Chatham County cases are heard at the Chatham County Courthouse, 40 East Chatham Street in Pittsboro, and at a courtroom in Siler City Town Hall. They are prosecuted by the District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 18, which covers Orange and Chatham Counties. Our Raleigh office serves Chatham clients. Call (919) 925-4613. Phones and chat answered 24/7.
Chatham County Criminal Defense and Family Lawyers
Charged with a crime or headed to family court in Chatham County?
 Phones and chat answered 24/7. En español: (704) 764-1518.
Tell us about your Chatham County case
Chatham County court quick facts
| Main courthouse | Chatham County Courthouse, 40 E Chatham Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312. Main number (919) 545-3500. |
|---|---|
| Siler City courtroom | Siler City Town Hall Courtroom, 311 North Second Avenue, Siler City, NC 27344. (919) 742-5828. |
| Hours | 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday |
| Prosecutor | District Attorney, Prosecutorial District 18 (Orange and Chatham Counties) |
| Court districts | Prosecutorial, Superior Court, and District Court District 18 |
| Recovery courts | Family treatment court and mental health treatment court (per the NC Judicial Branch) |
| Our serving office | Raleigh office, 8024 Glenwood Ave, Suite 317 |
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 Chatham County
Most Chatham cases are heard at the courthouse in Pittsboro, but some calendars are held in the courtroom at Siler City Town Hall. Your paperwork tells you which.
Chatham shares its prosecutors with Orange County, so practice tends to track Hillsborough. The North Carolina Judicial Branch lists Chatham with a mental health treatment court and a family treatment court, which can matter when a charge or a custody case grows out of a mental health or substance use crisis.
What happens after an arrest in Chatham County
- Arrest and release. After an arrest by Siler City or Pittsboro Police, the Chatham 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 Chatham County District Court. Check the eCourts Portal for the courtroom.
- Negotiation with District 18. We review the reports, video, and lab work and negotiate with the District 18 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 Pittsboro after indictment.
If you or a family member was just arrested, call (919) 925-4613 now. Have the person’s full name, date of birth, and the charge from the paperwork ready.
Criminal charges we defend in Chatham County
Family law in Chatham County
Chatham 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. Chatham’s family treatment court can be part of a case where substance use affects parenting. Equitable distribution claims must be filed before an absolute divorce is granted or they can be lost.
Your Chatham County legal team
Chatham County clients work with our Raleigh office team.
Where to find us
Martine Law, Raleigh office
8024 Glenwood Ave, Suite 317
Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 925-4613, phones and chat answered 24/7
Chatham County FAQs
Is my Chatham County case in Pittsboro or Siler City?
Chatham County hears cases at the courthouse at 40 East Chatham Street in Pittsboro and at the Siler City Town Hall courtroom, 311 North Second Avenue. Your citation, summons, or the eCourts Portal lists the location. If your paperwork is unclear, call us before the court date so you go to the right town.
Does Chatham County have a mental health court?
Yes. The North Carolina Judicial Branch lists Chatham County among the counties with a mental health treatment court, and it also lists a family treatment court. These programs pair treatment with close court supervision. Eligibility is screened by the court team, so tell your lawyer about any diagnosis or treatment early.
Who prosecutes criminal cases in Chatham County?
The District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 18 prosecutes criminal cases in Chatham County. District 18 also covers Orange County. Your lawyer negotiates with the assistant district attorney assigned to your courtroom about dismissal, reduced charges, deferred prosecution, or a plea, and prepares the case for trial if needed.
Can a Raleigh office handle my Chatham County case?
Yes. North Carolina lawyers can appear in any county in the state, and Pittsboro is within driving distance of our Raleigh and Cary offices. Many first consultations happen by phone or video. 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. What matters most is that your lawyer knows the Chatham courtrooms and the District 18 prosecutors.
Nearby counties
We also serve these nearby counties: Orange County, Wake County, Durham County, Lee County.
See every county served by our Raleigh 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.