Best Criminal Lawyer in North Carolina
PAUL S. MISSAN
Criminal Lawyer
Attorney Paul S. Missan received his undergraduate degree with four honors from Temple University of Philadelphia, PA. He then attended Villanova Law School, from which he graduated with his J.D. in 1987. Immediately afterwards, he relocated to the Bronx to hone his prosecution skills in one of the highest-stakes cities in America.
Attorney Missan was then recruited as a Prosecutor in Reading, PA, where he served as Chief of the Child Abuse Unit and Prosecutor for all types of crimes, including murder.
However, Attorney Missan has worked solely as a Criminal Defense Attorney for the past 25 years, helping to protect to rights of citizens in Reading, PA, and the surrounding areas. As a former Bronx Prosecutor, Paul S. Missan is an aggressive legal advocate who will fight for your rights and help you get the representation you deserve.
Carolina T. Curbelo
Criminal Lawyer
Carolina T. Curbelo represents individuals in immigration proceedings before the U.S. Immigration Courts, as well as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for family-based applications, naturalization, and humanitarian assistance such as asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), U visas, VAWA and T visas.
She is significantly experienced in representing clients on humanitarian immigration applications, including asylum, withholding of removal and relief under the Convention Against Torture (CAT).
Carolina has represented political activists, fleeing gang gender violence, members of the LGBTQ community from around the world. She is particularly adept at representing unaccompanied minor children and adolescents.
Her experience also includes family-based immigration claims, immigration bail bonds and immigration assistance for those with criminal records. Additionally, she advises small businesses and entrepreneurs on commercial immigration matters.
As a mother of two exceptional children, Carolina T. Curbelo has first-hand experience negotiating and experiencing the special education process. She has represented parents and children at IEP meetings, due process hearings and settlement negotiations.
Twyla Carter
Criminal Lawyer
Twyla Carter (she/her) serves as the Attorney-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer of The Legal Aid Society, becoming the first Black woman and first Asian American to lead the organization in its 145-year history.
Prior to joining Legal Aid, Carter was the National Director of Legal and Policy at The Bail Project (TBP), a national nonprofit organization that pioneered a national movement to bring free bail assistance and pretrial support to thousands of low-income people every year. At TBP, Carter created the department’s strategic mission and directed the legal, policy, and advocacy efforts at the federal, state, and local levels. After over 22,000 bailouts over nearly 5 years, and with 90% of their clients returning to court, The Bail Project’s model has proven that the nation’s wealth-based pretrial detention system is broken.
Carter has also served as a senior staff attorney in the Criminal Law Reform Project at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) national office, where she litigated local and state bail inequities and right-to-counsel protections in the federal courts and designed alternative bail and representation policies and procedures for targeted jurisdictions. In this role, Carter litigated Booth v. Galveston County, a pretrial bail case in Texas, where the magistrate court held that people accused of crimes have a right to counsel in initial bail hearings under the Sixth Amendment, one of the only jurisdictions in the nation to guarantee legal representation at this critical stage of trial.
At the ACLU, Carter was also co- or lead counsel in the following class action lawsuits: Bairefoot v. Beaufort, a right-to-counsel case in South Carolina; Mock v. Glynn County, a pretrial bail case in Georgia; White v. Hesse, a pretrial bail case in Oklahoma that alleged violations under the American Disabilities Act and Rehabilitation Act; Allison et al. v. Allen et al., a pretrial bail case in Alamance County, North Carolina, and Ross v. 36th District Court, a pretrial bail and right-to-counsel case in Detroit, Michigan, the fifth busiest court in the country.
LINDSEY D. GRANADOS
Criminal Lawyer
Attorney Lindsey D. Granados is an experienced trial lawyer and seasoned litigator who advocates tirelessly for her clients. She truly cares for the well-being of her clients, and her compassion and desire to see justice in action motivates her to seek the best possible outcome in each case. Over the course of her career, Lindsey has tried hundreds of District Court cases—infractions, misdemeanors of every variety, DWIs—and numerous high-level felony criminal jury trials to verdict in Superior Court.
Lindsey Granados formed Granados Law Group, PLLC in January 2023 when her law partner, Wiley Nickel, was elected to serve North Carolina in Congress! This has been such an exciting time, and we’re excited about the new direction of the firm, although we’re sad to lose Wiley, who must leave the firm due to Congressional rules relating to conflicts of interest. Although the firm name and office location have changed (we’re now located at 701 E. Chatham St., Ste. 209, Cary, NC 27511), the people working here are the same great attorneys and staff you’ve come to know, and our firm remains committed to providing high-quality legal services to our clients!
Dewey P. Brinkley
Criminal Lawyer
After graduating from law school, Mr. Brinkley worked from 2002-2005 as a Wake County Assistant District Attorney where he handled over a hundred criminal trials as a prosecutor in domestic violence court, juvenile delinquency court and misdemeanor/traffic court.
In 2005, Mr. Brinkley went into private practice as a Raleigh Criminal Attorney and founded our Law Firm. Since then he has focused on handling serious felonies, DWI, drug crimes, sex offenses and misdemeanors. Mr. Brinkley has won acquittals for past clients in Superior Court jury trials and in District Court on charges of attempted first degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, indecent liberties with a child, felony assault with a deadly weapon, possession with the intent to sell or deliver cocaine, assault on a female and driving while impaired. Today, we provide defense for a wide variety of criminal charges.
John Fanney
Criminal Lawyer
Fanney Law Office, PLLC provides legal services for clients in Raleigh, North Carolina and surrounding areas. Our law firms helps people facing allegations criminal charges. John Fanney is an experienced courtroom advocate, available for legal representation in Raleigh, NC in Wake County and the surrounding judicial districts.
John Fanney is a North Carolina Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist in both State Criminal Law and Federal Criminal Law, and has devoted his practice exclusively to defending clients against criminal charges, with an emphasis on courtroom advocacy:
- Counsel you on ways to be proactive about your case
- Assess if there was probable cause for an arrest
- Work to protect your legal rights (Constitutional Rights)
- File Pre Trial Motions
- Take your case to trial, if appropriate
- Communicate with you about the steps of your criminal charges
- Advise you about all of your options, including consequences of potential conviction, and some possible ways to reduce your sentence.
Shahzad Khan
Criminal Lawyer
Shahzad Khan, a native of Pakistan, has put down roots in High Point, North Carolina, where he serves the legal needs of his community and the residents of the surrounding counties of the Triad.
A former business owner and manager of a used car dealership, Shahzad earned a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina – Greensboro. Shahzad then went on to pursue his Juris Doctor, which he received from Elon University School of Law.
Shahzad made the decision to pursue a legal career when he saw a need for accessible, efficient, and affordable representation in his community and in the surrounding areas. During law school, Shahzad worked for the Guilford County Public Defender’s Office, and he clerked at numerous local law firms specializing in a variety of matters from criminal law, to estate planning, to immigration law.
After taking and passing the North Carolina Bar Exam, Shahzad worked for a general practice law firm, where he amassed a wealth of experience and knowledge in civil litigation, criminal litigation, and traffic matters. Shahzad has successfully represented countless clients in both District Court and Superior Court, handling cases involving minor traffic tickets, to litigating complex criminal and civil matters.
Shahzad is admitted to practice law in the State of North Carolina.
Julian M. Hall
Criminal Lawyer
The Law Office of Julian M. Hall, is a criminal, traffic and personal injury firm, with its’ principle office located in Downtown Durham, North Carolina. The Law Office of Julian M. Hall provides aggressive and diligent representation to the accused and injured. The “Hall Firm” has experience in a wide variety of criminal, civil, and traffic matters, and is prepared to litigate.
At the Law Office of Julian M. Hall our work philosophy stems from three basic thoughts.
- Proper planning prevents poor performance.
- Hard Work, at a profit if we can, at a loss if we must, but always…HARD WORK!
- “Social accountability”
It is our guarantee that every case will be handled competently, diligently, efficiently, and with all the proper planning it takes, to perform at our very best for you. This includes thoroughly investigating the facts of each case, not only with the client, but with law enforcement as well. We will thoroughly research any applicable law in regards to your case, and use it to analyze your case in order to provide the best defense possible.
Tar Heel State Justice: Why You Need a Top Criminal Lawyer in North Carolina
Facing criminal charges in North Carolina, the “Tar Heel State,” can feel like navigating the Outer Banks – breathtaking yet unpredictable. The legal system, while striving for fairness, can be complex and unforgiving. Here’s why securing a top-tier criminal lawyer in North Carolina is crucial for protecting your freedom and achieving the best possible outcome:
1. Unmatched Expertise in North Carolina’s Legal Landscape:
North Carolina has its own unique set of criminal codes, statutes, and court decisions. A top-tier criminal lawyer licensed in North Carolina possesses in-depth understanding of these nuances, allowing them to:
- Decode Legal Complexities: They can meticulously analyze your case within the framework of the North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS) and interpret key court rulings that may influence the prosecution’s strategy and your potential defenses.
- Stay Current on Legal Developments: The legal landscape is constantly evolving. Your lawyer actively monitors changes in North Carolina criminal law, ensuring your defense strategy reflects the most up-to-date legal principles and leverages any recent rulings that could benefit your case.
2. Specialized Criminal Defense Experience:
Top criminal lawyers in North Carolina dedicate their practice to defending individuals facing criminal charges:
- A Breadth of Criminal Cases: They possess extensive experience handling a wide range of offenses, including drug crimes, assault, theft, DUIs, white-collar crimes, and more. This expertise allows them to anticipate prosecution tactics and readily identify potential defense strategies specific to your situation.
3. Championing Your Rights Under North Carolina Law:
Your fundamental rights are paramount:
- Protecting Your Constitutional Rights: The best criminal attorneys in North Carolina are dedicated to protecting your constitutional rights throughout the legal process. They ensure that law enforcement and prosecutors adhere to proper procedures, such as respecting your right to remain silent and the right to legal representation. They will challenge any violations of your rights and work to exclude any unlawfully obtained evidence from being used against you. (NC.gov)
4. Building a Strong Defense Through Investigation:
A top criminal lawyer in North Carolina doesn’t wait for the prosecution to make a move:
- Thorough Case Evaluation: They will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your case, meticulously analyzing evidence, witness statements, and police reports. They may conduct their own investigation to uncover inconsistencies, weaknesses, or potential defenses that could strengthen your case.
5. Strategic Negotiation and Plea Bargaining:
Skilled negotiation can lead to favorable outcomes:
- Expert Negotiation Skills: A competent criminal attorney possesses excellent negotiation skills and can work with prosecutors to secure a favorable plea agreement on your behalf. They will advocate for you, aiming to reduce charges or penalties, and explore alternatives such as diversion programs or probation. This negotiation skill can help minimize the potential consequences of your case.
6. Courtroom Advocacy: Powerful Representation When Needed:
If your case goes to trial, having a seasoned lawyer by your side is crucial:
- Trial-Ready Attorneys: The best criminal lawyers in North Carolina have extensive courtroom experience, including knowledge of trial strategies, effective presentation skills, and the ability to cross-examine witnesses. They will fight vigorously to defend your rights and interests in the courtroom.
7. Support and Guidance Throughout a Difficult Time:
The legal process can be emotionally draining:
- Understanding and Empathy: The best criminal lawyers in North Carolina not only provide legal representation but also offer emotional support and reassurance throughout the process. They will explain the legal proceedings, answer your questions, and help you navigate the complexities of the legal system with confidence.