THE CHETSON FIRM
Criminal Defense Attorneys
19 W. Hargett St., Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27601 | info@chetson.com
One of fewer than 12 Board Certified criminal defense specialists in Wake County — independently verified by the NC State Bar in State and Federal Criminal Law since 2016.
State & Federal Criminal Law (2016–Present)
One of fewer than 12 in Wake County, 100 in NC
Eastern District of North Carolina
Federal court-appointed and independently vetted counsel
2015 to Present
Consistently Recognized for Excellence
Board Certification is a designation granted by the North Carolina State Bar to attorneys who have met rigorous standards of knowledge, skill, and experience in a specific area of law. It is not a marketing title or a self-designation — it is an independent, peer-reviewed credential issued by the governing body of the NC legal profession.
To become Board Certified in Criminal Law, an attorney must:
The result is a credential that the NC State Bar stands behind — not the attorney's own marketing department.
"Board Certification means an independent body — the same body that grants and revokes every law license in North Carolina — has verified this attorney as an expert. That is categorically different from any other designation you will see on a criminal defense attorney's website."
Fewer than 100 attorneys in the entire state of North Carolina hold Board Certification in criminal defense. In Wake County — the most populous county in the state, home to Raleigh and the Wake County courts — fewer than 12 attorneys hold this designation.
Board Certified criminal defense specialists in Wake County: fewer than 12. In all of North Carolina: fewer than 100. Damon Chetson has held this designation since 2016, certified in both State and Federal Criminal Law by the NC State Bar.
Verification: NC State Bar Lawyer Directory — ncbar.gov
When you search for a Raleigh criminal defense attorney, you will find dozens of lawyers who describe themselves as experienced, aggressive, or dedicated. Board Certification is the only credential that has been independently verified by the NC State Bar. It is the difference between an attorney saying they are an expert and an institution confirming it.
When you hire a Board Certified criminal defense specialist, you are not relying on self-reported credentials. You are hiring an attorney whose expertise has been verified by the same body that licenses every lawyer in North Carolina — and that has the authority to revoke that license.
Board Certification matters most in cases where the stakes are highest:
Damon Chetson has been Board Certified as a Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Law by the North Carolina State Bar since 2016. He practices exclusively in criminal defense — no personal injury, no family law, no real estate. Every case he takes is a criminal case, and every year of his career has been spent developing the knowledge and trial skills that Board Certification requires.
His credentials extend well beyond Board Certification:
In 2022, Damon ran for Wake County District Attorney and earned 42% of the vote against a well-funded incumbent — a measure of the trust and respect he has earned in the Wake County justice system over more than 15 years of practice.
You will see many credentials listed on criminal defense attorney websites — Super Lawyers, Avvo ratings, "Top 10" lists, and similar designations. These can be meaningful signals, but they are not the same as Board Certification. Here is the difference:
| Credential | Issued By | Requires Exam? | Peer Review? | Trial Experience Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC State Bar Board Certification | North Carolina State Bar (government) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SuperLawyers | Thomson Reuters (private) | No | Peer nominations | No |
| Avvo Rating (10.0) | Avvo (private company) | No | No | No |
| "Top 10" Lists | Private marketing companies | No | No | No |
| AV Preeminent (Martindale) | Martindale-Hubbell (private) | No | Peer survey | No |
Board Certification matters in every criminal case, but it is most critical when the stakes are highest and the legal issues are most complex. If you are facing any of the following, you should strongly consider hiring a Board Certified specialist:
Federal sentencing guidelines, mandatory minimums, and the U.S. Attorney's Office require specialized knowledge. Damon is CJA Panel appointed — vetted by the court itself.
Mandatory registry requirements, residency restrictions, and permanent collateral consequences make board-certified expertise essential in every sex offense case.
Complex conspiracies, wire fraud, and RICO prosecutions require deep knowledge of federal statutes, sentencing practice, and trial strategy.
Any felony in Wake County, Johnston County, or surrounding counties carries consequences serious enough to warrant the highest level of criminal defense expertise.
Federal-level proceedings that can end a coaching career. Nationwide representation for coaches, athletes, and administrators. Virtually no competition for this niche.
NC State Bar, Medical Board, Nursing Board, and Teaching License proceedings where your career depends on the outcome.
Board Certification is a credential issued by the North Carolina State Bar to attorneys who have passed a written examination, demonstrated substantial trial experience in criminal law over at least five years, and received positive peer reviews from judges and opposing counsel. It is the only state-issued expert designation in criminal law in North Carolina and cannot be purchased, self-nominated, or otherwise obtained without meeting the State Bar's specific requirements.
Fewer than 12 attorneys in Wake County hold Board Certification in criminal defense from the NC State Bar. Statewide, fewer than 100 attorneys hold this designation. It is one of the rarest credentials in the Raleigh legal community, which is why it is a meaningful signal when evaluating attorneys for serious criminal cases.
No. Board Certification is issued by the NC State Bar — the government body that licenses attorneys in North Carolina. Avvo and SuperLawyers are private companies whose rating methodologies are not independently verified. Board Certification requires passing a formal written examination, submitting to peer review by judges and opposing counsel, and demonstrating significant trial experience. The other designations do not. When evaluating a serious criminal charge, Board Certification is the most meaningful credential to look for.
Yes. Damon Chetson is Board Certified in both State and Federal Criminal Law — a distinction that matters. He is appointed to the federal Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel for the Eastern District of North Carolina, meaning federal courts have independently vetted him as qualified to handle federal criminal cases. He also sits on the Capital Defender First Chair Roster and the NC Habeas Capital Roster, and has argued cases before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
You can verify any NC attorney's Board Certification through the NC State Bar Lawyer Directory at ncbar.gov. Search for the attorney by name and look for the Board Certified Specialist designation in criminal law. This verification is public and free.
Call us. We discuss fees openly and can often arrange payment plans for clients who need representation. We also accept court-appointed CJA cases for eligible clients in federal court. The most important step is making contact early — before a court date, before speaking with investigators, and before making any decisions about your case.
One of fewer than 12 in Wake County. Free, confidential consultation. No obligation.
Serving Raleigh, Wake County, Johnston County, Durham County, Orange County, and all NC state and federal courts.
Information provided on this website does not constitute legal advice. Damon Chetson is licensed to practice in the State of North Carolina and is admitted to practice before the federal courts of the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina, as well as the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Board Certification in Criminal Law is issued by the North Carolina State Bar. Results vary by case; past outcomes do not guarantee future results.