Criminal Defense Lawyer in High Point, NC

Charges We Defend in High Point

• Drug charges: possession, possession with intent, trafficking. See our drug charge defense page.
• DWI: see our High Point DWI lawyer page. Chad D. Garrett leads our DWI work.
• Assault and domestic violence: see assault defense and domestic violence defense.
• Theft, larceny and shoplifting: see theft defense.
• Felonies of every class: see felony defense.
• Misdemeanors: see misdemeanor defense.
• Probation violations: see probation violation defense.
• Traffic charges: see our High Point traffic ticket lawyer page.

Two Courthouses, One County

Guilford County has two courthouses. Your citation, summons or release order names which one and which courtroom.

You can look up a Guilford County case on the North Carolina eCourts portal, which went live in Guilford on 29 April 2024.

Our office is in downtown Greensboro, at 317 South Greene St. We represent clients with cases in both Guilford County courthouses.

The First 72 Hours After an Arrest in High Point

1. Magistrate. After arrest, a magistrate reads the charges and sets the first release conditions.
2. Domestic cases. If the charge involves a spouse, former spouse, someone you lived with or a dating partner, a judge must set release conditions. If no judge acts within 48 hours of arrest, the magistrate does (G.S. 15A-534.1(a)). We can often get the case in front of a District Court judge early and get you released before the 48 hours are up.
3. First appearance. If you are still held, a district court judge must see the case within 72 hours or at the next regular district court session, whichever comes first (G.S. 15A-601(c)). A lawyer can appear for you (G.S. 15A-601(d)). See our first appearance page.
4. First court date. If you were released, your paperwork gives the date. Missing it leads to an order for arrest.

Why call today: police often want a statement in the first days. Video from businesses and traffic cameras is overwritten. Witnesses move. None of that waits for the court date.

What You Are Facing in North Carolina

North Carolina sentences by offense class and prior record. These are the starting points the law sets.

Staying in the lowest band of that grid is argued by your lawyer, not handed to you. The court can impose an active term equal to time you already spent in custody on the charge (G.S. 15A-1340.20(c1)), and probation conditions are set at sentencing.

The sentence is rarely the part that lasts. The conviction follows you into job applications, housing, professional licenses and immigration. That is the reason to fight the charge itself, not just the sentence.

How We Defend Criminal Cases in High Point

• We start with the stop or the search. If police did not have a lawful basis, evidence can be suppressed.
• We get the evidence early: body camera, dash camera, 911 recordings, store video, lab reports.
• We test the elements. Every charge has elements the State must prove. Missing one is a defense.
• We look for alternatives such as deferred prosecution or conditional discharge where the law allows them. They are available in some cases. Nobody at the courthouse offers them; a lawyer asks.
• We protect your record. Where a case ends in dismissal or a conviction later becomes eligible, we handle the expungement.

What a Criminal Defense Lawyer Costs in High Point

Most criminal cases are quoted as a flat fee. The fee depends on the charge class, whether it is a misdemeanor in district court or a felony headed to superior court, and whether the case is likely to need motions or a trial.

We quote the fee on the first call, before any work starts.

How to Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer in High Point

North Carolina’s professional conduct rules do not let any firm call itself the best or the top. Ask any lawyer you call:

• Who exactly will appear in court with me?
• How many cases like mine have you handled in the Guilford County courts?
• What is your first step on my case this week?
• Will you ask about deferred prosecution, conditional discharge or a reduction, and when?
• What is the fee, and what does it cover?

Your attorney

Partner

Jason Aycoth

Criminal Defense, Felony Charges, State and Federal Court

Jason handles criminal cases in state and federal court across North Carolina. He has served as Editor of the True Bill and was Commencement Speaker at Elon Law School's graduation.

• Former President, Greensboro Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Elected member, Criminal Justice Section, North Carolina Bar Association
• Selected to present the Wade M. Smith Award for Top Criminal Defense Lawyer in North Carolina

Read Jason's full profile →

Chad D. GarrettFounderJason AycothPartnerSean OlsonPartnerBrandon GoldsboroughCriminal DefenseStephanie GoldsboroughCriminal DefenseRebecca ElliottCriminal DefensePatrick BidwellCriminal DefenseSamantha HeplerCriminal Defense

What clients say

4.9 out of 5 from 587 Google reviews. A few recent ones:

Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law

4.9

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Thai Nguyen

3 weeks ago

i had a warrant on me, call this law firm Mr. Jason Aycoth, and the first time i spoke to him, he just make me feel at ease. Super friendly, down to earth and made me feel comfortable. No matter what happen i know he will fight for me with everythings he got. if you need help this is the one you want. . love this law firm. THE BEST

Autry Hinton

3 weeks ago

If I could give more stars I would! Greatest lawyer around, some might even say he’s a magician. Thank you Mr aycoth for your amazing services.

Char Frazier

3 weeks ago

Fantastic service from the very first call to the end

Ven Jonn

4 weeks ago

We can’t thank Jason Aycoth and Samantha Hepler enough for the help with our daughter’s case. From our first call with Jason Aycoth, they were professional, honest, and clear about what to expect. They answered our questions promptly, explained every step in plain language, and were well prepared at every stage. It was a stressful time for our family, and both Jason Aycoth and Samantha Hepler were calm, compassionate, and reassuring throughout. We’re grateful the case was dismissed and highly recommend Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson Law Firm to anyone who needs help.

Abdullah 65

1 month ago

Morgan Faries was professional, helpful, and supportive throughout my case. She explained everything clearly and made me feel comfortable during a difficult time. I truly appreciate all her help and highly recommend Morgan Faries.

Judy Rocom

3 months ago

Five stars isn't enough. Patrick Bidwell is exceptional! He answered every question and concerns I had, and Patrick had told me he was going to try and get me out of court quickly and not even 15 minutes later, the case was dismissed and I was out. I truly enjoyed having him represent me and working with him. I can't recommend Attorney Patrick Bidwell enough!

tracertevin

4 months ago

I can't recommend Stephanie Goldsbourgh highly enough. From the very beginning, she treated me with respect, honesty, and professionalism during one of the most difficult periods of my life. I was facing very serious criminal charges, and the uncertainty was overwhelming. Stephanie never made promises she couldn't keep, but she always kept me informed, answered my questions with patience, and helped me understand every step of the legal process. What stood out most was her calm, focused approach. While I was dealing with the emotional weight of my case, she remained grounded in the facts and worked diligently on my behalf. I always felt like she genuinely cared about my future and never treated me like just another client. Thanks to her hard work and dedication, my case was ultimately dismissed. I will always be grateful for the guidance, professionalism, and integrity she showed throughout the entire process. If you're looking for an attorney who is knowledgeable, honest, compassionate, and committed to her clients, I wholeheartedly recommend Stephanie. Thank you for everything you did for me.

Evelyn Torres

4 months ago

Morgan A. Faries is everything you could ask for in an attorney. From day one, she made us feel like we weren’t just another case. She genuinely cared about what our family was going through and always took the time to listen, understand our situation, and answer every question we had. Morgan is incredibly intelligent, knowledgeable, and knows exactly what she’s doing. At the same time, she’s compassionate, approachable, and easy to talk to. During one of the most stressful times for our family, she made us feel supported every step of the way. We always felt like she had our back and wasn’t afraid to fight for us. She kept us informed throughout the entire process, explained everything clearly, and made sure we knew what to expect. Her professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine care gave us so much peace of mind. Thanks to Morgan’s hard work and dedication, we achieved the best possible outcome for our family, and we will always be grateful for everything she did for us. Thank you, Morgan, for standing by our side when we needed it most. You truly made a difference in our lives. We wholeheartedly recommend Morgan A. Faries to anyone looking for an attorney who will genuinely care, listen, and fight tirelessly on your behalf.

Cindy Scandrett

5 months ago

We have used Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson twice for 2 different civil litigation cases. The attorney who represented my sister-in-law, Ryan Denver, handled both cases with professionalism and respect. We were constantly updated in the process. Mr. Denver was very compassionate and caring as he negotiated a very acceptable settlement and even secured a dismissal in one of the cases. I would recommend this lawfirm without hesitation.

Maddy L

5 months ago

Morgan Faries is absolutely an amazing woman, and lawyer. The respect, and the time to actually listen and hear you is astonishing. She made me feel so comfortable, and heard every word of mine even though I naturally have a very soft voice. That doesn't happen very often. The silent confidence she had was admirable. She took into account what was best for me and did everything she could to have the case ruled in my favor, even if it was agreeing to a settlement that still had the avenue I needed. This avoided the mental load that was definitely going to come of the trial. She actually cared about the person I was and the situation I was going through. Her only interest was hearing me, and actually understanding. Morgan Faries is extremely intelligent especially how she holds herself. I am very grateful I had her by my side to work through the legal system. I could not have done this without her. I do not write reviews often but this law firm and attorney Morgan Faries deserves an honest review of my experience and it was everything I had hoped when I secured them for help. Thank you again, Morgan Faries and Garrett, Walker, Aycoth and Olsen, Attorneys at Law.

Karen Williams

4 years ago

If you find yourself in need of an attorney I would highly recommend Hilary Hux! She and her entire team (Casey Robinson, Kristen Reese) were an absolute pleasure to work with from start to finish. They were always very attentive to my needs and always responded to any question or concern I had in a timely manner. The sincerity they displayed while handling my divorce case made a difficult time in my life more bearable knowing I had them on my side. Simply put they are a genuine group of people that do the absolute best job they can for their clients and words can't express how thankful I am to have had the experience to work with them.

Natasha Leake

5 years ago

Jason Aycoth and his team were so diligent in assisting my family with our legal issues. Communication was never lacking and they were always readily available to assist my family no matter what the need was. Not only was he very professional every time we spoke, he was also friendly and personable. I will be recommending Jason Aycoth to anyone I know is in need of legal services.

John Morris

5 years ago

Martha Massie is a fantastic lawyer. Her knowledge of the law, her thoroughness and attention to detail are superior. Most importantly, she cares about her clients which can clearly be seen by her hard work. I highly recommend Martha!

candace james

5 years ago

Chad Garrett is one amazing lawyer. He is very professional, charismatic, and gets things done no matter what. He has helped me time after time and is always in a pleasant disposition. So thankful to have met him and to have him on my side. Thank you Mr. Garrett.

Bill Dawkins

5 years ago

Casey Robinson worked with my wife and I making a name change for our grandson. Her knowledge and ability made the task easy to complete. We would recommend her services and call on her again if needed.

Charlie Gardener

5 years ago

I had a situation that needed to be resolved expeditiously. I call Jason Aycoth. He resolved the issue quickly. He treated me with the utmost care and respect. Everyone I spoke to in his office was courteous. I have attempted to get this matter resolved through other attorneys in the area. None came close to the experience I had with Jason and his team. I highly recommend you taking the time to hire Jason Aycoth. Jason my family and I are grateful for you! We send you the highest regards.

Sarah S

5 years ago

I was involved in an altercation that would forever change my life. I was referred to Jason Aycoth for help. Help wasn't all I received. Jason discussed my case with the DA. Together after reviewing my case, they took my personal record and military record into consideration. Next, a miracle was presented. Jason and the DA gave me a path to resolving my case and a path to clear my record. I've never had to use an attorney in this capacity but, rest assured, Jason Aycoth and his team earned a 5 star rating from me. I fully endorse and recommend him to any potential clients.

Sam Walker

5 years ago

Excellent staff! Very knowledgeable in family and personal injury. Would highly recommend to anyone!

Where we practice

High Point, Jamestown, Archdale, Greensboro, Summerfield, Oak Ridge and the rest of Guilford County. See all our High Point services. Call (336) 379-0539. Tell us what you were charged with and when your court date is.

Guilford County: Greensboro · High Point · Jamestown · Gibsonville · Summerfield · Oak Ridge · Pleasant Garden · Stokesdale · Whitsett · McLeansville · Sedalia
Also serving: Randolph, Forsyth, Alamance, Rockingham and Davidson Counties

Questions people ask

This page explains North Carolina law in general terms as of October 2026. It is not legal advice about your case, and laws and procedures change. Talk to a lawyer about the facts of your case.