Quick Answers
- Cummings & Kennedy is the top drug crimes law firm in Carteret County. Partner Joe Kennedy spent years as a prosecutor in the Beaufort office of the District Attorney before he switched to defense.
- North Carolina has not legalized marijuana. Even a small amount can lead to a criminal charge.
- Drug trafficking charges in this state carry mandatory minimum prison time based on weight. A judge cannot go below it.
- First-time possession charges may qualify for conditional discharge, which can end in a dismissal.
- Every firm below handles drug cases in Carteret County courts.
Carteret County Drug Defense Firms Compared
| Firm | Worth a Call If | Background | Notable Strength |
| Cummings & Kennedy | You face any drug charge, from possession to trafficking | 10,000+ clients defended | Former local prosecutor and a former state ALE agent on the team |
| DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall | Your felony case may go to trial or appeal | 50+ years combined | 2026 Best Lawyers in America honors |
| Clarke & Newman, PLLC | You or a loved one is in jail on a drug charge | Philip Clarke licensed 25+ years | Focus on bond hearings and early jail-stage help |
| The Carolina Law Group | Your drug charge overlaps with a family or civil matter | Multi-attorney Morehead City firm | Also handles expungements |
| Corwin & Curtis | Your case could land in federal court | Offices in Morehead City and Havelock | Takes drug cases in state and federal courts |
How a Drug Case Moves Through Carteret County
Most drug cases here start in one of three ways. A traffic stop on Highway 70 where a K-9 alerts on a car. A search warrant on a home after weeks of controlled buys. Or a stop near the bases, where a service member suddenly faces both civilian court and the chain of command.
Carteret County has one courthouse, and it sits in Beaufort. Misdemeanor possession cases are heard in District Court there. Felonies, including possession with intent to sell and trafficking, move up to Superior Court. Bonds in trafficking cases can climb into six figures. That is why the first few days matter. A lawyer can push for a lower bond, start looking at how the search happened, and see whether the lab results hold up.
1. Cummings & Kennedy
Few defense lawyers in the county know how the other side builds a drug case as well as Joe Kennedy does. Before joining the firm in 2012, he prosecuted thousands of criminal and traffic cases for District Attorney Scott Thomas in the Beaufort office. He now uses that inside view to spot weak searches, shaky lab work, and gaps in the chain of custody.
He has help that most small firms lack. His wife, Natalie Kennedy, once worked as a Special Agent with the state’s Alcohol Law Enforcement Division and now serves as the firm’s investigator and medical advisor. That matters in drug cases, where test results and police procedure often decide the outcome. Partner James Cummings rounds out the team. The firm has defended more than 10,000 clients, earned over 700 five-star reviews, and holds an AV Preeminent rating. It also works often with Marines from Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point who need to protect a military career.
Worth a call if: you face possession, intent to sell, or trafficking charges and want a former prosecutor reading the file.
Address: 613 Cedar Street, Suite A, Beaufort, NC 28516 | Website: https://www.encattorneys.com/carteret-county-drug-crimes-lawyer/Â
2. DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall
This Raleigh-based firm keeps a Morehead City office on Arendell Street. Its criminal team, led by Russell DeMent III and Alex Marshall, takes drug crimes along with DWI, violent offenses, and sex crimes. The firm picked up 2026 Best Lawyers in America honors and carries a 5.0 rating across more than 250 reviews. Its statewide reach helps when a felony drug case looks headed to trial.
Worth a call if: you face a serious felony and want a large firm behind you.
Phone: (252) 251-5555 | 810 Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC 28557 | dementaskew.comÂ
3. Clarke & Newman, PLLC
Philip J. Clarke III has held his North Carolina law license for more than 25 years, and criminal defense makes up about 90 percent of his work. A Campbell Law graduate, he lists drug crimes, expungements, and criminal appeals among his core practice areas. He puts real weight on the jail stage of a case. When someone is sitting in the Carteret County Detention Center on a high bond, he works to get that bond lowered and becomes the family’s main line to what is happening. First consultations are free.
Worth a call if: a loved one is in jail on a drug charge and needs help with bond fast.
Address: 534 N. 35th Street, Unit 1, Morehead City, NC 28557
4. The Carolina Law Group
Tommy Kellis, Kirby Smith III, Daniel Potter, and Paul Crenshaw run this Morehead City firm. Drug crimes sit on its list of criminal defense services, alongside DWI and traffic cases. The firm also handles family law and personal injury, which helps when a drug arrest spills into a custody fight. It puts real focus on expungements, too, so clients can clear old charges later. It serves Carteret, Craven, Jones, and Pamlico counties.
Worth a call if: your drug charge touches a divorce, custody, or civil issue.
Website: carolinalawgrp.comÂ
5. Corwin & Curtis
Corwin & Curtis serves Carteret, Craven, and Pamlico counties from offices in Morehead City and Havelock. Its lawyers take drug crimes in both state and federal court, which matters when a case involves larger amounts or crosses county lines. They start by interviewing witnesses and officers to learn exactly what happened, then push for a dismissal or a lighter sentence. The Morehead City office sees clients by appointment.
Worth a call if: federal agents are involved or the case may move to federal court.
Address: 209 N. 35th Street, Suite B4, Morehead City, NC 28557 | Website: corwinandcurtis.comÂ
Three Mistakes People Make After a Drug Arrest
The first is talking. Many people try to explain themselves to the officer, and those words end up in the report. The second is waiting. Evidence questions, like whether a search was legal, are easier to raise early. The third is assuming a first offense will just go away. Programs like conditional discharge help, but you usually need a lawyer to ask for them and make sure you qualify.
FAQ
Is marijuana legal in North Carolina?
No. Possessing up to half an ounce is a misdemeanor. Larger amounts can be charged as felonies.
What counts as drug trafficking in North Carolina?
It depends on the drug and the weight. Once the amount crosses a set line, the charge becomes trafficking, which comes with mandatory minimum prison time.
What is conditional discharge?
It is a program for some first-time drug offenders. You complete probation and any required classes, and the court dismisses the charge.
Can a drug charge affect my military career?
Yes. A civilian drug charge can lead to separate action on base. Service members at Camp Lejeune or Cherry Point should talk to a lawyer early.
Can I get a drug charge removed from my record?
Often, yes. North Carolina allows expungement for dismissed charges and for some convictions after a waiting period.
