Merritt Wagoner has 21+ years defending federal cases in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, including the Alton Lennon Federal Building in Wilmington.
Federal criminal practice runs on a separate set of rules, a separate sentencing system, and a separate culture. The U.S. Attorney's Office does not move the way a county district attorney moves. Discovery comes later. Plea negotiations look different. The Federal Sentencing Guidelines drive much of the conversation, and a small detail about quantity, role, or criminal history can swing the outcome by years.
Most local defense lawyers do not handle federal work. Merritt does. He has been in front of federal magistrate judges and district judges in the Eastern District of North Carolina for more than two decades. If you've received a target letter, been visited by federal agents, or been indicted, you are in a system that does not forgive a slow start.
21 U.S.C. § 846 conspiracy charges, possession with intent, and drug trafficking indictments.
922(g) felon in possession, 924(c) firearm during a drug or violent crime, and straw purchase cases.
18 U.S.C. § 1343 and § 1341 indictments, including multi-defendant fraud schemes.
18 U.S.C. § 1344 cases involving check fraud, loan fraud, and account-related schemes.
Serious federal sex crime allegations handled with the discretion they require.
18 U.S.C. § 1028 and aggravated identity theft under § 1028A.
Federal possession and distribution charges with mandatory minimum exposure.
General conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. § 371 and racketeering indictments.
Violation hearings, modification petitions, and early termination motions.
A target letter from the U.S. Attorney's Office means a federal grand jury is looking at you. This is not the time to call a friend who knows a lawyer. Call a federal defense attorney immediately and stop talking about the case to anyone.
You do not have to speak to them. You can be polite, take their card, and tell them your lawyer will be in touch. Then call this office. Anything you say to a federal agent can be used against you, even if you were "just trying to help."
An indictment means the case is moving fast. Detention hearings happen quickly. Initial appearance, arraignment, and discovery deadlines all run on a federal calendar. Get a lawyer in the case before the first appearance if at all possible.
Federal cases venued in the southern part of the Eastern District are typically heard at the Alton Lennon Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse at 2 Princess Street in Wilmington. Other matters are handled in Raleigh, New Bern, Elizabeth City, or Greenville.
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The Wagoner Law Firm, PLLC