Merritt Wagoner

Calm, collected, and built for the courtroom.

For more than two decades, Merritt Wagoner has defended people facing the worst day of their lives. He built the practice around two things: state criminal defense in New Hanover and Pender Counties, and federal criminal defense in the Eastern District of North Carolina. That focus is intentional. He sees the same prosecutors, the same judges, and the same courtrooms most weeks of the year.

His clients describe him the same way the firm name reads: calm in the chaos. A criminal charge does not just create a legal problem. It reorganizes a family. It threatens a job. It makes the next phone call feel impossible. Merritt's job is to take that weight off your shoulders, explain what is actually happening, and build a defense that is honest about your options.

Experience that translates

State practice and federal practice run on different rules, different timelines, and different expectations. Most local defense lawyers do one or the other. Merritt does both. The state work keeps him sharp on motion practice and trial rhythm. The federal work keeps him fluent in the Sentencing Guidelines, target letters, and the way federal investigations unfold. Each side of the practice makes the other better.

What you can expect

Direct conversation. A clear explanation of the charges and the realistic range of outcomes. A written plan. And a lawyer who picks up the phone when you call.

Credentials

• Admitted, State of North Carolina
• Admitted, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
• 21+ years of criminal defense practice
• Office located at 316 Princess Street, Wilmington, NC 28401