Jurisdiction: North Carolina — Buncombe County
Facing a criminal charge in Asheville or elsewhere in Western North Carolina puts a lot on the line — your record, your job, sometimes your freedom. Buncombe County’s criminal docket runs from misdemeanors through felony and capital cases, and the attorney you choose to navigate that system matters. Below is a look at ten Asheville-based criminal defense attorneys, several of whom spent years on the prosecution side of the same courthouse before switching to defense work, along with what’s publicly documented about each.
1. Edwards Law, PLLC
- Attorney: Doug Edwards
- Founded: 2021
- Headquarters: 38 Arlington Street, Asheville, NC 28801
- Phone: (828) 702-8743
- Website: dougedwardslaw.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI/DWI Defense, White Collar Crime, Professional License Defense
- Firm Size: Solo practitioner
- Google Rating: 5.0 ★ (117 reviews)
- Google Profile: View on Google
About the Firm: Doug Edwards spent over a decade as a Buncombe County prosecutor, ultimately serving as First Assistant District Attorney — the top prosecutorial role in the county — before opening his own defense practice. He’s a Board-Certified Specialist in State Criminal Law, a credential held by relatively few North Carolina attorneys, and his caseload spans everything from misdemeanor assault to felony and homicide-level charges. His firm markets its former-prosecutor perspective as its core differentiator: knowing how the state builds a case shapes how he defends against one.
2. Messer Law Firm
- Attorney: Albert M. Messer
- Founded: 1999
- Headquarters: 40 Clayton Street, Asheville, NC 28801
- Phone: (828) 251-1502
- Website: messerlaw.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI/DWI, White Collar Crime
- Firm Size: Boutique
- Google Rating: 5.0 ★ (403 reviews)
About the Firm: Al Messer began his career as a Buncombe County Assistant District Attorney before founding his own Asheville firm in 1999. He’s board certified in both state and federal criminal law, with more than 20 years of trial experience in cases ranging from traffic offenses and DWI to first-degree murder, including death-penalty matters. His docket also covers domestic violence, drug trafficking, embezzlement, and expungement work.
3. Devereux & Banzhoff, PLLC
- Attorneys: Sean P. Devereux & Andrew B. Banzhoff
- Combined Experience: 50+ years
- Headquarters: 110 Lyman St, Asheville, NC 28801
- Phone: (828) 285-9455
- Website: dblawoffices.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DWI/DUI, White Collar Crime, Drug Crimes, Violent Crimes, Sex Crimes
- Firm Size: Multi-attorney (2 named partners)
- Google Rating: 4.2 ★ (17 reviews)
About the Firm: Sean Devereux and Andrew Banzhoff co-lead a full-service Asheville criminal defense firm built on more than five decades of combined experience in state and federal matters. Both partners are board-certified specialists in criminal defense, and the firm’s docket spans white-collar crime, drug charges, violent crime, sex-crime allegations, and the professional-conduct proceedings that can follow a criminal charge.
4. Amburgey Law, P.A.
- Attorney: J. Thomas Amburgey
- In Practice: Since 2007
- Headquarters: 22 S Pack Square, Suite 1200, Asheville, NC 28801
- Phone: (828) 989-3210
- Website: amburgeylaw.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI/DWI, White Collar Crime, Federal Crime
- Firm Size: Boutique
- Google Rating: 4.8 ★ (131 reviews)
About the Firm: Thomas Amburgey is a former Buncombe County Assistant District Attorney who has since tried more than 70 jury trials in private defense practice. He’s a board-certified specialist in state criminal law, AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell, and recognized by Best Lawyers and NC Super Lawyers. His caseload ranges from violent crime and federal charges to white-collar defense.
5. The Pritchard Firm
- Attorney: John D. Pritchard
- Founded: January 2024
- Headquarters: 22 S Pack Square, 12th Floor, Asheville, NC 28801
- Phone: (828) 518-6007
- Website: pritchardfirm.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI/DWI, Federal Crime, White Collar Crime, Title IX Defense
- Firm Size: Solo practitioner (newest firm on this list)
- Google Rating: 5.0 ★ (38 reviews)
About the Firm: John Pritchard opened The Pritchard Firm in January 2024 after more than 20 years as a prosecutor, including a stint as an Assistant U.S. Attorney where he served as the office’s tribal liaison. He’s board certified in both federal and state criminal law and now handles everything from DWI and drug charges to federal firearms and white-collar cases.
6. Jason Wilson Law
- Attorney: Jason Wilson
- Founded: 2007
- Headquarters: 67 N Market St, Asheville, NC 28801
- Phone: (828) 350-3606
- Website: jasonwilsonlaw.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI Law
- Firm Size: Boutique
- Google Rating: 4.8 ★ (75 reviews)
About the Firm: A native of Asheville, Jason Wilson started at the Buncombe County Public Defender’s Office in 2004 before moving into private practice and launching his own firm in 2007. He handles felony and misdemeanor defense across Western North Carolina, from initial bond hearings through plea negotiation and trial, with reviewers frequently noting his responsiveness during the early, high-stress stages of a case.
7. McLendon Law
- Attorney: Maria McLendon
- In Practice: Licensed since 2015
- Headquarters: 4 Doctors Park, Suite J2, Asheville, NC 28801
- Phone: (828) 423-0084
- Website: mariamclendonlaw.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI/DWI, Personal Injury
- Firm Size: Solo practitioner
- Google Rating: 5.0 ★ (28 reviews)
About the Firm: Maria McLendon has practiced criminal defense in the Asheville area since 2015, handling charges from misdemeanors to felonies alongside a personal injury practice serving clients statewide. Reviewers frequently mention her direct, hands-on involvement in each case from the first consultation forward.
8. Curtis Sluder Law Firm, P.C.
- Attorney: Curtis Sluder
- Founded: 1998
- Headquarters: 260 New Leicester Hwy, Asheville, NC 28806
- Phone: (828) 254-9505
- Website: sluderlaw.com
- Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI/DWI, Traffic Law
- Firm Size: Small firm (3 attorneys)
- Google Rating: 4.8 ★ (252 reviews)
About the Firm: Curtis Sluder founded his Asheville firm in 1998 and has spent nearly three decades on criminal and traffic matters across nine North Carolina counties. DWI and traffic defense remain the practice’s core focus, but Sluder and colleagues Vijay Nathan and W. Eric Johnson also handle misdemeanor charges, some felony matters, and expunctions.
9. Scott K. Dillin, Attorney at Law
- Attorney: Scott K. Dillin
- Founded: 2010
- Headquarters: 20 N Spruce St, Asheville, NC 28801
- Phone: (828) 333-4867
- Website: wnclawyers.com
- Practice Areas: DUI & DWI, Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence, Traffic Tickets
- Firm Size: Solo practitioner
- Google Rating: 4.9 ★ (167 reviews)
About the Firm: A former Assistant District Attorney, Scott Dillin opened his own Asheville practice in 2010 after clerking for a North Carolina Court of Appeals judge. His caseload spans criminal defense, DWI, domestic violence, and traffic matters for clients across Buncombe, Henderson, and several surrounding Western North Carolina counties.
10. Minick Law, P.C.
- Attorney: James K. Minick
- In Practice: 15+ years
- Headquarters: 30 Orchard St, Asheville, NC 28801 (statewide NC/SC firm with additional offices in Charlotte, Gastonia, Waynesville, Hendersonville, Wilmington, and Durham)
- Phone: (828) 333-5024
- Website: minicklaw.com
- Practice Areas: DWI/DUI Defense, Traffic Violations, Criminal Defense
- Firm Size: Multi-attorney, multi-office
- Google Rating: 5.0 ★ (445 reviews)
About the Firm: While best known locally for DWI defense, Minick Law also handles broader traffic and criminal defense matters and has grown into a multi-office firm across the Carolinas. Founder James Minick is a General Member of the National College for DUI Defense and was named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers.
Understanding the Criminal Court Process in Buncombe County
Criminal cases in North Carolina generally move through arraignment, a preliminary hearing or probable cause determination, pre-trial motions, plea negotiation, and — if no plea is reached — trial and sentencing. Charges are classified as misdemeanors or felonies, with felony classifications (Class A through I) driving significantly different sentencing exposure. Most Buncombe County criminal matters are heard at the Buncombe County Courthouse, 60 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC. Given how quickly deadlines and hearings move in the North Carolina system, early legal representation tends to matter regardless of the charge’s severity.
About This List
The attorneys listed here represent a selection of criminal defense practices operating in Asheville and Buncombe County. Details including office locations, phone numbers, and background information are based on publicly available data verified at the time of publication, including each firm’s own website and Google Business Profile. Google ratings and review counts reflect a point-in-time snapshot and will change over time. Inclusion on this list does not constitute an endorsement or ranking of legal quality. If you’re facing a criminal charge, verify current licensing through the North Carolina State Bar and schedule consultations to find the right fit for your situation. This article is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice.
FAQs
1. Who is the best criminal defense attorney in Asheville, NC?
There’s no single “best” attorney — it depends on the type of charge, your budget, and how hands-on you want your lawyer to be. Use the list above to compare backgrounds (several are former prosecutors) and Google reviews, then schedule consultations with a few before deciding.
2. How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Asheville, NC?
Costs vary widely based on the severity of the charge and whether the case is likely to go to trial — a misdemeanor typically costs less to defend than a felony. Most attorneys on this list offer a free initial consultation and can quote a flat fee or estimate once they know the specifics of your charge.
3. What’s the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in North Carolina?
North Carolina classifies felonies from Class A (most severe, including first-degree murder) down to Class I (least severe), each with its own sentencing range. Misdemeanors are less severe and classified separately (Class A1 down to Class 3), but can still carry jail time, fines, and a permanent criminal record.
4. How soon after an arrest should I hire a criminal defense lawyer in Buncombe County?
As soon as possible — ideally before your first court appearance. An attorney can advise you during bond hearings, make sure you don’t say anything that hurts your case, and start building a defense while evidence and witness memories are still fresh.
5. Can a criminal charge be expunged in North Carolina?
Often, yes — North Carolina significantly expanded expungement eligibility in 2025 (S.L. 2025-71), with waiting periods ranging from 5 years for a single misdemeanor up to 20 years for multiple nonviolent felonies, starting once your sentence, probation, and court costs are fully complete. Some offenses — including DWI, violent felonies, and sex offenses — remain permanently ineligible.