Criminal Defense Attorney in Raleigh and Wake County
A criminal charge can put your freedom, your job and your family at risk almost overnight. Guirguis Law moves quickly to protect your rights and build the strongest possible defense for your case.
What a Criminal Defense Lawyer at Guirguis Law Handles
If you have been arrested, charged, or are under investigation anywhere in Wake, Durham or Johnston County, our criminal defense attorney team is ready to step in. We represent clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges in North Carolina state court, along with clients accused of crimes in federal court.
Founding attorney Nardine Guirguis is one of only seven board certified criminal defense specialists in North Carolina recognized in both federal and state criminal law. That credential means every case at our law firm benefits from tested courtroom skill, not just general practice knowledge.
We are also a Christian law firm, and clients often tell us that combination of skilled advocacy and genuine care makes a difficult time easier to carry. Whatever you're facing, you deserve a lawyer who treats you like a person, not a file number.
Your Rights and What to Consider After an Arrest
The choices you make in the first hours and days after an arrest can shape the rest of your case. Understanding your rights early gives you the best chance at a favorable outcome.
- You have the right to remain silent and should use it until you speak with a criminal defense lawyer.
- Bail and pretrial release conditions can often be negotiated or challenged.
- Evidence from traffic stops, searches and statements can be challenged before trial.
- Federal charges call for a federal criminal defense lawyer familiar with federal sentencing guidelines, while state charges call for a state criminal defense lawyer who knows North Carolina court procedure.
- A felony conviction can affect employment, housing and firearm rights long after the case ends.
- Diversion programs, reduced bail or alternative sentencing may be available depending on the charge.
- Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association
- NC Board Certified Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Defense, 2012
- Serving Wake, Durham and Johnston counties since 2008
How Our Criminal Defense Attorney Team Handles Your Case
From the moment you call, we focus on protecting your rights and shaping a strategy suited to your specific charge and courtroom.
Confidential Case Review
We start with a private consultation to understand your arrest, charges and immediate concerns, then explain what to expect in Wake, Durham or Johnston County court.
Investigation and Evidence Review
Our team examines police reports, body camera footage, lab results and witness statements to find weaknesses in the state's or federal government's case against you.
Strategy and Negotiation
We prepare every case as if it will go to trial while pursuing dismissal, reduced charges or alternative sentencing whenever it serves your interests.
Courtroom Representation and Resolution
Whether your case resolves through negotiation or trial, we stand with you in the courtroom and keep fighting for the best available outcome.
Meet the Attorneys Who Handle Your Criminal Case
Your defense deserves attorneys who know North Carolina and federal courtrooms firsthand. These are the team members who lead our criminal defense cases.
Nardine Mary Guirguis
Nardine is a board certified criminal defense specialist in both state and federal criminal law, one of only seven attorneys in North Carolina to hold that dual certification.
Robert E. Waters
Robert brings courtroom experience across DWI, drug and felony defense matters, working alongside clients throughout Wake, Durham and Johnston counties.
Why Wake, Durham and Johnston County Clients Choose Guirguis Law
Our office sits on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh, just blocks from the Wake County Courthouse, so we know the judges, prosecutors and calendars our clients face. That familiarity helps us anticipate how a case will move from first appearance through resolution.
We also regularly appear in the Durham County Courthouse on East Main Street and the Johnston County Courthouse in Smithfield, giving clients across the Triangle and eastern Wake County one firm they can rely on no matter which county filed the charge.
Many of our clients come from Raleigh's diverse neighborhoods, and as a multilingual law firm, we're able to serve Spanish and Arabic speaking clients directly in their own language during a stressful and confusing time.
Criminal Defense Lawyer FAQ
Here are answers to questions we hear often from clients facing criminal charges in Raleigh and the surrounding counties.
What does a board certified criminal defense specialist do differently?
Board certification means the attorney has met strict experience requirements, passed a rigorous exam and been reviewed by peers in both state and federal criminal law. It's an added layer of verified skill beyond a standard law license.
When should I contact a felony defense lawyer instead of handling a misdemeanor charge on my own?
Any charge carrying the possibility of prison time, loss of firearm rights or a permanent record deserves an attorney. Felony charges especially call for early legal help, since decisions made before your first court date can affect the entire case.
Can a DWI lawyer really change the outcome of my case?
Yes. A DWI lawyer can challenge the traffic stop, the field sobriety tests and the accuracy of breath or blood testing. Those challenges often lead to reduced charges, suppressed evidence or dismissal.
How does an expungement lawyer help clear my record?
An expungement lawyer reviews your case history to determine whether North Carolina law allows your charge or conviction to be removed from public record. If you qualify, we handle the petition and court process for you from start to finish.
Criminal Defense Coverage Across the Triangle
Our criminal defense attorney team represents clients throughout Wake, Durham and Johnston counties, appearing in courthouses across the region.
Talk to a Criminal Defense Attorney Before Your Next Court Date
Every day that passes without legal representation is a day the prosecution builds its case against you. Reach out now so we can start reviewing the evidence and protecting your rights before your next hearing.
