THE CHETSON FIRMCriminal Defense Attorneys
19 W. Hargett St., Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27601 | info@chetson.com
Aggressive Felony Defense Throughout Wake County
Damon Chetson regularly appears in Wake County Superior and District Court on behalf of clients facing criminal charges ranging from DWI to first-degree murder. As a Board Certified Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Law — one of fewer than 12 in Wake County — he brings a level of credentialed expertise that no competitor can claim. Most Wake County cases are heard in the county seat, where Damon practices as a Raleigh criminal lawyer and trial attorney.
State & Federal Criminal Law
1 of fewer than 12 in Wake County
Jury Trials
Multiple Not Guilty Verdicts
Eastern District of NC
Court-Vetted Federal Counsel
Recognized Every Year
Since 2015
Criminal cases in Wake County are heard at two locations in downtown Raleigh. Understanding how the courts operate is essential to building an effective defense strategy.
316 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Misdemeanor trials, initial felony appearances, DWI cases, bond hearings, and domestic violence matters. The busiest criminal court in North Carolina.
301 S. McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Felony jury trials, felony sentencing, and post-conviction matters. All serious felony charges ultimately reach Superior Court after grand jury indictment.
The Wake County District Attorney's office is one of the largest prosecutorial organizations in North Carolina. It is well-staffed, well-funded, and prosecutes cases aggressively across all charge categories. Prosecutors know the local courts, the local judges, and what it takes to win at trial.
Having a defense attorney who is equally familiar with the Wake County system — and who has a proven trial record in these courts — is the most important factor in achieving a favorable outcome.
"Wake County prosecutors are experienced and well-resourced. The best defense is an attorney who has been in these courtrooms, tried cases to verdict, and earned the respect of the bench and bar."
Felonies, misdemeanors, DWI, drug charges, assault, domestic violence in Wake County courts.
Federal charges in the Eastern District of NC. CJA Panel attorney. RICO, drug trafficking, wire fraud.
Rape, sexual assault, indecent liberties, internet sex crimes. Protect against mandatory registration.
Embezzlement, wire fraud, tax crimes, money laundering. Discreet, strategic representation.
Nationwide SafeSport investigation defense for coaches, athletes, and administrators.
NC State Bar, Medical Board, Nursing Board, and teaching license proceedings.
First Degree Sexual Offense (Wake County Superior Court) — Jury acquittal after trial. Client avoided mandatory sex offender registration.
First Degree Murder — Club Bodi Case (Wake County Superior Court) — High-profile murder case. Exposed lead investigator's inconsistencies. Ten jurors voted to acquit.
Triple Homicide (Wake County Superior Court, 2019) — Mental health mitigation secured life sentence instead of death penalty.
Level 1 DWI — BAC 0.19 (Wake County District Court) — Pretrial motion granted on validity of the traffic stop. Charge dismissed.
Fewer than 12 attorneys in Wake County hold Board Certification in criminal defense from the NC State Bar. That designation — earned through a written examination, peer review, and verified trial experience — is the only credential that has been independently verified by the governing body of the NC legal profession.
Damon Chetson has been Board Certified since 2016. He is also appointed to the federal Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel and the Capital Defender First Chair Roster — credentials that reflect court-verified competence, not self-marketing.
Learn About Board CertificationYes. The Chetson Firm's office is located at 19 W. Hargett St. in downtown Raleigh, within walking distance of both Wake County courthouses. Damon Chetson has practiced in Wake County courts for over 15 years and has tried numerous jury trials to verdict in Wake County Superior Court.
District Court handles misdemeanor trials, initial felony appearances, DWI cases, and bond hearings. Superior Court handles felony jury trials after grand jury indictment. A felony charge typically begins in District Court for a probable cause hearing, then moves to Superior Court for trial or plea.
Immediately — ideally before your first court date. Early representation allows your attorney to review the facts, advise you on your rights, communicate with the District Attorney's office, and in some cases intervene before formal charges are finalized. The earlier you have counsel, the more options you have.
Yes. Charges can be dismissed through successful pretrial motions (challenging the legality of a stop, search, or arrest), through the DA declining to proceed, through diversion programs for eligible defendants, or through negotiated resolution. An experienced attorney evaluates all of these options from the first meeting.
Get a free, confidential consultation with a Board Certified criminal defense specialist. Available by phone or text.
The Chetson Firm · 19 W. Hargett St., Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27601 · info@chetson.com
Results vary by case. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results. Information on this website does not constitute legal advice. Damon Chetson is licensed in North Carolina and admitted in the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of NC and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. NC Bar RPC 7.2.