• 919-352-9411
  • info@chetson.com
  • 19 W. Hargett St., Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27601
  • 919-352-9411
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The Chetson Firm:
First Class Criminal Defense

Call or Text (919) 352-9411

Hire an Ivy-League educated, North Carolina Board Certified Specialist.
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Commitment

Premier Raleigh Defense Lawyer

Aggressive, yet Compassionate criminal Defense

When as a political novice Damon Chetson ran for Wake County District Attorney in 2022 against a powerful incumbent and earned nearly 42 percent of the vote, he did so because he believes in the promise of our Criminal Justice System.  Because he’s a champion of people who fight for justice. And because he doesn’t shy away from a tough fight.

As a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Law, Damon Chetson has fought (and won) more trials than some defense lawyers try in a lifetime.  

A graduate of the Ivy-League University of Pennsylvania, Damon Chetson is smart, and tough.  He’s been a SuperLawyer since 2016.  He’s a Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel lawyer.  

In 2019  and 2022 he (with co-counsel) beat back the Death Penalty twice in the last three years.  Another client was declared “Not Guilty” of First Degree Murder by a Jury in November 2021.  He has won Shaken Baby Syndrome cases, beaten federal 924(c) charges, and secured favorable pleas for hundreds of other clients.

Practice Areas
Raleigh Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Federal Criminal Defense

We specialize in federal criminal cases. Damon Chetson has represented clients in all North Carolina federal districts, and in the largest federal prosecution in American history (USA v Addison et al).
Raleigh Drug Lawyer

Drug Possession & Trafficking Lawyer

Whether in state or federal court, we cases involving low level possession cases and massive international drug conspiracies. We use all tools - from suppression motions to treatment programs - to resolve narcotics cases favorably.
What Is Sexual Exploitation of a Minor?

Sex Offense & Pornography Cases

We bring all technical skills to bear in accusations of sex-related offenses: DNA experts, computer forensics, and psychological and psychiatric resources, to name a few.
When Can Domestic Violence Result in Felony Charges?

Domestic Violence

Accusations of violence in a domestic relationship are devastating. We handle these cases with the compassion they deserve. And we work to help repair broken ties where possible, and to defend when necessary.

three steps to success

We Will Help You Every Step Of The Way

Defense in court is only one component of a good defense.  We spend as much time as necessary to ensure our clients leave our care in better shape to live healthy and productive lives.  Mr. Chetson is an effective lawyer, and a good counselor, seeking to help clients better face future challenges.

01

Call for a Free Consultation

Mr. Chetson offers free, confidential advice about your situation.  We can meet in person, by phone, or by Zoom.

02

Hire The Chetson Firm

We make hiring seamless in order focus on the important part: providing you a first class defense.

03

Fight For You in Court

Preparation is the key to success in court.  We work with investigators, experts, doctors, and mental health providers.

In the News

Damon Chetson’s cases have been in the news for years, whether defending his clients or fighting for reforms that would make the criminal justice system fairer.  

Here are some of the clips, with links to original articles where available. Mr. Chetson only speaks to the press where ethically advantageous for his clients.  Or when commenting on general issues.  

See also the profile written about Damon Chetson in The Assembly in 2022.

Chetson's Evolution

In 1991, Damon Chetson, a University of Pennsylvania freshman and Daily Pennsylvanian staff writer, covered the murder of a Penn student that Philadelphia police pinned on 21-year-old Chester Hollman III...
See the Article

Jury: "No" to Death

“This is about whether [he] had a serious mental illness and whether that mental illness contributed to where we are today,” defense attorney Damon Chetson said Friday during closing arguments.
See the Article

WRAL on Wake DA

Incumbent Lorrin Freeman, a Democrat first elected as Wake County District Attorney in 2014, is seeking a third term and faces defense attorney and political newcomer Damon Chetson in the May 17 primary.
See the Article

Spirited Challenge

For the first time since winning election in 2014, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman is facing a challenger in the 2022 Democratic primary: Damon Chetson, a criminal defense attorney who focuses on death penalty cases and high-level felonies in state and federal courts.
See the Article

More News About the Firm

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we assist in any Challenge Or conflict

Whether you face a federal investigation, a grand jury subpoena, or a criminal charge, we are well-positioned to defend you.

Past Successes

How We've Saved Futures

Case Results

When Johnston County charged his client with first degree murder, Mr. Chetson set to work to establish the glaring holes in the case. After a week-long trial in November 2021, involving the vigorous cross-examination of the state’s lead witness, Mr. Chetson was able to secure a complete acquittal to all charges. His client walked free from the courthouse later that day.
Johnston County2019
One of Mr. Chetson’s clients faced first-degree kidnapping and forcible rape charges. Mr. Chetson defended and proved his client’s innocence. All charges have since been dismissed, and these charges have been expunged from the client’s record.
Wake County2018
A client of Mr. Chetson was charged with conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to deliver. This sentence has a ten-year minimum sentence, but Mr. Chetson was able to reduce the sentence to forty months.
Federal Court, EDNC2020
As a violent crime lawyer, Mr. Chetson (and co-counsel) also saved a client from the death penalty. The client had been charged with a triple homicide in Wake County, which was presented in the Wake County Superior Court.
Wake County2019
Mr. Chetson (and co-counsel) secured a 12 year plea deal in a case where prosecutors sought the death penalty over a shooting at a Goldsboro home.
Lee County2022
In 2022, Mr. Chetson achieved a short sentence followed by probation in a child pornography case. A combination and a forensic evaluation of therapy helped reassure the sentencing judge that the client was not a danger to society.
Wake County2022
Mr. Chetson achieved a 24 day sentence followed by post-release supervision in a federal white collar wire, fraud, and identity theft case involving nearly a dozen co-conspirators.
Federal Court, EDNC2021
A client was sentenced to just 6 months in prison in a methamphetamine trafficking case after Mr. Chetson was able to show his client was coerced into assisting in the federal conspiracy.
Federal Court, EDNC2022

You Deserve One Of Raleigh's Top Defense Lawyers

Vast Experience, Compassionate Approach & Aggressive Defense

Call or Text (919) 352-9411

Call or Text (919) 352-9411

We fight for the best possible outcome in every case.  We are honest, aggressive and compassionate. 

Practice Areas

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