-year license revocation. North Carolina has an implied consent law with civil license revocation for refusal. A Cary criminal defense attorney can challenge the traffic stop, field sobriety tests, and chemical test results.
Can I get my North Carolina criminal record expunged?
North Carolina allows expungement of certain criminal records. Dismissals and acquittals are eligible immediately. First-time drug offenses may be eligible after successful completion of probation. Certain misdemeanors are eligible after waiting periods (typically 5 years). Certain non-violent felonies may be eligible after 10-15 years. Not eligible for expungement are violent felonies, sex offenses requiring registration, and DWI. The effect of expungement is that records are sealed from public view. A Cary criminal defense attorney can evaluate eligibility and file the appropriate petition.