Cleveland County cases are heard at the Cleveland County Courthouse, 100 Justice Place in Shelby, and prosecuted by the District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 39, which covers Cleveland and Lincoln Counties. Our Belmont office in neighboring Gaston County serves Cleveland clients. Call (704) 842-3411. Phones and chat answered 24/7.
Cleveland County Criminal Defense and Family Lawyers
Charged with a crime or headed to family court in Cleveland County?
 Phones and chat answered 24/7. En español: (704) 764-1518.
Tell us about your Cleveland County case
Cleveland County court quick facts
| Courthouse | Cleveland County Courthouse, 100 Justice Place, Shelby, NC 28150. Main number (704) 476-7800. |
|---|---|
| Hours | 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday |
| Prosecutor | District Attorney, Prosecutorial District 39 (Cleveland and Lincoln Counties) |
| Court districts | Prosecutorial, Superior Court, and District Court District 39 |
| Court administration | Shared with Lincoln County through the District 39 Trial Court Administrator |
| Our serving office | Belmont office, 6640 Wilkinson Blvd, Suite 400 |
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 Cleveland County
Cleveland and Lincoln Counties share a prosecutorial district and a trial court administrator’s office, so the same prosecutors and court staff often work both counties. Local practice in Shelby tends to track Lincolnton, and experience in one courthouse carries over to the other.
Kings Mountain sits on the Cleveland and Gaston line and close to the South Carolina border. Where the arrest happened decides the county. A stop on the Gaston side goes to Gastonia, and an out-of-state charge is a separate case altogether. Check your paperwork before assuming.
What happens after an arrest in Cleveland County
- Arrest and release. After an arrest by Shelby, Kings Mountain, or Boiling Springs Police, the Cleveland 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 Cleveland County District Court. Check the eCourts Portal for the courtroom.
- Negotiation with District 39. We review the reports, video, and lab work and negotiate with the District 39 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 Shelby 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 Cleveland County
Family law in Cleveland County
Cleveland 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. Families near the South Carolina line should raise interstate custody questions early, since which state hears a custody case first can matter. Equitable distribution claims must be filed before an absolute divorce is granted or they can be lost. Our Raleigh family law team handles Cleveland County family cases.
Your Cleveland County legal team
Cleveland County clients work with our Belmont office team.
Family law cases here are handled by our Raleigh family law team.
Where to find us
Martine Law, Belmont office
6640 Wilkinson Blvd, Suite 400
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 842-3411, phones and chat answered 24/7
Cleveland County FAQs
Where is my Cleveland County case heard?
Cleveland County cases are heard at the Cleveland County Courthouse, 100 Justice Place in Shelby. The District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 39 prosecutes them. Misdemeanor and DWI cases start in District Court, and felonies move to Superior Court after indictment. Check the eCourts Portal for your courtroom and time.
Is a Kings Mountain arrest handled in Cleveland or Gaston County?
It depends on where the arrest happened. Kings Mountain lies mostly in Cleveland County but extends into Gaston County. Cleveland-side cases go to the courthouse in Shelby, and Gaston-side cases go to Gastonia. Your citation or the eCourts Portal shows the county, and we handle cases in both.
Who prosecutes criminal cases in Cleveland County?
The District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 39 prosecutes criminal cases in Cleveland County. District 39 also covers Lincoln County. Your lawyer negotiates with the assistant district attorney assigned to your courtroom about dismissal, reduction, deferred prosecution, or a plea, and prepares the case for trial if needed.
Can a Gaston County office handle my Cleveland County case?
Yes. North Carolina lawyers can appear in any county in the state, and Shelby is a drive west of our Belmont office. 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 Shelby courthouse and the District 39 prosecutors and is prepared on your court date.
Nearby counties
We also serve these nearby counties: Gaston County, Lincoln County (family law only), Catawba County, Mecklenburg County.
See every county served by our 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.