Raleigh Criminal Defense Lawyer

Our skilled Raleigh criminal defense attorneys and support staff at Marcilliat & Mills PLLC provide each of our clients with a customized legal strategy that meets their unique needs, whether this is their first offense or if they have a criminal history that may potentially lengthen the consequences of their case.

Our criminal defense law firm in Wake and Durham Counties has handled over 5,000 cases with uncompromising precision in just over a decade, producing significant results in difficult cases for clients throughout North Carolina to ensure their criminal charges do not define their futures.

Our talented team of Raleigh defense attorneys has established itself as an authoritative presence inside and outside both state and federal courtrooms, reputably producing real results for our clients through case dismissals, reduced charges, and other recognizably favorable outcomes.

How can we help you create a criminal defense strategy that protects your freedom in Raleigh?

Why Clients Hire Marcilliat & Mills for Criminal Defense in Raleigh

At Marcilliat & Mills PLLC, our Raleigh criminal defense lawyers provide each of our clients with a straightforward assessment of their legal position, so they can make informed decisions about the direction of their case while we build a defense strategy to pursue the best outcome for their unique circumstances.

Our defense attorneys in Raleigh have over 110 combined years of experience representing clients in the following practice areas:

If you have been charged with a state or federal crime in North Carolina, contact our influential criminal defense attorneys in Raleigh to learn how we can help make a difference in your case, so you can take your life back.

What Happens After an Arrest in North Carolina?

Getting arrested is overwhelming for the defendant as well as their family. Understanding what happens next and what steps you need to take can help ease some of the stress as you navigate this process. 

Booking and Processing

Once you’re arrested, police officers will take you to the jail for booking. Here, they will fingerprint you, take your mugshot, and record the charges against you. You may be permitted to make a phone call. 

Appearance Before a Magistrate

You will usually go before a magistrate within 24 hours. They will look at the facts of the case and your personal circumstances and decide if and how you will be released pending the trial. This release might come as a written promise to appear in court, an unsecured bond (no money up front), a secured bond (money must be posted), or a decision to hold you in jail until another hearing takes place. 

Initial Court Appearance

You will then have your first court appearance, which is either called a first appearance of an advisement. At this hearing, the judge explains your charges, discusses whether you have or need an attorney, and sets your next court date. 

The Importance of Appearing in Court

It’s extremely important that you show up to all your scheduled court dates. Failing to appear can result in further consequences, like an arrest warrant being issued. You could be taken back into custody until your case is resolved if you fail to show up for court.  

If you’ve been arrested, contacting an attorney as soon as possible helps make sure your rights are protected from the beginning.

Sex Crime Defense Throughout North Carolina

At Marcilliat & Mills PLLC, our Raleigh criminal defense lawyers place a significant concentration on sex crimes defense strategies in Raleigh, because we know what these changes mean to the accused and their futures.

Sex crimes allegations can change a person’s life, even when there is no evidence to back up the claim, which is why we prioritize the facts of these important cases to develop effective defense strategies that produce results.

Our criminal lawyers in Raleigh have defended some of the most difficult sex crimes cases imaginable and we are prepared to counter the District Attorney’s Office each step of the way no matter the circumstances of the case.

Contact our sex crimes attorneys in Wake and Durham Counties today to learn more about the innovative defense strategies we implement for each of our client’s unique and important cases.

Title IX Defense for Students and Faculty

Have you been accused of campus-related sexual misconduct?

These allegations even without any substantial proof can lead to students being expelled, instructors losing their professional licenses, and staff members losing the careers they have worked so hard to build.

We represent clients attending and working at colleges in Raleigh, including:

Our Title IX defense attorneys in Raleigh handle these sensitive matters with discretion while providing a strong and strategic defense that gives our clients confidence.

Defense Against Murder Charges in Raleigh

When someone is charged with murder in Raleigh, there is typically more to the charges than the loss of life. To be sure, there are very few changes as complex as murder, homicide, or manslaughter, but the one thing they have in common is that they require a skilled defense lawyer in Raleigh to outline the evidence and options the accused has inside and outside the courtroom.

Recent Raleigh crime data shows an aggressive 100% arrest rate for all Raleigh homicides reported in the city during 2024. When law enforcement is dedicated to closing every case, you need an experienced Raleigh criminal attorney who is equally dedicated to protecting your future.

Our homicide and murder defense attorneys in Raleigh have delivered not guilty verdicts and multiple dismissals on charges of first-degree murder in the past and strive to make a difference in each of our client’s lives by creating unique defense strategies that give them another chance.

Gun Crime Defense

Although North Carolina’s gun laws are progressive, nearly all weapon offenses are classified as felonies that result in at least one year of jail time, and depending on the circumstances, extend to a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 15 years to life.

At Marcilliat & Mills PLLC, we are a preferred defense law firm for the United States Concealed Carry Association and believe that being charged with a gun crime does not mean you are guilty of a gun crime.

You have rights, and our Raleigh criminal defense lawyers are here to protect them.

Defense Against Federal Criminal Charges in Raleigh

At Marcilliat & Mills PLLC, our federal criminal defense attorneys have represented clients in every federal courtroom in Raleigh, NC.

Our skilled federal crimes attorneys in Raleigh understand each step of the federal legal process, whether our clients are facing federal drug charges, kidnapping, gun crimes, internet sex crimes, mail and wire fraud, tax fraud, or Medicaid and Medicare fraud.

Once your case moves into the next level of federal courtrooms, you will need a skilled and experienced Raleigh criminal attorney by your side who has produced real results for previous clients, so no detail of your case is left to chance.

We are a North Carolina criminal defense law firm that is equipped to handle federal charges anywhere in the state.

How a Raleigh Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Protect Your Rights

Being arrested isn’t something anyone wants to go through. Fortunately, you never have to handle this situation on your own. A criminal defense lawyer in Raleigh can help you in several ways. 

Guiding You Through Police Questioning

The police will inevitably try to question you. Their goal is to get as much information about the alleged crime you committed, and they often engage in confusing tactics to do this. Your lawyer can and should be with you for all questioning and will try to make sure you don’t say anything that could be used against you to harm your defense. 

Investigating the Charges

Your lawyer will investigate the case and try to get as much information as possible about what really happened. Their goal is to obtain evidence they can use to build a strong defense for your case. They’ll also look into law enforcement behavior and see if anything was unlawful, which could lead to a motion to suppress certain evidence or statements. 

Representing You in Court

Your attorney will represent you at all court hearings, from the first one all the way to trial if it gets to that point. You never have to worry about what to say or not say to the judge; your legal team will be beside you every step of the way.  

Negotiating With Prosecutors

Many cases are resolved through negotiation or plea agreements rather than by a trial. A skilled attorney knows how to negotiate the best possible terms, or argue for dismissal if the evidence is weak or procedures weren’t followed.  

A Raleigh criminal defense attorney helps you understand each part of the criminal process and increases the chance for a fair resolution.

Contact a Raleigh Criminal Defense Attorney Today

If you are being investigated, accused of, or charged with a crime in North Carolina, do not leave your future to chance by discussing your case with the investigator or prosecutor’s office without an accomplished Raleigh criminal defense lawyer by your side.

Contact our skilled defense lawyer in Raleigh at Marcilliat & Mills PLLC today by calling (919) 838-6643 or online to schedule a free consultation to learn how we can empower you to take a stand and pursue real results, as we have established for our previous clients.

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