Criminal Defense Practice Areas in Wilmington
These are the charges Merritt Wagoner defends across New Hanover County, Pender County, and federal court in the Eastern District of North Carolina. If your charge is not listed here, call and ask. The practice covers more than one page can hold.
DWI & DUI Defense
A DWI in New Hanover or Pender County puts both your record and your license at risk. Merritt handles first offenses, repeat charges, refusals, and accident cases, and treats the criminal case and the DMV side as the single problem they really are.
How DWI cases workFederal Charges
Federal court runs on different rules, and the stakes are higher. Merritt is admitted in the Eastern District of North Carolina and defends drug conspiracy, federal firearm, and fraud cases there, where most local lawyers do not practice.
Federal defenseDrug Crimes
From simple possession to trafficking, in state or federal court. The label on the charge matters less than what the evidence actually shows and how it was gathered, and that is where Merritt starts looking.
Drug charge defenseDomestic Violence
Assault on a female, communicating threats, and 50B protective orders. These cases move quickly and can follow you for years, so Merritt handles them carefully and discreetly from the first call.
Domestic chargesFelonies & Misdemeanors
Class A through Class 3 offenses in district and superior court, from your first appearance through trial. At every step you will know where your case stands and what is coming next.
All chargesExpungements
If a case against you was dismissed, or you carry an old conviction, you may be able to clear it from your record. Merritt can look at your history and tell you whether you qualify and what it takes.
Clearing your recordService areas
Not sure where your charge fits? Ask.
Tell Merritt what you are facing and he will tell you plainly where you stand. Reach out by phone, text, or by booking a consultation.
The line is answered 24/7 by Karen, an AI assistant who schedules appointments and takes messages. She does not transfer calls or give legal advice or fee quotes.