North Carolina Criminal Defense Attorneys

No. Always exercise your right to remain silent and request an attorney immediately. Anything you say can be used against you, even if you are innocent. Police are trained to elicit incriminating statements. Do not answer questions, sign anything, or agree to any tests until you have spoken with a criminal defense attorney.

At first appearance, the judge will inform you of the charges against you, determine if probable cause exists, and set bond conditions. Having an experienced attorney present can significantly impact your bond amount and release conditions. Our attorneys fight for the lowest possible bond so you can return home while your case is pending.

Costs vary based on charge severity and case complexity. Misdemeanors typically range from $1,500 to $5,000, while felonies can be $5,000 to $25,000 or more. At Vasquez Law Firm, Adrianna Ingram handles criminal defense consultations Tuesday through Thursday from 1 PM to 5 PM. Telephonic consultations are free. In-person consultations are available at our Smithfield office for $150. No consultations on Mondays or Fridays, except for paid emergency consultations at $250. We also offer flexible payment plans. The cost of not having proper defense is often much higher than attorney fees.

Yes, charges can be dismissed, reduced, or diverted through programs. Success depends on the strength of evidence, legal issues with the arrest or search, negotiation skills, and having an experienced attorney who knows the prosecutors and judges in your jurisdiction.

In North Carolina, misdemeanors are less serious offenses punishable by up to 150 days in jail, while felonies carry potential prison sentences of more than one year. Felony convictions also result in loss of voting rights, firearm ownership, and can severely impact employment opportunities. An experienced criminal defense attorney can sometimes negotiate felony charges down to misdemeanors.

Yes, certain criminal convictions can have severe immigration consequences including deportation, denial of naturalization, or bars to reentry. Even misdemeanors involving drugs or moral turpitude can trigger removal proceedings. Our firm handles both criminal defense and immigration law, so we understand how to protect your immigration status while defending your criminal case.

Stay calm and be polite, but do not answer any questions beyond providing your name. Clearly state that you want to speak with a lawyer and that you are invoking your right to remain silent. Do not consent to any searches. Do not discuss your case with anyone except your attorney. Call Vasquez Law Firm immediately at 1 (844) 967-3536 for emergency defense assistance.

North Carolina allows expungement of certain criminal records, including dismissed charges, not guilty verdicts, and some first-time offenses after a waiting period. Recent changes to NC expungement law have expanded eligibility. Our attorneys can review your record and determine if you qualify for expungement to clear your criminal history.

Most private criminal defense attorneys, including our firm, offer payment plans so you do not have to pay the full fee up front. We typically require a deposit at hiring and then monthly installments tied to the case timeline. We also accept credit cards. If private representation truly is not possible and you are charged with a crime that carries jail time, you may be eligible for a court-appointed lawyer (public defender) based on a financial affidavit filed with the court — but a court-appointed lawyer is only available if you cannot afford private counsel, and the court still imposes appointment fees in many counties.

For criminal charges that carry possible jail time, North Carolina courts will appoint a public defender or court-appointed attorney at no upfront cost if you qualify financially. You apply through the clerk of court using an Affidavit of Indigency at first appearance. The court may still impose an appointment fee at sentencing (currently $60) and recoup attorney fees if you are convicted. For civil, traffic, family, or immigration matters, free counsel is not automatic — those are handled by Legal Aid of NC or pro bono volunteers, and eligibility is income-tested and slot-limited.

In Johnston and Harnett County district court, misdemeanor cases typically resolve in 3 to 6 months — sometimes faster at a single court date if a plea is reached, or longer if there are continuances or motions to suppress. Felony cases in superior court usually take 8 to 18 months from arrest to disposition, depending on grand jury timing, discovery, expert work, and trial scheduling. DWI cases in particular often run 4 to 9 months because of breath-test and lab-result litigation. We give a realistic timeline at the consultation based on the charge, the court, and the assigned ADA.

Yes. North Carolina convictions remain on the public criminal record permanently unless expunged, and they appear on employer and landlord background checks pulled through the AOC public records portal or third-party screeners. Dismissed charges, not-guilty verdicts, and many first-time offenses can be expunged under N.C.G.S. § 15A-145 and related statutes, but expungement is a separate court process — a dismissal alone does not erase the record. We review your record at the consultation and tell you exactly what is eligible.