Criminal Defense

Charlotte Criminal Defense Lawyer

Criminal Defense Attorneys Serving Mecklenburg County

Most people leave the magistrate's office with a court date and the sense that nothing happens until then. A first appearance at the courthouse on East Fourth Street often runs for minutes and ends in a continuance. The weeks before it are when body camera footage hits its retention limit, memories soften, and the prosecution's case quietly takes shape.

In other words, the most useful stretch of a case is the one that most defendants spend waiting.

DeCurtins Law Office has defended clients across Charlotte since 1985. We take cases of all types, from impaired driving and drug offenses to theft, assault, and probation violations. In practice, that means requesting the state's evidence, testing how it was gathered, negotiating with the prosecutor, and appearing with you at every court date. Our North McDowell Street office is minutes from the courthouse, and your first consultation is free.

The state started building its file on the day of the arrest. Start building yours today: call a Charlotte criminal defense lawyer at (704) 313-1131 or contact us online today.

What the State Must Prove in a North Carolina Criminal Case

Every charge breaks into elements, and the state has to prove each one beyond a reasonable doubt. That structure is what makes a defense possible, because every element is a separate place to push.

A traffic stop needs reasonable suspicion. A search needs a warrant, consent, or a recognized exception. A breath reading has to come from an analyst holding a valid permit who followed the sequence North Carolina's rules require, starting with the observation period before the first sample.

Breath testing also does not stop at one number. At least two sequential samples are required, and if they differ by more than 0.02, a third follows. The results only count once two consecutive readings agree, and the state is held to the lower of the two.

When one link gives way, the charge resting on it can follow.

That scrutiny depends on knowing how investigations actually unfold, and on getting the recordings that show it. Body camera footage from a CMPD traffic stop is not a public record in North Carolina. Someone whose image or voice appears on a recording can ask the agency to let them watch it, while obtaining an actual copy takes a petition to Superior Court. Defense counsel also has a discovery route through the district attorney, which is frequently faster.

Founder Robert DeCurtins administered 8,000+ polygraph examinations and trained in interrogation methods under Dayton Police Department homicide investigators before he ever practiced law. He has also held a North Carolina polygraph license. That background shapes how we read a report and question the officer who wrote it.

Continue Reading Read Less

Charges We Defend Across Charlotte

Cases filed in Mecklenburg County District and Superior Court span a wide range, and the consequences reach past any fine.

We handle a full range of cases, including but not limited to:

DWI defense. Impaired driving charges and the related alcohol offenses that accompany them are addressed at an NCDMV hearing, so driving privileges are addressed from day one.
Drug crimes. Possession and trafficking cases turn on how officers conducted the search, whether that was an I-85 stop or a warrant served at a home.
Theft crimes. Shoplifting and larceny, embezzlement, robbery, fraud, and burglary all sit here, and the dollar amount of the goods stolen often decides whether a charge stays a misdemeanor.
Assault charges. Allegations of assault with a deadly weapon and separate weapon charges hinge on how the state characterizes both the object and the injury.
Violent crimes. Charges in this category get read against the statute first, because a warrant frequently alleges more than the facts support.
Domestic violence. Kidnapping and stalking allegations and DVPO violations often proceed in two courtrooms at once, and both filings need answering.
Sex crimes. Prostitution and sexual battery charges carry registration and reputational consequences that begin well before any verdict.
Property crimes. Vandalism and arson allegations depend on proof of intent, which is where timelines and physical evidence get tested.
Gun crimes. Federal prosecutors can adopt firearm charges, so exposure gets weighed in both court systems early.
White collar crimes. Financial allegations are often investigated for months before charges are filed, and that window is where the most useful work happens.
Traffic violations. Moving violations and a suspended license bring points, insurance increases, and revocation that outlast any fine.
Probation violations. Alternatives get pursued before a judge reinstates an active sentence.

No two of these charges call for the same defense, but each requires direct attention from the attorney handling it. Clients work directly with our team rather than a support staff. That way, the file gets read closely enough to catch what the state missed.

30+ Years Of Experience

With more than three decades of legal experience, our attorneys have handled tens of thousands of cases. We use that experience to develop thoughtful strategies tailored to each client's unique needs.
Free Case Consultations
Discuss your situation with our team during a free consultation. We will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and help you understand your legal options.
Client-Focused & Results-Oriented
We take the time to understand your unique circumstances and goals, then develop a thoughtful legal strategy focused on pursuing the best possible outcome for your case.
Personalized Legal Solutions
Every client deserves to be treated with care, respect, and honesty. We take time to understand your circumstances and keep you informed throughout your case.

Hear From Those We Represent

See how our team has supported clients through challenging legal circumstances.

“They went above and beyond”
“So thankful I was reference to the DeCurtins law office.”

- Ana
“Highly recommend.”
“Mr. DeCurtins still went above and beyond to make an extra effort to plea with the judge.”

- Tim
“My family and I are delighted with the outcome.”
“He did a phenomenal job of coming up with a plea offer that was unthinkable for the charges.”

- Lakisha
“Great experience!”
“The first time I met Robert I felt very comfortable and had a sense of relief when I left, feeling like I chose the right attorney for my case.”

- Nicole
“THANK YOU!!”
“I really do appreciate you and your staff working with me through this situation I’ve been in.”

- Anonymous
“Best Law Firm In Charlotte!”
This is the best law firm in Charlotte, If you need a good criminal defender, like I did and need a not guilty You better call this firm. they are pitbulls in the court room.

- JARVIS
“The Best Hands Down”
“He was very professional, polite and caring with no judgment, and may I add, AFFORDABLE.”

- Lakiedre
“Excellent & Professional Lawyer”
“Mr. DeCurtins and his staff were very pleasant to speak with, very professional, made sure I understood everything thoroughly, kept me updated on everything, and were very Trustworthy.”

- D. Kimble

View All Reviews

Building a Defense in Charlotte's Court System

Mecklenburg County has a heavy criminal docket, and how a case is positioned early often determines its outcome. Suppression motions, plea negotiations, and trial preparation follow different timelines, and knowing which path fits a file comes from having stood in these courtrooms.

Preparation also means accounting for what happens outside the courtroom. A conviction follows you for years through employment screenings, licensing, immigration, and housing applications. We work toward outcomes that protect you, whether through dismissal, reduction, deferred prosecution, or acquittal, and we tell you honestly which is realistic.

An honest read of your case costs nothing. Contact us online or call (704) 313-1131 to get started with a Charlotte criminal defense lawyer today.

Continue Reading Read Less

Ready to Discuss Your Situation?

Call us at (704) 313-1131 or fill out the form below to get started with a free consultation.

First Name
Please enter your first name.
Last Name
Please enter your last name.
Phone
Please enter your phone number.

This isn't a valid phone number.
Email
Please enter your email address.

This isn't a valid email address.
Are you a new client?
Please make a selection.
How can we help you?
Please enter a message.
By submitting, you agree to receive text messages from DeCurtins Law Office at the number provided, including those related to your inquiry, follow-ups, and review requests, via automated technology. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for assistance. Acceptable Use Policy