State & Federal Criminal Lawyer

North Carolina Bar, Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Defense

Call or Text (919) 352-9411 for a Free Consultation

Battle Hardened, Trial Tough

Learning that you or someone you love has been charged with a criminal offense is the scariest experience a person can face. Criminal allegations can result in the loss of freedom, shame and stigma in your community, and devastating consequences to your family, your friends, and your ability to earn a living.

With more than 10 years of experience in some of North Carolina’s most serious and notorious cases, we have a proven track-record of securing outstanding results for our clients.

In 2019 alone, Damon Chetson tried four jury trials, more trials than some criminal defense attorneys try in a lifetime. In each jury trial, he secured victories. Mr. Chetson saved one client from the death penalty in a Wake Forest triple homicide in Wake County Superior Court (profiled in The Washington Post) and avoided a firearms conviction in a federal trial in the Eastern District of North Carolina for a client who would have received 10 years in prison. Mr. Chetson avoided a first degree murder conviction in the 2014 shooting death at Club Bodi in Raleigh’s warehouse district (WRAL).

In other recent cases, Mr. Chetson secured a rare “no contest” plea in another high-profile case involving a Mayor’s son who faced dozens of charges of child pornography; the client was sentenced to probation.

Also in 2019, Mr. Chetson won release on probation of his client originally charged with first degree murder (WRAL TV) when a Superior Court Judge granted Mr. Chetson’s request for “extraordinary mitigation,” the first time that judge handed down such a judgment in the judge’s 15 year judicial career. Another Chetson Firm client – originally facing a 10 year mandatory minimum – received a 40 month sentence in the Eastern District of North Carolina after pleading guilty to trafficking in more than 10 pounds of methamphetamine from Texas when a federal judge granted Mr. Chetson’s request for a “safety valve” reduction under 18 USC 3553(f).

And Mr. Chetson won dismissal of all charges and the release of a client accused of First Degree Kidnapping and Forcible Rape after a bond hearing in which Mr. Chetson and his investigator were able to show the Court that Raleigh police detectives had arrested an innocent person. The case has been expunged.

Whether you face a federal indictment, felony warrants in North Carolina state court, a misdemeanor citation, or an investigation by your employer, your university, or the local police, we have extensive experience in all aspects of the criminal process – from Grand Jury investigations, to pre-arrest inquiries from detectives, licensing boards, or audits by the IRS, North Carolina Department of Revenue.

As a trained pilot, Mr. Chetson has even represented clients facing regulatory review by the FAA. He represents people before licensing boards, USOC SafeSport tribunals, and in Title IX hearings.

Mr. Chetson, his paralegal Dena Reese-Booze, and their network of licensed investigators, mitigation specialists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and forensic experts stand ready to help you in your time of need.

Mr. Chetson is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, and the North Carolina Bar Association.

Mr. Chetson and Ms. Reese provide compassionate, aggressive defense designed to secure you the best outcome possible in high pressure cases involving the highest stakes.

Board Certified Specialist

One of fewer than 100 lawyers in North Carolina Board Certified by the State Bar as a Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Law.

Oustanding Service

More than 50 – actually more than 75! – ratings from people like you who regarding our firm as their protector and defender.

SuperLawyer

One of a select few criminal defense lawyers selected by Thomson Reuters, a national agency, as a SuperLawyer.

Trial Lawyer

With more than 25 major jury trials, including four in 2019, we have more success in trial than many lawyers have in a lifetime.

Capital Defense

Selected among highly qualified lawyers who represent North Carolinians charged with capital or first degree murder.

Largest Federal Case Ever

In 2019, Mr. Chetson was the only defense lawyer out of 82 defendants to win any trial victory in the largest case in U.S. history.

CJA Act Defense Lawyer

Chosen by North Carolina U.S. District Court judges to represent indigent criminal defendants in major federal cases.

2019 Results

In four jury trials in 2019, Mr. Chetson secured wins for clients, including two hung juries and beating back the death penalty.

In the News and Media

FAQs

What are your fees?

We set fees based on the charge, and the complexity of the case. Fees for certain state felonies may be below $4,000. Fees for complex federal cases can exceed $50,000.
Do you offer payment plans?
Do you offer consultations?

We offer free consultations in almost all cases. Most consultations occur over the phone (especially during periods of COVID-19 lockdown). We can also visit prospective clients in jail, often for a modest fee, to consult directly with a client who is being held in custody awaiting trial.
Can you guarantee an outcome?
Do you handle cases pro bono?

While we do handle cases pro bono (free of charge), those cases usually involve protest or speech-related actions, such as Moral Monday, Black Lives Matter, or protest actions. We do not take normal criminal cases – drugs, federal crimes, violent crimes – pro bono although Mr. Chetson does accept a limited number of court-appointed death penalty and federal cases.

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Press & News

August 28, 2020

The Kids Say: Lorrin Freeman Should Step Down

Lorrin Freeman is a good person, and I supported her in 2014 when she ran against Boz Zellinger and John Bryant. But I have to say, the Kids are Alright when they call for her resignation. Her handling of the COVID virus in the courthouse and the protests in Raleigh has been deplorable. Her seeking […]

August 14, 2020

DNC Delegate for Bernie Sanders

July 31, 2020

Arrests in Twitter Hack

Florida law enforcement has arrested a seventeen-year-old in Florida who they say is the “linchpin” of a hack that resulted in multiple hacked Twitter accounts in July. President Obama, Elon Musk, who himself has been subject to federal investigations for SEC violations, and Joe Biden are among those whose accounts were briefly taken over. The […]