About The Law Offices of Kelvin J. Atkinson, PLLC — Criminal Defense Gastonia North Carolina

The Law Offices of Kelvin J. Atkinson, PLLC delivers criminal defense Gastonia North Carolina residents and Gaston County families depend on when facing misdemeanor or felony charges in state court. Attorney Atkinson brings focused criminal defense counsel to a market where the stakes of a conviction — sentencing under North Carolina’s structured sentencing grid, a permanent criminal record, and potential loss of employment or housing — are severe and real. Gaston County processes thousands of criminal cases annually, and having an attorney who regularly appears before the Gaston County Superior Court and District Court matters enormously to case outcomes.

The firm handles a range of criminal matters, from DWI charges and drug offenses to domestic violence cases and serious felonies. Clients can reach the office at 704-271-1047 for an initial consultation. Attorney Atkinson also brings family law knowledge to clients whose criminal and family court matters intersect — a common reality in domestic violence and custody-adjacent cases. For more criminal defense resources serving Gastonia, visit /lawyers/north-carolina/gastonia/.

What Clients Say

Clients of the Law Offices of Kelvin J. Atkinson describe an attorney who takes their cases seriously and communicates the realities of North Carolina criminal procedure clearly. In a system where plea agreements resolve the vast majority of cases, clients value counsel who evaluates each matter honestly and advises on whether to accept a plea or proceed to trial based on the specific facts — not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Criminal Defense Gastonia — Practice Areas & Services

• DWI / DUI Defense: Handles driving while impaired charges in Gaston County District Court, including challenging breathalyzer results, field sobriety testing, and traffic stop legality under North Carolina law.
• Drug Offenses: Defends clients against possession, possession with intent, and trafficking charges at both misdemeanor and felony levels in Gaston County courts.
• Domestic Violence: Represents defendants in 50B protective order hearings and criminal domestic violence matters, including cases with overlapping family court proceedings.
• Felony Defense: Provides representation at arraignment, bail hearings, and jury trials in Gaston County Superior Court for Class A through Class I felony charges.
• Family Law: Handles divorce, custody, and support matters — with specific awareness of how pending criminal charges can affect custody proceedings under North Carolina family law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which courts handle criminal cases in Gaston County, North Carolina?

Gaston County has two levels of criminal courts. The Gaston County District Court, located at the Gaston County Courthouse at 325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Gastonia, handles misdemeanor criminal cases, DWI charges, and preliminary hearings for felonies. Felony cases that proceed past the probable cause hearing are tried in Gaston County Superior Court at the same courthouse complex. Sentences under North Carolina’s structured sentencing grid depend on the offense class and prior record level.

How does North Carolina’s structured sentencing affect a Gaston County felony case?

North Carolina uses a structured sentencing grid that assigns punishment ranges based on the offense class (A through I for felonies) and the defendant’s prior record level (I through VI). For a Class H felony — the most common felony class in state courts — a defendant with no prior record (Level I) faces a presumptive sentence of 5 to 6 months, typically served in probation. A defendant with an extensive record at Level VI faces an active prison sentence. An attorney can calculate your likely sentencing range before you decide whether to accept a plea offer.

Can a DWI conviction in Gastonia be expunged from a North Carolina record?

DWI convictions are expressly excluded from North Carolina’s expungement statutes and cannot be removed from your record regardless of how much time has passed. This makes mounting a strong defense at the outset — challenging the stop, the chemical analysis, or the officer’s observations — far more important in North Carolina than in states where later expungement is an option. An attorney who regularly handles Gaston County DWI cases can identify the most viable defense angles for your specific situation.