Ruffin Criminal Lawyers

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. And because he believes in the promise of the Criminal Justice system and its commitment that all people are innocent until proven guilty. In more that a decade in practice, Damon has defended clients in some of North Carolina's most serious and most notable cases. In 2019, he secured the only win in the federal government's largest prosecution in American history. That same year, he...

Mr. Hayes has been practicing law since 2004. Hi practices primarily in Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Rowan and other nearby counties. He attended UNC Chapel Hill and obtained a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and attended New York Law School for his Juris Doctorate. He practices primarily in criminal defense and car accident personal injury cases.

Born and raised in Kannapolis, North Carolina, Ronnie Crisco is a proud alumnus of A.L. Brown High School. He graduated magna cum laude from Duke University with a degree in Public Policy Studies. In 2002, he received his law degree with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2005. While in law school, Mr. Crisco competed nationally as a member of the UNC Mock Trial Team, assisted indigent clients through the UNC Civil Legal Assistance Clinic, and served as editor on the UNC Journal of Law and Technology.

Mr. Crisco is a Board Certified Specialist in Family...

Mr. Matheson is a former prosecutor who is dedicated to zealously advocating for his clients. He practices exclusively criminal defense, and limits his practice to only Wake County. Attorney Matheson has substantial criminal law experience, not only as a private defense attorney, but also his previous work with the Harnett County District Attorney's Office as an Assistant District Attorney, the A.C.L.U. Capital Punishment Project and the Durham County Public Defender's Office. Recently, Mr. Matheson was asked by the North Carolina Bar Association to serve as the Managing Editor of the N.C. Criminal Law Desk Book. Additionally, he wrote...

Since 1992 I have focused my practice primarily on criminal defense. In 1998, along with Seth Blum, I founded the Raleigh Law Firm of Kurtz & Blum PLLC. At Kurtz & Blum we help people who have been accused of crimes from minor traffic cases and DWIs all the way up through high profile murder trials. On our civil side we help people who have been harmed by the negligence of another such as in car wrecks, nursing home negligence cases and legal malpractice cases. We round out our practice by helping people with family law...

I’m from Salisbury and I’m proud to practice law in my hometown! I am the principal attorney at Stowe Law Firm, PLLC. I focus my practice on traffic violations, criminal law, intellectual property, and expungements. While in law school at North Carolina Central University School of Law, I served as the President of Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society. Within the legal profession, I strive to be a “social engineer” for his community. As stated by Charles Hamilton Houston, “A lawyer is either a social engineer or a parasite on society A social engineer [is] a highly...

2018 Lawyer of the Year DWI (Best Lawyers), A Rated with Martidale-Hubbell Law Directory, 10.0 AVVO Rating, NC Super Lawyers 2018-2020 For Criminal Defense and DWI. (Award criteria at BeaverCourie.com) Senior Partner at Beaver Courie, Attorneys at Law

Divorce is tough. There’s no way around it. Divorce is stressful, intensely emotional, and overwhelming. It is the perfect storm of problems, from determining child custody arrangements, divvying up assets, and untangling previously tangled lives.

There’s where I come in. I’m Dustin McCrary, a divorce lawyer focusing on the needs of divorce and separation, child custody, child support, alimony and spousal support, property distribution, and domestic violence. And I’m here to help.

My clients would tell you that I have the natural ability to put them at ease. I have a calming presence and genuinely care about every person I meet. I’m...

Taylor McCallman joined Beaver Courie in 2019 after having served the firm as a student clerk during the summers of his law school career. Since joining the firm as an associate, Taylor has worked on a multitude of cases in both District and Superior Courts. In his practice of law, Taylor has demonstrated a desire to satisfy and surpass all of his client’s expectations as well as a dedication to achieving the best possible result in every case. He has experience handling difficult and time consuming cases and is well equipped to guide his clients through the most trying of...

Mark Hearp became associated with the Beaver Courie Law Firm on November 10, 2003. In 2008, Mark became a partner with the firm. His practice covers all stages and levels of criminal representation including traffic, speeding tickets, misdemeanor, felony, driving while impaired offenses and federal charges. Prior to joining the firm, Mark served as an Assistant District Attorney for over two years in Cumberland County, North Carolina. While at that position, Mr. Hearp tried hundreds of driving while impaired offenses and other traffic offenses. He was also responsible for the prosecution of hundreds of major felony cases. These felonies included drug...

Cristina Quantock joined Beaver Courie Law Firm in 2012. Prior to working in private practice she served as a prosecutor in Hoke County. Since joining the firm, Cristina has worked on hundreds of cases in both District and Superior Courts. During her 10 years of practicing law, Cristina has exemplified an attention to detail and a dedication to achieving the best possible results for her clients. She has experience in handling difficult cases and knows how to help clients through challenging times.

Cristina’s practice covers all areas of family law including absolute divorce, child custody, alimony and equitable distribution. Cristina also...

My firm, which is approaching its 10th year in practice, focuses on criminal defense and DWI defense in the Raleigh area. I have been named to the Legal Elite by Business NC Magazine, as well as a SuperLawyers Rising Star for the 5th year in a row.

If you want top-notch representation at an affordable price, you have found the right firm. I have successfully represented over four thousand clients with charges including Speeding, Reckless Driving, Driving While Impaired, Drug Trafficking and Distribution, Felony Assault, Felony Larceny, and Felony Death by Motor Vehicle.

I also focus on driver's license restoration. I help...

John Fanney is an experienced, successful criminal trial lawyer with a small, personal attention practice in Raleigh, North Carolina. John focuses his practice on DWI, felony, misdemeanor and traffic offenses. John has 25 years of trial experience representing individuals charged with criminal offenses in Wake County and other parts of North Carolina. He has tried over 20 criminal jury trials and literally hundreds of trials before district court judges. John is Board Certified as a Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Defense by the North Carolina State Bar. John has been twice selected by U.S....

Brian Demidovich is the Managing Member of The Law Corner. In 2001, Brian moved to Raleigh, North Carolina after he graduated from Cleveland Marshall College of Law in Cleveland, Ohio. After spending the first five years in corporate law and as a partner in a litigation law firm, Brian created The Law Corner in 2006. The Law Corner was created with one simple, but important, core principal: customer service. Brian firmly believes the legal profession IS a service industry. That is why since 2006, Brian has offered an initial $99.00 consultation and established...

James is a Wake County criminal defense attorney with extensive experience defending against driving while impaired charges, traffic violations, probation violations, drug offenses, and a wide variety of felony and misdemeanor allegations. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University and North Carolina Central University School of Law. While in law school, James served as President of the Student Bar Association and was a Senior Board Member of the Moot Court Board. In 2007, he was awarded the Floyd B. McKissick Award for Leadership and Scholarship at the school. He graduated from law school cum laude.

James has practiced in...

Amily (she/her/hers) is an attorney with 20 years of experience working in the anti-domestic violence field. She assists domestic and sexual violence victims by representing them in protective orders and Title IX hearings, defending them in criminal cases so that a criminal record does not act as a barrier to escaping an abusive partner.

Amily also focuses her practice on representing non-predominant aggressors in criminal defense cases as a primary prevention strategy to help foster economic stability- one of the greatest protective factors for living violence free. She represents those charged with everything from misdemeanor and felony drug offenses, to...

Lawrence founded Tickle Law Office in 2013 after graduating from Campbell University School of Law and passing the North Carolina State Bar. Lawrence earned his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from East Carolina University in 2010 as well as his Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Public Administration from Liberty University in 2015. Lawrence served in the United States Marine Corps after high school where he learned the essential leadership and management skills necessary to be successful as a zealous advocate for his clients. A native of Reidsville, NC, Lawrence now calls Franklin County home. He prides himself...

I finished law school in 2005 and immediately opened my own firm in Raleigh, North Carolina. I began my practice taking criminal cases in North Carolina state courts, with matters ranging from simple speeding tickets up to high level felonies. My practice has been a success because I care deeply for my clients, I consistently get them fantastic results, and I create fee structures that people can actually afford. Over my career, I have taught several seminars to other attorneys on how to properly defend criminal and traffic cases, with a significant emphasis on teaching defense of...

A Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist, Tom Manning brings 33+ years of experience to focused and determined criminal defense representation of clients charged with serious offenses in North Carolina state and federal courts. Manning has tried to verdict more than 200 cases, including first degree murder, drug trafficking conspiracies, federal money laundering and drug conspiracies, political corruption cases, bank and wire frauds, criminal environmental violations and attempted murder, kidnapping, sexual assaults and child sexual abuse cases.

A self-described 'nerd,' Matt is well-versed in economics, physics, chemistry, engineering, construction, technology, medicine, and more. Once a student with near perfect SAT and LSAT exam scores, Matt double-majored in economics and philosophy at The College of William & Mary, later becoming an economics scholar in Germany while obtaining his J.D. at the George Mason University School of Law. As an attorney, Matt has harnessed his love of learning into an exceptional ability to master each intricacy of his complex cases, and to easily go toe-to-toe with every expert witness he encounters.

These unique talents have served Matt's clients very...

2020 will be the 14th year that I have practiced law exclusively in criminal defense. My legal career began as a deputy public defender in Los Angeles County where I received extensive training and experience. During my tenure as a public defender, I tried approximately 18 jury trials and more than 50 juvenile cases ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies and strikes, including one murder case in the juvenile system. Now in private practice in North Carolina, I maintain the original passion and dedication to my clients that drew me to this work while still in law...

Joel C. Harbinson attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated in 1977 with an A.B. degree and from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law in 1979 with a J.D. degree. He has been self-employed since 1979 as a criminal, domestic, and personal injury attorney in Taylorsville. In addition, Joel is a certified mediator in Superior Court cases, receiving accreditation from the N.C. Dispute Resolution Commission in 1998, and is a certified arbitrator in District Court cases. Joel is the former President of the 22nd Judicial District Bar Association (1987-1988, 1999-2000) and a...

Mr. Olsinski went to law school with one focus, to become a criminal defense attorney. Upon graduation and moving down to Charlotte North Carolina, he spoke with other attorneys in the area and decided to open his own practice. He opened the firm in January 2010 and has been growing his experience and the firm throughout the years. Mr. Olsinski has successfully defended cases from B1 Felony First Degree Sex Offenses all the way down to Misdemeanor marijuana charges. He has been named a Top 40 under 40 Attorneys in North Carolina by the National Trial Lawyers as well as...

Kimberly Olsinski received her Bachelor of Arts, with honors, in History and Sociology from the College of William and Mary, where she completed her degree in three years. She attended Hofstra University School of Law, where she graduated in the top fourteen percent of her class. At Hofstra, she participated in the Law Reform clinic, and was an editor of the Labor and Employment Law Journal. Mrs. Olsinski has completed a ten-day intensive seminar emphasizing effective trial advocacy techniques.

While in law school, Mrs. Olsinski worked for the legal department of a big insurance company. Upon graduating, she switched sides and...

Heather Fox is a highly skilled and dedicated criminal defense attorney based in the heart of Iredell County, North Carolina. With a passion for justice and a commitment to defending the rights of individuals facing legal challenges, Heather has earned a reputation as a tenacious advocate both inside and outside the courtroom. For Heather, every case is an opportunity to make a difference, protect rights, and seek justice. Heather was born and raised in Statesville, North Carolina. She is a double graduate from Liberty University, having completed her Bachelor’s degree in English in 2016 and her Juris Doctor in 2020. After...

Originally from Poughkeepsie, NY, Tom now calls Charlotte, NC home with his wife and four kids. A seasoned criminal defense and family law trial attorney, Tom has made a name for himself in handling extremely contentious custody cases and high-level felonies. He has handled cases in both federal and state courts. Tom went to law school at Liberty University School of Law in Lynchburg, VA, where he graduated cum laude. While in school Tom interned at the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Virginia. While at the USAO, Tom helped prosecute all levels of criminal cases, from misdemeanor...

Mr. Privette has developed a diversified law practice and is capable of handling your legal needs. He is experienced in business and civil litigation, advising clients with respect to establishing business corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships as well as buying or selling a business, assisting clients with employment issues such as wrongful denial of benefits (unemployment, disability, or workers compensation), discrimination and sexual harassment. Mr. Privette represents individuals who have suffered the effects of personal or workplace injuries and represents clients zealously to ensure that they attain the compensation they deserve. He offers clients real estate services including but not...

David Coolidge is a skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney at Coolidge Law Firm, based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Coolidge is dedicated to defending the rights of clients throughout the area who have been charged with crimes, including DWI, drug charges, sex crimes, domestic violence and a variety of felony and misdemeanor charges. Coolidge graduated in the top 5 percent of his class from the Duke University School of Law, which is one of the top law schools in the country. There he received top-notch training both inside the classroom and in the field as a student. ...

For all your Family Law and Criminal Defense needs, Call Jonathan! - (704) 873-5500

Since earning his law degree with honors in 2001, Statesville, North Carolina, attorney Jonathan D. Griffin has dedicated his professional energies to advocating vigorously for clients in Iredell County and the surrounding area. Today, our extremely active, thriving practice at Griffin Law, PLLC, is focused on divorce, child custody, criminal defense, DWI, and traffic law.

Sean is licensed to practice state courts in North Carolina and Washington State (currently on inactive status), and in the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Eastern District of North Carolina, and Western District of Washington Federal Courts.

A graduate of Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon, Cecil represented the law school in a national moot court competition at UCLA in 2005 after placing first in the intra-school competition. After law school, Sean's first job was as a public defender, there he realized a lifelong passion for helping the underprivileged and questioning authority. Attorney Cecil has been lead...

Wade Smith has been one of North Carolina’s best known and most acclaimed lawyers for nearly 50 years. His trials are recounted in books, magazines and journals. A renowned story teller, Wade insists that within each case there is a compelling story waiting to be told. In seminars and bar meetings Wade has shared the art of story telling. His cases offer a fine collection of North Carolina Courtroom lore. In 1979, Wade served as counsel to Dr. Jeffrey McDonald in the much studied and discussed Green Beret Murder case. Most recently he was lead counsel for Collin Finnerty, one...

Upon graduation from law school in 1980, Doug Kingsbery joined the firm of Tharrington, Smith & Hargrove in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he worked as an associate in the areas of education law and criminal defense. He was made Partner in 1985, and has developed an extensive litigation and trial practice which includes trial and appellate work in civil, criminal and administrative law. Over the past 28 years, he has tried dozens of civil and criminal jury trials in numerous state and federal courts across North Carolina and he has received an AV rating from his peers as reported in...

Hello! My name is Bradley Trexler. Before graduating from Campbell Law School and pursuing a career in criminal law, I received my bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before joining Matheson & Associates, I worked as an Assistant District Attorney for the Wake County DA’s Office. During my time there, I handled thousands of cases ranging from traffic tickets, to assaults, to DWIs, and anything in-between. I also spent time previous to that working in private criminal defense. A Wake County native born and raised, I strive to use my legal knowledge to give back to...

Ryan is a Raleigh native and Enloe High School alumnus. He got his BA from NC State University and his JD from UNC. After law school Ryan worked for two years as a prosecutor in the Wake County District Attorney's Office. While working in the DA's office Ryan prosecuted hundreds of cases, particularly DWI/DUI cases. Ryan went to work at the Wake County criminal defense firm of Manning & Crouch in 2006. He left that law firm in 2010 to start his own firm. Ryan focuses his practice on criminal defense and DWI/DUI defense.

Ana S. Nuñez practices in both our Criminal Defense and our Immigration practice areas. She was recruited from the Public Defender’s office in Wake County. Being an immigrant herself, she understands the importance of having an advocate in your corner when you need it the most. Fluent in Spanish, Ana serves on the Governor’s advisory council on Hispanic/Latino affairs, she has been named a Top 40 Under 40 Attorney by the National Trial Lawyers, and she was recognized with the Citizen Lawyer Award by the NC Bar Association for exemplary public service to her community. She is a graduate of...

Karina Herhusky is a dedicated professional who strives to provide the best legal representation for her clients. She believes that empathizing with clients is the key to successful representation. Karina understands the importance of keeping clients informed throughout every step of the process.

An immigrant herself, Karina understands a client’s perspective, including the challenges they face to legalize their status and other issues that may have an impact on their legal status. As a wife and mother, Karina empathizes with families who may be facing the threat of separation due to their immigration status. She fiercely advocates on behalf of...

Weede Law, PLLC is a criminal defense law practice that handles all types of state and federal criminal cases. We serve the Triangle area as well as surrounding communities.

Attorney Patrick B. Weede, a former state and federal prosecutor and an experienced trial attorney, is uniquely qualified to handle your case. He knows how to identify the key issues and how to think like a prosecutor.

As a prosecutor, Mr. Weede handled almost every type of case, including traffic, DWI, drugs, fraud, property crimes, firearm offenses, common law/armed robbery, and murder. In addition, he...

Charles “Charlie” Gray spent his entire life in Wendell, North Carolina. A lifelong Wolfpack fan, Charlie attended N.C. State University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a Minor in Biological Sciences. Charlie then made his way to Campbell University where he received his law degree (JD) and, simultaneously, received a Master of Laws (LLM) from Nottingham Law School in the United Kingdom. While in law school, Charlie developed a passion for representing the criminally accused and being in the courtroom. Charlie’s enthusiasm for criminal defense stems from a desire to guide others through the complex criminal justice...

Our nationally recognized Raleigh law firm focuses on criminal defense, family law, and professional license defense. A small firm mentality allows us to provide personalized attention to each matter. Our philosophy of tireless devotion to our clients and uncompromising honesty has earned us the reputation as one of the go-to firms in the State. We counsel our clients through all aspects of the case, providing the individual attention necessary to achieve justice and return peace to your life.

Valerie grew up in Alabama and obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. During her undergraduate studies, Valerie became interested in the study and practice of law. She went on to attend the Charlotte School of Law, where she served as the president of the Trial Advocacy Board and had the opportunity to try cases in front of attorneys and judges across the country. Valerie has furthered her experience in the practice of law through her work with the nationally recognized Cochran Firm; and she has gained perspective from the bench by clerking...