Catawba County criminal and family cases are heard at the Catawba County Justice Center, 100 Government Drive in Newton. They are prosecuted by the District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 36, which covers Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties. Catawba runs more recovery courts than most counties its size. Our Charlotte office serves Catawba clients. Call (704) 842-3411.
Catawba County Criminal Defense and Family Lawyers
Charged with a crime or headed to family court in Catawba County?
 Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free. En español: (704) 764-1518.
Tell us about your Catawba County case
Catawba County court quick facts
| Courthouse | Catawba County Justice Center, 100 Government Drive, Newton, NC 28658. Main number (828) 695-6100. |
|---|---|
| Hours | 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday |
| Prosecutor | District Attorney, Prosecutorial District 36 (Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties). Beginning January 1, 2027, Catawba becomes its own Prosecutorial District 19 (G.S. 7A-60). |
| Court districts | Prosecutorial and District Court District 36; Superior Court District 19 |
| Recovery courts | Adult, veterans, family, and youth treatment courts (per the NC Judicial Branch) |
| Family court office | Catawba Family Court Administration, (828) 695-6115 |
| Our serving office | Charlotte office, 5960 Fairview Rd, Suite 438 |
Check your exact court date and courtroom on the eCourts Portal. Courthouse details are from the North Carolina Judicial Branch and were current as of October 2026.
Going to court in Catawba County
Hickory is the largest city in Catawba County, but its cases are not heard in Hickory. Criminal and family matters go to the Justice Center in Newton. Plan for the drive, parking, and security screening, and arrive early for a morning calendar.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch lists Catawba County with an adult treatment court, a veterans treatment court, a family treatment court, and a youth treatment court. For a person whose charge is tied to substance use or mental health, one of these programs can lead to a very different result than a standard plea. We screen for them early.
What happens after an arrest in Catawba County
- Arrest and release. After an arrest by Hickory, Newton, or Conover Police, the Catawba County Sheriff, or the State Highway Patrol, a magistrate sets release conditions. Call us that day if the charge is DWI, because license deadlines start right away.
- First court date. Misdemeanor, DWI, and felony first appearances are set in Catawba County District Court. Check the eCourts Portal for the courtroom.
- Negotiation with District 36. We review the reports, video, and lab work and negotiate with the District 36 prosecutors assigned to your case.
- Trial or Superior Court. Misdemeanors are tried before a District Court judge, with a right to appeal for a jury trial. Felonies move to Superior Court in Newton after indictment.
If you or a family member was just arrested, call (704) 842-3411 now. Have the person’s full name, date of birth, and the charge from the paperwork ready.
Criminal charges we defend in Catawba County
Family law in Catawba County
Catawba County family cases, including divorce, custody, child support, alimony, and equitable distribution, are filed in District Court. Contested custody cases generally go to the state custody mediation program before a judge decides them. Catawba Family Court Administration assigns case coordinators and asks callers to have the file number from the top right corner of their court papers. Equitable distribution claims must be filed before an absolute divorce is granted or they can be lost. Our Raleigh family law team handles Catawba County family cases.
Your Catawba County legal team
Catawba County clients work with our Charlotte office team.
Family law cases here are handled by our Raleigh family law team.
Where to find us
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.
Catawba County FAQs
Where are Hickory criminal cases heard?
Criminal cases from Hickory and the rest of Catawba County are heard at the Catawba County Justice Center, 100 Government Drive in Newton. The District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 36 prosecutes them. Check the eCourts Portal for your courtroom and time, and allow extra time for parking and security screening.
What recovery courts does Catawba County have?
The North Carolina Judicial Branch lists Catawba County with adult, veterans, family, and youth treatment courts. These programs combine treatment with close court supervision for people whose cases involve substance use or mental health. Eligibility is screened by the court team, so raise the option with your lawyer at the start of the case.
Who prosecutes criminal cases in Catawba County?
The District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 36 prosecutes criminal cases in Catawba County. District 36 also covers Burke and Caldwell Counties. Beginning January 1, 2027, Catawba becomes its own Prosecutorial District 19 under G.S. 7A-60, so check which office is handling your case. Your lawyer negotiates with the assistant district attorney assigned to your courtroom about dismissal, reduced charges, deferred prosecution, or a plea, and prepares for trial if no fair offer comes.
Who do I contact about my Catawba County family court case?
Catawba County Family Court Administration coordinates domestic cases. The court lists its family court case coordinator line as (828) 695-6115. Have your file number ready, since it appears in the upper right corner of your court documents. If you have a lawyer, your lawyer usually handles scheduling questions for you.
Can I pay a Catawba County court fine in Hickory?
Yes. Besides the Cashier’s Office at the Catawba County Justice Center in Newton, the clerk has a satellite office at 111 Main Avenue NE, Hickory, NC 28602, where payments can be made in person. By mail, send a money order or certified check payable to the Catawba County Clerk of Superior Court. Cash and personal checks are not accepted by mail.
What court districts cover Catawba County?
According to the North Carolina Judicial Branch, Catawba County is in Prosecutorial District 36, Superior Court District 19, and District Court District 36. Misdemeanors, DWI, and family cases are heard in District Court. Felony trials happen in Superior Court. Both are at the Justice Center, 100 Government Drive in Newton.
How do I find my Catawba County court date?
North Carolina’s eCourts Portal lets you search court dates by name, citation number, or county. The Catawba County Justice Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays if you need to ask the clerk in person.
Nearby counties
We also serve these nearby counties: Iredell County criminal defense, Cleveland County criminal defense, Gaston County criminal defense.
City pages: Hickory.
See every county served by our Charlotte office.
Our nearest office to Catawba County is the Belmont office.
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.