Bill Powers

Charlotte NC "Lawyer of the Year - Criminal Defense: General Practice"
2018 Best Lawyers®; 2019 Best Lawyers® Past President of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice 2016 - 2017

Criminal Law

Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes

Personal Injury

Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death

DUI & DWI

Divorce

Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Victims Rights , Victims Rights

Traffic Tickets

Suspended License

Cannabis & Marijuana Law

Marijuana Business Formation, Medical Marijuana

Workers' Compensation

Products Liability

Drugs & Medical Devices, Motor Vehicle Defects, Toxic Torts

White Collar Crime

Family Law

Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law

• FaceTime
• Google Hangouts
• Zoom
• GoToMeeting
• Microsoft Teams

• Free Consultation
  Payment plans available for family law cases under NC divorce laws, and criminal law cases, as set forth above. Ask us your pressing questions about North Carolina marriage laws relating to child custody, alimony, child support and visitation rights. Our Carolina Attorneys can help you track NC court dates by defendant name, or discuss penalties for conviction of possession of a controlled substance. Before a client can be convicted, our criminal justice attorneys thoroughly review Miranda Rights, Fourth amendment, Fifth amendment and many more legal challenges under the North Carolina statutes applicable to criminal cases. Only by exhaustive work can your best outcome be obtained.
• Credit Cards Accepted
  Payment plans / automatic billing available for accusations of violating NC criminal laws, by way of traffic ticket or indictment. A criminal defense attorney Charlotte NC with our law firm can also offer you attorney fees payment plans that best suit your budget. Our most common criminal justice case arises from a Mecklenburg county arrest, and often for a violation of North Carolina weed laws. Remember that a NC offender is not a convicted person, so long as your criminal attorney is still fighting your criminal prosecution to achieve the best outcome.
• Contingent Fees
  Contingent fees are available personal Injury, workers compensation and wrongful death cases, since this type of civil litigation utilizes these fee arrangements as the best and most equitable method of structuring fees. The North Carolina statute on contributory negligence makes this necessary. Call an auto accident attorney Charlotte NC for a FREE lawyer consultation. Matters involving Impaired Driving, DWI / DUI, Criminal Defense & Traffic Law specifically can NOT be on a contingency fee basis. Bill Powers has been lead counsel on more North carolina murder cases. Our criminal lawyers Charlotte NC have experience with North Carolina drugs laws, felony vs misdemeanor. North Carolina marijuana cases (felony or misdemeanor) are our most common controlled substance. Mecklenburg County warrants are a daily legal problem that our Charlotte attorneys give legal advice about, and often are retained for the criminal case.
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Guaranteed flat fee, in writing, for DWI / DUI, Criminal Defense & Traffic Law issues. This includes such common North Carolina offenses as: speeding ticket in NC, open container NC, misdemeanor larceny, DUI in NC, NC traffic ticket, DWI in NC, class 1 misdemeanor NC, class 3 misdemeanor NC, simple assault NC, NC speeding laws, larceny by employee, assault with a deadly weapon NC, class 2 misdemeanor NC, NC domestic violence laws, assault on a female, class F felony NC, class 1 felony NC, breaking and entering NC, class A1 misdemeanor NC, injury to personal property, driving while impaired, DUI in North Carolina first offense, criminal negligence, manslaughter, or violating North Carolina gun laws, Once you decide on the best law firm for your case, we will meet you in person or virtually, via Facetime, Zoom or other electronic method.

North Carolina

Since 1992

Partner

Powers Law Firm PA

2017 - Current

Immediate Past President

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

2017 - Current

https://www.ncaj.com/index.cfm?pg=Leadership

President

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

2016 - 2017

President Elect

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

2015 - 2016

ncaj.com

Vice President - Communications

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

2013 - 2015

Campbell University

J.D. (1992) | Juris Doctorate (JD) - Law School

1989 - 1992

Honors: Academic Scholarship. Book Award "Jurisprudence"

North Carolina State University

B.A. (1988) | Political Science

1985 - 1988

Order of Service

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

2017

While we have the “Ebbie Awards” which recognize members who go above and beyond in their commitment, dedica?on and service to NCAJ, the Order of Service is a broader recogni?on of members who have given generously of their ?me and talent to NCAJ by serving a minimum of two areas. These areas include amicus brief wri?ng, wri?ng manuscripts and speaking at CLE seminars, ac?vely serving on commi?ees, wri?ng ar?cles for Trial Briefs, chairing educa?onal programs, wri?ng for various NCAJ publica?on projects, chairing sec?ons or divisions, among other things. The goal of this recogni?on is to let those of you who give so much of your ?me know how much we appreciate you and to encourage others to join your ranks!

Order of Service

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

2016

Continuing Legal Education Co-Chair / Program Host NCSCCLE DWI/DUI Continuing Education

Order of Service

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

2015

Continuing Legal Education

Order of Service

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

2014

Ebbie Award

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

Immediate Past President

2017 - Current

DUIDLA DUI DEFENSE LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

Founding Member

2015 - Current

Activities: Continuing Legal Education

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

President

2016 - 2017

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

President Elect

2015 - 2016

Activities: Finance & Personnel, Chair Nominating & Awards Committee, Chair

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

Vice President - Communications

2013 - 2015

North Carolina DWI

Self Published

2017

North Carolina DWI

Self Published

2014

Trial Skills Workshops - Cross Examination, WINNING DUI TRIALS with a Little Southern Charm, Charleston, South Carolina

September 16, 2017

DUIDLA DUI DEFENSE LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

http://duidla.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-Revised-Charleston-brochure.pdf

Courtroom Preparation & Defense Perspective - Standardized Field Sobriety Testing SFST - Law Enforcement, SFST Training - Cabarrus County Sheriff's Department, Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office

February 13, 2016

Cabarrus County Sheriff's Department

An Ethical Guide to Old School and New School Communication Skills, Mecklenburg County Bar - "Google for Practitioners", Charlotte, North Carolina

January 27, 2016

Mecklenburg County Bar

https://www.meckbar.org/UserFiles/files/alison/FinalFlyer012716.pdf

Breath Testing - Science Behind the Devices, DWI & DUI Advocacy - Masters of DWI, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

September 17, 2015

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

https://www.ncaj.com/index.cfm?pg=events&evAction=showDetail&eid=25138&evSubAction=viewMonth&calmonth=201509

Attacking the Science in DWI Cases, 2015 UNC School of Government: Spring Public Defender and Investigator Conference, Greensboro, North Carolina

April 12, 2015

North Carolina School of Government

Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist - "Criminal Trial Advocacy"

National Board of Legal Specialty Certification / National Board of Trial Advocacy (See: http://www.nblsc.us/criminal_law/)

Q. Question about getting two speeding tickets close together.

15 March 2020

A: GOOD QUESTION While clearly disconcerting, there may be legal options available. I think the smart thing to do is to retain legal counsel immediately. Butch Jenkins is an excellent attorney and super nice guy: https://www.thigpenjenkins.com/About-Us/Walter-I-Jenkins-Iii.shtml Here's some more information about Insurance Points vs NC DMV points: https://www.carolinaattorneys.com/blog/license-points-vs-insurance-points/ District Attorney's offices in NC often have preferred protocols on how to handle tickets. Legal counsel may want to consolidate the cases to negotiate a plea. Obviously, some of the important considerations/goals would be: 1. Save the license 2. Save insurance premiums Bill Powers Charlotte Traffic Ticket Attorney CarolinaAttorneys.com

Q. I currently have pending misdemeanor charges for several things and I need some answers.

10 March 2020

A: GREAT QUESTION The Concealed Carry Permit in North Carolina is largely controlled by NC Criminal Law Chapter 14-415.11 and N.C.G.S. 14-415.12. In addition to certain conditions precedent regarding attending and passing coursework, some level of discretion is given to the Local Sheriff in issuing the permit. The law reads in relevant part: The sheriff shall issue a permit to carry a concealed handgun to a person who qualifies for a permit under G.S. 14-415.12 The "Criteria to Qualify" for an Issuance of a Permit include things like: US Citizen or lawfully admitted permanent residence Must have resided in NC for 30 days or more prior to the application for the permit The applicant must be at least 21 years old The applicant cannot "suffer from a physical or mental infirmity" that prevents handling a handgun safely. The Sheriff may lawfully DENY A PERMIT if the applicant is: Under Indictment for a felony Fugitive from Justice USER OF MARIJUANA An addicted user of alcohol, any depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug Section (b)(5) of N.C.G.S. 14-415.12 reads: (5) Is an unlawful user of, or addicted to marijuana, alcohol, or any depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance as defined in 21 U.S.C. § 802. FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE: CAN I GET MY CHARGES DISMISSED: https://www.carolinaattorneys.com/blog/can-my-charges-get-dismissed/ HOW TO GET A POSSESSION CHARGE DROPPED: https://www.carolinaattorneys.com/how-to-get-a-possession-charge-dropped.html DRUG CRIMES IN NC: https://www.carolinaattorneys.com/charlotte-nc-drug-crimes.html WHAT IS PARAPHERNALIA: https://www.carolinaattorneys.com/drug-paraphernalia-possession.html ALCOHOL OFFENSES: https://www.carolinaattorneys.com/alcohol-offenses-and-violations.html

Q. What am I facing for a felony larceny by employee charge, possession of stolen goods and felony false pretense charge?

3 March 2020

A: GREAT QUESTION N.C.G.S. § 14-74 covers Larceny by Employee charges in North Carolina. Ordinarily, that is a Class H felony. BUT, that is dependent on the amount at issue. If the value of the money, goods, or other items that are illegally taken is $100,000 or more, the it is a Class C Felony in North Carolina. Larceny by Employee and Embezzlement charges are sometimes confused with one another. You may benefit from reading: EMBEZZLEMENT IN NC: https://www.carolinaattorneys.com/what-is-embezzlement.html WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EMBEZZLEMENT AND FALSE PRETENSE: https://www.carolinaattorneys.com/what-s-the-difference-between-embezzlement-and-false-pretense.html WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FELONY AND MISDEMEANOR CHARGE: https://www.carolinaattorneys.com/north-carolina-criminal-law-chapter-14-1-felonies-and-misdemeano.html WHAT IS FELONY LARCENY: https://www.carolinaattorneys.com/north-carolina-criminal-law-14-72-a-felonious-larcenygoods-worth.html NORTH CRIMINAL LAW: https://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_14/GS_14-74.html LARCENY EMBEZZLEMENT AND FRAUD IN NC: https://www.carolinaattorneys.com/larceny-embezzlement-fraud.html EMBEZZLEMENT OF PROPERTY: https://www.carolinaattorneys.com/north-carolina-criminal-law-14-90-embezzlement-of-property-by-vi.html Even lower-level felonies involving crimes of theft, dishonesty, and/or stealing can have long-lasting consequences. Indeed, a conviction for even misdemeanor larceny can make finding and keeping a good job difficult. This is a deceptively complex area of criminal law in NC. Seek legal counsel immediately. Bill Powers CarolinaAttorneys.com