Wilmington Criminal Defense Attorney

Nearly Ten Years of Prosecutorial Insight Behind Your Defense

When you’re facing criminal charges, who you hire matters. Whitley Coleman, PLLC is a criminal defense firm serving Wilmington and the surrounding counties, built around two attorneys who have stood on both sides of the courtroom. Jessica Whitley Coleman and John Coleman are hands-on trial lawyers with years of practice and former prosecution experience. John’s nearly ten years as a prosecutor means we understand how the other side builds its case and where it can be challenged.

We’ve secured dismissals for charges as serious as felonies and built a track record of favorable outcomes across New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender Counties. For significant cases, both attorneys work on your file together to examine every avenue of defense.

“This is a Criminal Defense Attorney in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender Counties.” - Peter P. from our Google Business Profile

Contact our Wilmington criminal defense lawyers at Whitley Coleman, PLLC. Call (910) 218-9973 or reach us online. Your free initial consultation is the first step toward building your defense.

Criminal Defense Cases We Handle in Wilmington

Our criminal defense practice covers a wide range of charges across the Wilmington area and New Hanover County. Whether you’ve been pulled over for a traffic violation or are facing a serious felony, we work to protect your rights at every stage of the process.

Traffic Violations

A traffic charge in Wilmington can carry consequences far beyond a fine. Points on your license, insurance increases, and even a suspended license are all possibilities depending on the offense. We represent clients facing speeding tickets, reckless driving charges, and other moving violations throughout New Hanover County, working to minimize the impact on your driving record and your daily life.

DUI Defense

A DUI arrest in North Carolina triggers two separate processes: a criminal case and a license revocation proceeding. The two run on separate tracks, each with its own deadlines, and missing those deadlines can cost you important rights. Our attorneys understand how prosecutors build DUI cases from the traffic stop through chemical testing, which means we know where to look for weaknesses. We represent clients at every stage of a DUI case in Wilmington, from the initial hearing through trial if necessary.

Drug Crimes

Drug charges in North Carolina range from misdemeanor possession to felony trafficking, and the consequences scale sharply with the classification of the substance and the alleged quantity. We defend clients against possession, distribution, and related charges, drawing on our prosecution background to anticipate the strategy the state is likely to bring.

Violent Crimes

Charges involving allegations of violence carry some of the most serious potential consequences in the criminal system. We take on assault, battery, and other violent crime charges. Both Jessica and John work together on cases of this complexity, examining the evidence and potential defenses from multiple angles.

We also represent clients in other criminal matters throughout Wilmington and serve clients in Bolivia, NC through our Bolivia criminal defense attorney practice.