If you were arrested or cited anywhere in Mecklenburg County, your case will almost certainly be heard at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse at 832 East Fourth Street in uptown Charlotte and prosecuted by the District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 26. Our Charlotte office on Fairview Road handles criminal and family matters for Mecklenburg residents. Call (704) 842-3411.
Mecklenburg County Criminal Defense and Family Lawyers
Charged with a crime or headed to family court in Mecklenburg 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 Mecklenburg County case
QUICK ANSWER
Mecklenburg County cases are heard at the courthouse at 832 East Fourth Street in uptown Charlotte. Our Charlotte office on Fairview Road handles criminal and family matters for Mecklenburg residents. Call (704) 842-3411. Criminal: Free consultation with our Director of Client Engagement. Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free.
Mecklenburg County court quick facts
| Main courthouse | Mecklenburg County Courthouse, 832 East Fourth St, Charlotte, NC 28202. Main number (704) 686-0400. |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Superior Court hours | 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday |
| Prosecutor | District Attorney, Prosecutorial District 26, 700 E. Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202 |
| Court districts | Prosecutorial, Superior Court, and District Court District 26 |
| Recovery courts | DWI, adult, and mental health treatment courts (per the NC Judicial Branch) |
| Family cases | Handled through Mecklenburg Family Court Administration at the same courthouse |
| Court dates and records | eCourts Portal, linked from nccourts.gov |
| Our nearest 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 Mecklenburg County
Most people walk into the Mecklenburg County Courthouse through the McDowell Street entrance. The court system recommends the 4th Street Parking Deck at 4th and McDowell Streets, which charges $1.00 per half hour or $12.00 for the day. The court does not validate parking. Every visitor goes through a security checkpoint, and you will be asked to remove metal items, including belts. Plan on extra time, especially for a morning calendar.
Mecklenburg is one of the few North Carolina counties with a DWI treatment court, and it also runs adult and mental health treatment courts. These programs are built for people with repeat offenses who are struggling with substance use. They are not right for every case, but when they fit, they can change the outcome. We review eligibility early so the option is not missed.
Court records filed since October 9, 2023 are on the statewide eCourts Portal. Older Mecklenburg criminal files can be requested from the Clerk’s criminal division by email, which matters if we need an old judgment to fight a prior-conviction allegation in a DWI or habitual felon case.
What happens after an arrest in Mecklenburg County
- Arrest and the magistrate. After an arrest by CMPD, the Sheriff, or the State Highway Patrol, a magistrate sets release conditions. A call to us that night lets us start on release and on any DWI license deadlines.
- First appearance. Felony charges get a first appearance in District Court. Misdemeanor and DWI cases are set on a District Court calendar in the uptown courthouse.
- Discovery and negotiation. We gather the evidence, test the stop and search, and negotiate with the District 26 prosecutors assigned to your courtroom.
- Trial or resolution. Misdemeanors are tried by a judge in District Court, with a right to appeal to Superior Court for a jury trial. Felonies move to Superior Court 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 Mecklenburg County
Family law in Mecklenburg County
Mecklenburg family cases, including custody, child support, alimony, and equitable distribution, are filed in District Court and managed through Family Court Administration at 832 East Fourth Street. Before a judge decides a contested custody dispute, parents are generally sent to the state custody mediation program. The 26th Judicial District also runs a SelfServe Center, but if your children, your home, or your retirement are at stake, talk to a lawyer before you file. Our Raleigh family law team handles Mecklenburg County family cases.
Your Mecklenburg County legal team
Mecklenburg 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.
Mecklenburg County FAQs
Where is my Mecklenburg County criminal case heard?
Almost all Mecklenburg criminal cases are heard at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, 832 East Fourth Street in uptown Charlotte. DWI and misdemeanor cases start in District Court. Felonies begin in District Court and move to Superior Court after indictment. The District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 26 prosecutes them. You can check your court date on the eCourts Portal.
Where should I park for court in Charlotte?
The court system points visitors to the 4th Street Parking Deck at 4th and McDowell Streets. It costs $1.00 per half hour or $12.00 for the day, and the court does not validate. Cross McDowell Street and enter the courthouse on McDowell. Allow time for security, where you must remove belts and other metal.
Does Mecklenburg County have a DWI treatment court?
Yes. According to the North Carolina Judicial Branch, Mecklenburg County operates a DWI treatment court, an adult treatment court, and a mental health treatment court. These programs serve high-risk, high-need participants, often with repeat offenses and substance use problems. Admission depends on the charge, your record, and a screening process, so ask your lawyer early whether it fits your case.
Do parents have to go to mediation before a Mecklenburg custody hearing?
Usually, yes. North Carolina law sends parents in a contested custody case to the state custody mediation program before a judge hears it. A judge can waive mediation for good cause, such as domestic violence. If mediation produces an agreement, it can become a court order. If it does not, the case goes to a judge.
How do I get older Mecklenburg County court records?
Mecklenburg County moved to Portal, the eCourts system, on October 9, 2023. Case information, court dates, and documents filed since then are on Portal. The clerk says documents filed before October 9, 2023 that cannot be found on Portal can be requested electronically by email to the clerk division that holds them. Records can also be viewed at the courthouse, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays.
What court districts cover Mecklenburg County?
Mecklenburg County is its own district at each level of the court system: Prosecutorial District 26, Superior Court District 26, and District Court District 26, according to the North Carolina Judicial Branch. Misdemeanors, DWI, and family cases are heard in District Court. Felony trials happen in Superior Court.
How do I check a Mecklenburg County court date?
North Carolina’s eCourts Portal lets you search court dates by name, citation number, or county. Have your full name or citation number ready. Check again the week before court, because cases are often continued and dates can change. If you have a lawyer, your lawyer also tracks the date for you.
Nearby counties
We also serve these nearby counties: Gaston County criminal defense, Cabarrus County criminal defense, Union County criminal defense, Iredell County criminal defense.
See every county served by our Charlotte 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.