Answers to the questions people ask first.

Merritt Wagoner is a Wilmington, North Carolina criminal defense lawyer with more than 21 years of experience. He represents people in New Hanover County, Pender County, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

The office is at 316 Princess Street, Wilmington, NC 28401. It is two blocks from the New Hanover County Courthouse and around the corner from the Alton Lennon Federal Building.

Criminal defense, in both state and federal court. That includes felonies, misdemeanors, DWI, drug crimes, domestic violence, sex offenses, robberies, weapons charges, white collar matters, probation violations, and expungements.

No. The practice is focused on criminal defense. That focus is intentional. It keeps Merritt sharp on the parts of the law that matter to his clients.

Yes. DWI defense is a regular part of the practice in both counties. That includes first offense, repeat offense, refusal cases, and DWIs involving an accident. We address the criminal charge and the DMV license consequences as one connected problem.

Yes. We regularly appear in Pender County District and Superior Court in Burgaw. The Wilmington office is a short drive from the Pender County Courthouse, and Merritt has been in front of the judges and prosecutors there for years.

316 Princess Street, Wilmington, NC 28401. District court handles misdemeanors and DWI calendar call. Superior court handles felony matters. Both are in the same downtown complex.

100 South Wright Street, Burgaw, NC 28425. It is a smaller courthouse with a smaller calendar and a tighter local bar.

District court handles misdemeanors, DWI, and the early stages of felony cases. Superior court is where felony cases are tried in front of a jury. Some matters move from one to the other depending on how they are resolved.

Calendar call is when the court reads through the day's cases at the start of a session to figure out which cases are ready, which need to be continued, and which will be heard. It can feel chaotic the first time you see it.

Yes. Merritt is admitted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina and has 21+ years of federal criminal defense experience there.

At the Alton Lennon Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 2 Princess Street, Wilmington, NC. Federal cases venued in the southern part of the Eastern District are typically heard there. Other matters are handled in Raleigh, New Bern, Elizabeth City, or Greenville.

A target letter from the U.S. Attorney's Office means a federal grand jury is looking at you as a target of an investigation. You are not yet indicted, but you are close. Do not respond to the letter or discuss the case with anyone before you talk to a lawyer.

No. You do not have to speak to FBI, DEA, ATF, HSI, or any other federal agent. You can be polite, take a card, and tell them your lawyer will be in touch. Then call this office.

Different rules, different prosecutors, different sentencing. Federal cases run on the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Federal discovery comes later than state discovery. Plea negotiations and trial procedure differ. A small detail in a federal case can swing the outcome by years.

Two things. First, exercise your right to remain silent. Do not explain, do not justify, do not try to "clear it up." Second, ask for a lawyer and stop talking until one is in the room with you. Then call this office.

No. Especially if you're innocent. People talk themselves into trouble every day trying to be helpful. Wait until you have a lawyer.

It depends on the charge and the court. In state district court, your first appearance is typically a brief proceeding to address counsel and bond. In federal court, the initial appearance can include detention arguments that affect whether you go home that day.

Sometimes. It depends on the evidence, the procedural posture, and whether there are problems with the stop, the search, or the witnesses. No honest lawyer will promise dismissal at the first call.

Anything you have. The citation or indictment. Bond paperwork. Discovery, if you've received it. A list of dates and what happened. Names of any witnesses.

Fees depend on the charges, the court, and the projected work. Some matters are flat fee. Some are billed differently. Merritt will discuss the fee directly with you once he understands what you are facing. There are no hidden costs.

The line is answered 24 hours a day by Karen, an AI virtual receptionist trained on the firm. She can answer general questions about the New Hanover County, Pender County, and Eastern District court systems, schedule an appointment with Merritt, or take a detailed message.

No. Karen can answer general questions about how the local courts work and how the firm operates, but she will not give legal advice and will not pretend to be a lawyer. Anything that requires legal judgment goes to Merritt.

As fast as he can. Court schedules vary. If he is in front of a judge when you call, the receptionist will route the message and you will hear back as soon as he is out.

Sometimes. North Carolina has expungement statutes that cover dismissed charges, certain non-violent convictions after a waiting period, and some juvenile matters. Eligibility depends on the specific charge, the disposition, and the time that has passed. Call to find out if your case qualifies.