Criminal defense attorney Bill Powers is known among lawyers in Charlotte NC as a polite, yet hard-nosed veteran criminal lawyer in the courtroom. “Make no mistake, obtaining justice for citizens facing a DUI in NC or a felony criminal indictment is an uphill battle. The goal of the our members of our law firm is to fight to the best of our abilities, while also being courteous to our opponents,” Charlotte DWI lawyer Powers says. “Since 1992, it is something I have focused on every day that I walk into a North Carolina courtroom.”
As NC DWI laws in North Carolina continue to evolve, so does Powers’ law firm’s driving under the influence law practice. Powers continues by saying, “Regardless of whether I am in Mecklenburg County, or in a smaller county like Moore County, our North Carolina criminal laws are the same. Because a NC traffic ticket constitutes a misdemeanor, our criminal lawyers in Charlotte NC make an effort to advise each client of the possible impact of a conviction on his or her driving privileges.”
“Plus, we want clients to know the possible impact on their employment opportunities. The members of our Charlotte NC law firm offer our clients experience, dedication, hard work, and compassion for the practice of criminal law in North Carolina.”
North Carolina Statewide Law PracticeAs a Founding Partner he is a big fan of living and practicing in the Tar Heel State. “The State of North Carolina is wonderful. I love traveling to different courts, working with a wide variety of North Carolina lawyers, judges, prosecutors, and the local court personnel. For me, it is refreshing to walk into a new jurisdiction for the first time and possibly make new friends in the legal community and find a solution for my client to a tough legal problem.”
“I can think of no more fulfilling area of law practice than as a criminal justice attorney,” says Powers.
Powers Law Firm PA has one convenient Charlotte, NC law office location that is covered by the only member of our law firm with dual Bar membership, attorney Chris Beddow. “While we may focus on the Charlotte Metro region and surrounding counties, Chris and I have no problem traveling to any part of North Carolina or South Carolina, to help people in trouble with the law.”
Bill adds, “I have practiced criminal law and tried felony and misdemeanors cases in many courts in all parts of North Carolina. I don’t worry about local politics or personalities. I try each case based on the North Carolina code and the facts presented by the case. The law is the same in Murphy as it is in Manteo.”
A Lawyer and a TeacherAs a Charlotte lawyer he makes a point to share what he knows, both with the members of his Charlotte NC law firm, and with other criminal attorneys across North Carolina and in other states. “One of the more rewarding aspects of my professional life is helping other attorneys. I don’t believe in hiding information or courtroom experiences that can benefit other legal professionals.”
At his law office, Bill regularly updates his associates, on seminar speakers and presentations from out-of-state legal seminars.
Bill spends the most time as a teacher, to assure that the criminal attorneys are able to deliver the same level of dedicated legal services to the clients of Powers Law Firm PA.
These connections and relationships, when added to the partners’ networking efforts, build a labyrinth of goodwill for Powers Law Firm PA.
With Chris’s dual-state Bar memberships (SC and NC), these briefings are of extreme value, due to the interplay between the sister states, on fast-changing criminal law topics such as new developments in implied consent law for accused citizens penalized for refusing a breathalyzer, under NC DWI laws, as impacted by two landmark US Supreme Court case decisions, Birchfield v. North Dakota (2016) and Missouri v. McNeely (2013).
Though he spends most of his time in the courtroom, Founding Partner Bill Powers keeps up in the classroom, too. “The best way to learn is to teach. Helping explain criminal law, criminal procedure, and successful courtroom techniques forces me to be on the forefront of North Carolina law and current legal issues. There is always room to learn from others and become a better lawyer.”
Passion for Helping ClientsCharlotte attorney Powers views his job as an opportunity to counsel clients through difficult times. “My passion is to help people, not judge them,” he says. “I take my legal advocate responsibilities seriously. People trust me to find solutions for their worries, concerns, and lives. I absolutely must be there for them.” It’s that simple.
Leader in the Legal Community In 2016, North Carolina criminal attorney Bill Powers was elected President of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, serving in that position during 2016 – 2017. “One of the most special of all honors in my lifetime, being selected by my peers as President of NCAJ is at or near the very peak of my lifetime achievements. It was an incredible honor to serve as the organization’s President.”
Outgoing NCAJ President Powers says, “The wisest professional decision I ever made was to join and participate in efforts of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, for making improvements to our state’s outreach, education, and diversity – and connecting basic legal services for those less fortunate citizens in North Carolina who are in need of legal aid.”
“Lawyers in North Carolina cannot practice law in a vacuum. Members of the legal profession must engage and share with those struggling North Carolinians who cannot protect themselves in the criminal justice system.”
Awards, Certifications, & Recognitions- Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” CRIMINAL DEFENSE: GENERAL PRACTICE Charlotte, North Carolina 2017
- Top 25 in Charlotte – 2017 Charlotte Super Lawyers
- Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy / National Board of Legal Specialty Certification
- Founding Member of the DUI Defense Lawyers Association
- Included in Business North Carolina Magazine, “Legal Elite 2017”
* For more information regarding membership information and criterion for inclusion to Super Lawyers North Carolina, Best Lawyers, and Business North Carolina “Legal Elite” see:
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