Arrested, charged, or headed to family court? Call or message us tonight, not next week. Our criminal defense and family law attorneys work from offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, Cary, and Belmont.
North Carolina Criminal Defense and Family Law Attorneys
Help when it cannot wait
 Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free. En español: (704) 764-1518.
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Martine Law is a North Carolina criminal defense and family law firm with offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, Cary, and Belmont. We defend criminal charges in 36 counties and handle divorce, custody, and support cases in 60. Criminal: Free consultation with our Director of Client Engagement. Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free.
Former Superior Court judge
Jesse B. Caldwell III, Of Counsel, served 28 years on the North Carolina Superior Court bench. He does not take clients.
Former prosecutors
Cynthia Smith and Karsen Wright began their careers as prosecutors before turning to defense.
Four NC offices
Charlotte, Raleigh, Cary, and Belmont. Criminal defense in 36 counties, family law in 60.
Phones and chat answered 24/7
Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free. En español: (704) 764-1518.
What do you need help with?
Charged with a crime?
If you or someone you love was just arrested, do not talk about the facts with police or on jail phones. Call us. We help with release conditions, DWI license deadlines, and the first court date, then build a defense from the evidence.
Facing divorce or a custody fight?
Separation, custody, and support decisions shape your family for years. We explain North Carolina law in plain terms, help you protect your time with your children and your share of the property, and push for agreement where that serves you.
What happens when you call
- Call or send a message, any time. Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free. We ask a few short questions: what happened, which county, and whether there is a court date.
- Talk with our team. We review your situation, explain the process in your county, and discuss fees plainly. If we are not the right fit, we tell you and point you toward help.
- We get to work. Your attorney contacts the court and the prosecutor or the other side, gathers evidence, and keeps you updated at every step.
Our North Carolina offices
Martine Law, Charlotte office
5960 Fairview Rd, Suite 438
Charlotte, NC 28210
(704) 842-3411Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free.
Martine Law, Raleigh office
8024 Glenwood Ave, Suite 317
Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 925-4613Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free.
Martine Law, Cary office
15000 Weston Pkwy, Suite 114
Cary, NC 27513
(704) 842-3411Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free.
Martine Law, Belmont office
6640 Wilkinson Blvd, Suite 400
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 842-3411Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free.
Criminal defense: free consultation with our Director of Client Engagement. Family law: $50 consultation with our Director of Client Engagement. Full refund if you’re not satisfied, for any reason.
Local court guides
Every county has its own courthouse, prosecutors, and habits. Our local guides cover courthouse addresses, parking, traffic court, and treatment courts for Mecklenburg County, Wake County, Durham County, Gaston County, Cabarrus County, Union County, Johnston County, Guilford County, Iredell County, Cumberland County, Orange County. See the full lists for our Charlotte region and Raleigh region.
Our North Carolina attorneys
Jesse B. Caldwell III
Of Counsel. Former North Carolina Superior Court judge for 28 years and former Gaston County Chief Public Defender. He does not take clients or handle cases.
Cynthia Smith
Criminal defense. Former assistant district attorney in Gaston County. J.D., North Carolina Central University School of Law, 1996.
Common questions
What should I do if a family member was just arrested in North Carolina?
Stay calm and call a lawyer. Do not discuss the facts on jail phones, which are usually recorded. Write down the person’s full name, date of birth, the county, and the charge if you know it. A magistrate sets release conditions, and a lawyer can often help with release and the first court date.
Will I lose my license after a DWI arrest in North Carolina?
Usually, at least briefly. A test result of 0.08 or more, or a refusal, generally triggers a civil license revocation of at least 30 days before your case is decided. Some drivers can apply for a limited driving privilege. A refusal can also bring a separate one-year revocation with a short deadline to request a hearing.
How long do I have to be separated to divorce in North Carolina?
One year. To file for absolute divorce, spouses must live separate and apart for at least one year, and one must have lived in North Carolina for six months before filing. Claims for property division and alimony must be filed before the divorce is granted, or they can be lost.
How do North Carolina judges decide custody?
Judges decide custody based on the best interest of the child. They look at each parent’s involvement, stability, the child’s needs, and safety concerns, including domestic violence. Parents in a contested case are generally sent to custody mediation first. North Carolina law has no automatic preference for mothers or fathers.
Which parts of North Carolina does Martine Law serve?
We handle criminal defense in 36 North Carolina counties and family law in 60, from offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, Cary, and Belmont. Our Charlotte region covers Mecklenburg, Gaston, Union, Cabarrus, Iredell, and the western Piedmont. Our Raleigh region covers Wake, Durham, Johnston, Cumberland, and eastern counties. Alamance, Guilford, and Randolph are served by both teams.
How much does a first consultation with Martine Law cost?
Criminal defense consultations are free and confidential. Family law: $50 consultation with our Director of Client Engagement. Full refund if you’re not satisfied, for any reason.
Can I reach Martine Law at night or on the weekend?
Yes. Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free. Call (704) 842-3411 for Charlotte, Belmont, and Cary, or (919) 925-4613 for Raleigh. Help in Spanish: (704) 764-1518.
What kinds of cases does Martine Law handle?
Criminal defense, including DWI, assault, domestic violence, drug, theft, sex offense, misdemeanor, felony, and probation violation cases, and family law, including divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, property division, and separation agreements.
Do not wait for a court date to get advice. Call (704) 842-3411 in the Charlotte region or (919) 925-4613 in the Raleigh region. Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free.
This page provides general information about North Carolina law and local courts. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Court locations, hours, and procedures change; confirm details with the court or with us. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Attorneys listed on this site are licensed in North Carolina.