Sampson County Criminal Defense and Family Lawyers

Charged with a crime or headed to family court in Sampson County?

Sampson County cases are heard in Clinton, where the Judicial Branch lists three court buildings: the Sampson County Courthouse at 101 East Main Street, the Annex at 119 West Main Street, and the Extension at 201 East Main Street. Cases are prosecuted by the District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 5, which covers Duplin, Jones, Onslow, and Sampson Counties. Our Raleigh office serves Sampson clients. Call (919) 925-4613. Phones and chat answered 24/7.

Call (919) 925-4613

 Phones and chat answered 24/7. En español: (704) 764-1518.

Tell us about your Sampson County case

Sampson County court quick facts

Courthouse Sampson County Courthouse, 101 E Main St, Clinton, NC 28328. Main number (910) 596-6600.
Annex 119 W Main St, Clinton, NC 28328
Extension 201 E Main St, Clinton, NC 28328
Hours 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Prosecutor District Attorney, Prosecutorial District 5 (Duplin, Jones, Onslow, and Sampson Counties)
Court districts Prosecutorial, Superior Court, and District Court District 5
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 Sampson County

With three court buildings on Main Street in Clinton, the first thing to check is which one your case is in. All three share the main number, (910) 596-6600. Your citation, summons, or the eCourts Portal shows the location; if it is unclear, call before the court date rather than walking between buildings while your case is called.

Sampson shares Prosecutorial District 5 with Duplin, Jones, and Onslow Counties; the district attorney’s main office is at the Onslow County Courthouse in Jacksonville. Interstate 40 crosses the county near Newton Grove, and highway stops are a common source of DWI and drug charges.

What happens after an arrest in Sampson County

  1. Arrest and release. After an arrest by Clinton Police, the Sampson 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.
  2. First court date. Misdemeanor, DWI, and felony first appearances are set in Sampson County District Court. Check the eCourts Portal for the courtroom.
  3. Negotiation with District 5. We review the reports, video, and lab work and negotiate with the District 5 prosecutors assigned to your case.
  4. 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 Clinton 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.

Family law in Sampson County

Sampson 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 in agricultural businesses often have land and equipment to value, which makes careful documentation important. Equitable distribution claims must be filed before an absolute divorce is granted or they can be lost.

Your Sampson County legal team

Sampson 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

Get directions

Sampson County FAQs

The Judicial Branch lists three Sampson County court locations in Clinton: the Courthouse at 101 East Main Street, the Annex at 119 West Main Street, and the Extension at 201 East Main Street. Your citation, summons, or the eCourts Portal shows which one. All three use the main number, (910) 596-6600.

The District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 5 prosecutes criminal cases in Sampson County. District 5 covers Duplin, Jones, Onslow, and Sampson Counties. 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 no fair offer comes.

Write down what you remember, keep every paper the officer gave you, and call a lawyer quickly. A DWI arrest usually starts a 30-day civil license revocation under G.S. 20-16.5. A lawyer can ask for the stop video, check the breath test records, and tell you whether a limited driving privilege is possible.

Yes. North Carolina lawyers can appear in any county in the state. Our Raleigh office serves Sampson County clients. 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 Clinton courthouse and the local prosecutors, checks the calendar closely, and is prepared on your court date.

Nearby counties

We also serve these nearby counties: Duplin County, Wayne County, Johnston County, Cumberland 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.