About deLambert Stone – Attorneys at Law, PLLC
deLambert Stone – Attorneys at Law, PLLC delivers focused criminal defense Sanford North Carolina representation to clients across Lee County and the Sandhills region of central North Carolina, from its headquarters at 311 N. Horner Blvd. in Sanford — walking distance from the Lee County Courthouse where criminal matters are heard. The firm handles the full spectrum of criminal matters from traffic violations and DWI through serious felonies, applying what it describes as a meticulous approach to protecting clients’ rights at every stage. Free initial consultations are available Monday through Thursday, 9 AM to 5 PM.
deLambert Stone’s practice also covers family law and general civil matters, giving Lee County clients a firm that can handle overlapping legal issues — such as a DWI that triggers both a criminal proceeding and a family court custody concern — without requiring clients to engage multiple attorneys. The firm serves clients throughout the Sandhills and central North Carolina, extending its reach beyond Lee County when clients have matters in adjacent jurisdictions.
Criminal Defense Sanford Practice Areas
Lee County’s court system operates through the Lee County Courthouse at 111 Chatham Street in Sanford, which handles both District Court and Superior Court criminal matters. North Carolina’s two-tier criminal court structure means misdemeanor and minor felony cases typically begin in District Court, while more serious felonies are heard in Superior Court. DWI cases — among the most common criminal matters in Lee County — carry significant consequences under North Carolina’s structured sentencing guidelines, including mandatory license revocation and escalating penalties for prior offenses. An attorney who regularly appears in Lee County criminal courts is positioned to identify suppression opportunities and negotiate outcomes that a less-familiar attorney might miss.
- DWI and traffic criminal defense
- Misdemeanor and felony criminal defense
- Drug charges and possession defense
- Assault and violent crime defense
What Sanford Clients Say
Clients who have worked with deLambert Stone describe a firm that brings genuine diligence and passion to criminal defense — values the firm explicitly identifies as core to its practice. For Lee County residents facing criminal charges, those qualities translate into thorough case preparation, careful attention to suppression issues, and consistent communication about case status and strategy.
Serving: Sanford and Lee County
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, DWI, drug charges, felony defense
Local Courts: Lee County District Court; Lee County Superior Court (Sanford)
Key Stat: North Carolina’s DWI law imposes structured sentencing levels (Aggravated Level 1 through Level 5) — even a Level 5 (least serious) carries a minimum fine of $100 and potential active jail time (N.C.G.S. § 20-179).
Key Resource: North Carolina Judicial Branch
Related Guide: Criminal Defense Attorneys in North Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
How does North Carolina’s two-tier court system work for criminal cases in Lee County?
North Carolina criminal cases are processed through two levels: District Court (for misdemeanors, infraction appeals, and some felony first appearances) and Superior Court (for felony trials and jury trials in serious misdemeanor appeals). In Lee County, both courts sit at the Lee County Courthouse in Sanford. A misdemeanor DWI or drug possession charge typically begins — and may be fully resolved — in District Court. Felony charges begin with a first appearance in District Court before being indicted and transferred to Superior Court. Defendants convicted in District Court have the right to appeal to Superior Court for a de novo trial before a jury.
What are the consequences of a DWI conviction in North Carolina?
North Carolina’s DWI sentencing structure assigns cases to one of six levels based on aggravating and mitigating factors. Aggravated Level 1 (most serious) carries a minimum of 12 months active jail time; Level 5 (least serious) carries a minimum fine of $100 and at least 24 hours in jail or community service. All DWI convictions result in a one-year mandatory license revocation. Gross aggravating factors — such as a prior DWI within seven years, driving with a child under 18, or a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or higher — can elevate a case to the most serious sentencing levels, dramatically increasing the potential sentence.
Can a criminal charge in Lee County be expunged in North Carolina?
North Carolina allows expungement in several circumstances. A first-time nonviolent misdemeanor conviction may be expunged after five years. A first-time nonviolent felony conviction may be expunged after ten years. Dismissed charges and not-guilty verdicts may generally be expunged immediately. North Carolina’s 2020 Second Chance Act expanded expungement eligibility, allowing older convictions and certain repeat offenses to qualify. The Lee County Courthouse processes expungement petitions for local residents. A criminal defense attorney in Sanford can assess whether a specific conviction or charge qualifies and guide clients through the petition process.


