Pre-Charge Representation in Charlotte

Under Investigation? Get Legal Guidance Before Charges Are Filed.

At Jetton & Meredith, PLLC, our criminal defense team brings 28 years of combined experience representing individuals facing criminal investigations and charges throughout Charlotte and the surrounding communities. We represent people who have been contacted by law enforcement, learned that an accusation was reported, or have a credible reason to believe they’re under investigation. We can assess what’s known, advise you about communications, and prepare for developments such as a criminal summons or arrest warrant. An investigation doesn’t establish guilt, and retaining counsel isn’t an admission of wrongdoing. Seeking case-specific advice early can help you avoid statements or actions that could complicate the situation, such as deleting potential evidence, contacting an accuser, or discussing the investigation online.

When to Contact a Pre-Charge Defense Attorney

You don’t need to wait for an arrest to seek legal advice. The appropriate response depends on why an agency is contacting you, whether its request is voluntary, and whether a subpoena, court order, or warrant is involved.

Consider contacting us promptly if:

• A detective asks you to answer questions or come to a station.
• Investigators contact your relatives, coworkers, employer, or friends.
• Law enforcement requests access to your phone, home, vehicle, accounts, or records.
• You receive a subpoena, target letter, criminal summons, or notice concerning a warrant.
• Someone accuses you of domestic violence, assault, fraud, theft, or another offense.
• You believe an accusation may be reported and aren’t sure what to do next.

A voluntary law enforcement interview isn’t the same as a legally enforceable demand. Before speaking, providing records, consenting to a search, or making a public statement, obtain advice tailored to the contact you received.

What Pre-Charge Representation May Involve

Our role depends on the facts, the suspected offense, and the agencies involved. We help clients understand the investigation while recognizing that police, prosecutors, magistrates, and courts control their own decisions.

Our work may include:

• Reviewing known facts: We examine the accusation, communications, available documents, and sequence of events.
• Assessing legal exposure: We explain potential charges and identify unanswered questions that could affect our analysis.
• Managing communications: We can contact investigators, evaluate whether an interview is appropriate, and prepare you for a controlled interview when warranted.
• Preserving evidence: We can identify relevant messages, photographs, videos, financial records, social media content, and potential witnesses.
• Preparing for formal action: We can explain what may happen if authorities pursue an arrest warrant, criminal summons, or charges.

If formal action occurs, our representation can move into the next stage of the North Carolina criminal process. Depending on the circumstances, that may include guidance about court appearances, pretrial release, and release conditions.

Handling Interviews, Searches, & Potential Evidence

Don’t guess whether investigators view you as a witness, person of interest, or suspect. We can seek information about the contact, communicate on your behalf, and advise whether speaking is strategically appropriate. In some cases, the sound decision may be to decline an interview.

Preserve potentially relevant texts, emails, call logs, photographs, videos, financial documents, and social media messages. Don’t delete, alter, conceal, or destroy materials, even if you believe they’re unhelpful or embarrassing. Preserving this information allows us to evaluate the record as it exists.

Avoid contacting an accuser or potential witness without legal advice. Calls, messages, apologies, demands, or attempts to influence someone can be interpreted as pressure, intimidation, threats, or interference.

How Mecklenburg County Jurisdiction May Affect Your Case

The location of the alleged conduct can determine which law enforcement agency, prosecutor’s office, court, or magistrate becomes involved. The Mecklenburg County District Attorney prosecutes non-federal criminal matters occurring within the county. Federal investigations follow a different process involving different agencies and prosecutors.

We represent criminal defense clients in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and surrounding counties, including Union, Cabarrus, Gaston, and Iredell counties. Our planning considers the investigating agency, suspected offense, possible jurisdiction, and whether the case could proceed in state or federal court.

Attorney Chloe Saine previously served as a Mecklenburg County Assistant District Attorney. Her knowledge of how criminal cases are investigated, evaluated, and prosecuted informs our approach before formal charges are filed.

Decades of Combined Experience Applied to Your Situation

Founded in 2009, we draw on decades of combined legal experience. Multiple attorneys at our firm have earned professional recognition, including Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars™ selections. We tailor our approach to the facts instead of treating every law enforcement contact the same way.

Evening and weekend consultations are available, and our bilingual staff can assist Spanish-speaking clients. Se Habla Español.

Get Advice Before You Respond

If you believe an investigation is underway, contact us and explain what happened, what law enforcement requested, and what information you’ve received. We can evaluate the circumstances, discuss possible next steps, and determine whether representation at this stage fits your situation. Although we can’t promise that an investigation won’t lead to charges or an arrest, we can develop a personalized strategy and prepare for formal proceedings if they occur.