Clifford and Harris Trial Lawyers Greensboro NC
Clifford and Harris Trial Lawyers Greensboro NC
If you are facing criminal charges in the Greensboro, North Carolina area, Clifford and Harris Trial Lawyers is a firm worth knowing about. The firm has been at the forefront of criminal defense in North Carolina since 1973. Established under the guidance of local and state defense legend Locke T. Clifford, the firm focuses on aggressive, high-caliber criminal defense for clients whose futures and liberty are on the line. Today, attorneys Andrew C. Clifford, Daniel A. Harris, and Aaron B. Wellman carry on that tradition, focusing exclusively on criminal law and defending individuals and businesses in all manner of felonies and misdemeanors, including DWIs. Together, these attorneys bring over 60 years of combined experience to the table, and the firm is the only one in Guilford County to boast two Board Certified Specialists in both state and federal criminal defense. The firm has also earned recognition as a Best Lawyers Tier 1 firm in the Triad for both Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White Collar crime. Whether you are dealing with a DWI, a serious felony, or a federal investigation, the firm offers a free consultation in most situations, accepts credit cards, and can work out a payment plan if needed. You can reach them at their office at 415 West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC, or by phone at (336) 574-2788.
Clifford and Harris Trial Lawyers was founded in 1973 by R. Walton McNairy and Locke T. Clifford, classmates at the UNC School of Law. What started as a two-person firm has grown into one of the most respected criminal defense practices in North Carolina. Today, attorneys Andrew C. Clifford, Daniel A. Harris, and Aaron B. Wellman bring over 50 years of combined experience to every case, representing thousands of business and individual clients in state and federal courts across the region. The firm focuses exclusively on criminal defense, and that focus makes a real difference. Both Locke and Andrew Clifford served as assistant district attorneys in Guilford County before shifting to defense work, which means the team understands how prosecutors think and how to counter their strategies. The firm is the only one in Greensboro with two attorneys who hold Board Certified Specialist status in both state and federal criminal law, a distinction held by both Daniel Harris and Aaron Wellman. Best Lawyers has recognized Clifford and Harris as the only Tier 1 firm in the Triad for both Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White Collar Crime. Beyond the courtroom, the attorneys and their families have served on community boards and supported organizations including Legal Aid of North Carolina. If you are facing criminal charges in Greensboro or anywhere in Guilford County, this is a firm with the experience, the credentials, and the track record to stand in your corner.
A DWI charge in North Carolina is serious. It can mean fines, jail time, a suspended license, and higher insurance rates. That is a lot on the line, and it is exactly why who you hire matters. Andrew Clifford is widely regarded as one of the best DWI lawyers in Greensboro, spending a considerable portion of each day in Greensboro and High Point courtrooms, fighting vigorously for his clients in trial and beyond. In 2022 alone, Andrew Clifford secured multiple not guilty verdicts and dismissals in DWI cases in district court. The team at Clifford and Harris takes a thorough approach to every DWI case, reviewing police reports, witness statements, body cam footage, and the circumstances of the arrest itself to look for any procedural errors or constitutional violations that could work in your favor. That includes examining whether the officer had proper cause to pull you over in the first place, whether field sobriety tests were given correctly, and whether any breathalyzer equipment was properly calibrated and maintained. The attorneys at Clifford and Harris will also represent you in court, cross-examine witnesses, challenge the prosecution's evidence, and negotiate with the prosecution on your behalf. With decades of experience and a track record that speaks for itself, this is the firm that other attorneys in Greensboro call when they need help. Call (336) 574-2788 to speak with the team, and in most situations you will receive a free consultation to get started.
A traffic ticket might not feel like a big deal at first, but it can quickly become one. Points on your license, rising insurance rates, and the risk of a suspension can add up fast, especially if you already have violations on your record. The traffic lawyers at Clifford and Harris Trial Lawyers apply the same level of diligence to traffic ticket defense as they do to the more serious criminal cases they handle, because they understand your need to keep your license and pay reasonable fines and insurance rates. The firm handles everything from speeding tickets and reckless driving to license suspensions, and they know how to dig into police reports, speed detection records, and dash and body cam footage to look for weaknesses in the state's case. They may be able to negotiate a reduction of a speeding citation to a nonmoving violation, which carries no DMV points and lower insurance rates, and even when full dismissal is not possible, the difference between a reduced charge and a full conviction can mean thousands of dollars in saved insurance costs and preserved driving rights. The firm also helps out of state travelers who pick up citations while passing through Greensboro on Interstate 40 or Interstate 85, college students, permanent residents, and commercial truck drivers who cannot afford to lose their CDL. The earlier you get Greensboro Traffic Attorneys, Clifford and Harris involved, the more options you have, since waiting until the last moment may close off negotiation strategies that could have made a real difference. Call (336) 574-2788 to schedule a free consultation and find out what your options are.
A criminal record can follow you for the rest of your life, showing up on job applications, housing screenings, and background checks. But in many cases, it does not have to stay there. Clifford and Harris Trial Lawyers handles a significant number of expungements, also called expunctions, each year, helping clients remove criminal charges from their records under North Carolina law. North Carolina law offers this opportunity to clean up a criminal record for school, employment, housing, or personal purposes, and there are several types of expunctions available depending on your situation. The attorneys at Clifford and Harris will review your record, identify which type of expunction you qualify for, and determine the best order of steps to get it done. This is a lengthy process that may require six months or more to complete, but it is largely a paper process and clients are usually not required to appear in court. It is worth knowing that the firm handles expunctions in Guilford County only, meaning the charges to be expunged must have occurred in Guilford County and been adjudicated there. If you have charges across multiple counties, the team will help coordinate the process and handle the Guilford County portion, sometimes working alongside another attorney to cover charges in other counties. The firm is well known locally for its expertise in helping clients with existing criminal convictions and dismissals clear their records through expungement. If you are ready to move forward with a cleaner slate, call Clifford and Harris at (336) 574-2788 to find out if you qualify.