Christopher A. Beechler

Chris Beechler is a board-certified specialist in state and federal criminal law in North Carolina. A lawyer can only earn this certification after demonstrating exceptional knowledge within the field coupled with sufficient experience in a range of legal actions, including trials and appellate experience. This distinction is held by only a handful of attorneys in the Winston-Salem area.

Chris Beechler has been practicing criminal law in North Carolina for over 20 years. He represents clients throughout North Carolina's state courts, all three federal district courts, and the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Chris represents clients charged with any criminal offense. He has tried dozens of jury trials to verdict in multiple jurisdictions. Recent trials include: Sex Offenses, RICO violations, and Homicide. Chris is a frequent speaker / presenter on various criminal law topics.

Chris Beechler has earned the AV Preeminent recognition of his peers in Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Ratings, an honor given to a mere 5 percent of lawyers in America. He is a dedicated lawyer you can trust with your liberties and livelihood.

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North Carolina

North Carolina State Bar

ID Number: 27708

Since 2001

4th Circuit

U.S. District Court, Eastern, Middle & Western Districts of North Carolina

Partner

Beechler Tomberlin, PLLC

2016 - Current

Owner

Law Offices of Christopher A. Beechler, P.C.

2003 - 2016

Wake Forest University School of Law

J.D. (2001) | Law

The Citadel

B.A. (1995) | English

Honors: cum laude

10 Superb Rating

Avvo

2023

Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

2023

Since 2014

Legal Elite

Business North Carolina

2023

Annual statewide ballot voted on by NC attorneys; 2011, 2016, 2022

Client's Choice Award 5.0/5.0

Avvo

2023

Since 2016

AV Preeminent

Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Services

2022

2013-2018; Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence

State Bar of North Carolina  # 27708

Member

Current

North Carolina Bar Association

Member

2001 - Current

Activities: Criminal Law Division: Chair 2011-2012; Vice Chair 2010-2011; Treasurer 2009-2010; Secretary 2008-2009

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

Member

2001 - Current

Protecting the Liberty Interest

North Carolina Bar Association Foundation - CLE

2013

Men Have Issues, Too!

North Carolina Bar Association Foundation - CLE

2009

Protecting the Liberty Interest, Criminal Issues with Audio and Video Recordings

2013

Criminal Law in NC, Annual Meeting

2011

Criminal Law for Family Lawyers, Annual Meeting

2009

Board-Certified Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Law

North Carolina State Bar

Q. can a 20 year old go to jail if he gets a 17 year old pregnant ?

February 6, 2023

A: No (usually). The age of consent in NC is 16. However, there are 2 general exceptions.

14-27.32. Sexual activity with a student.

(a) If a defendant, who is a teacher, school administrator, student teacher, school safety officer, or coach, at any age, or who is other school personnel, and who is at least four years older than the victim engages in vaginal intercourse or a sexual act with a victim who is a student, at any time during or after the time the defendant and victim were present together in the same school, but before the victim ceases to be a student, the defendant is guilty of a Class G felony, except when the defendant is lawfully married to the student. The term "same school" means a school at which the student is enrolled and the defendant is employed, assigned, or volunteers.

(b) A defendant who is school personnel, other than a teacher, school administrator, student teacher, school safety officer, or coach, and is less than four years older than the victim and engages in vaginal intercourse or a sexual act with a victim who is a student, is guilty of a Class I felony.

(c) This section shall apply unless the conduct is covered under some other provision of law providing for greater punishment.

(d) Consent is not a defense to a charge under this section.

(e) For purposes of this section, the terms "school", "school personnel", and "student" shall have the same meaning as in G.S. 14-202.4(d). For purposes of this section, the term "school safety officer" shall include a school resource officer or any other person who is regularly present in a school for the purpose of promoting and maintaining safe and orderly schools.

§ 14-27.31. Sexual activity by a substitute parent or custodian.

(a) If a defendant who has assumed the position of a parent in the home of a minor

victim engages in vaginal intercourse or a sexual act with a victim who is a minor residing in

the home, the defendant is guilty of a Class E felony.

(b) If a person having custody of a victim of any age or a person who is an agent or

employee of any person, or institution, whether such institution is private, charitable, or

governmental, having custody of a victim of any age engages in vaginal intercourse or a sexual

act with such victim, the defendant is guilty of a Class E felony.

(c) Consent is not a defense to a charge under this section. ... Read More

Q. can i ask a clerk of court why someone is on probation and terms of their probation

January 23, 2023

A: Yes. Most criminal files are public records maintained by the clerk of court in any North Carolina County. The clerk's office can provide case specifics about convictions, punishments and probation. You can also pay for a copy of a criminal file.

Q. I have a pending case ..I'm currently in drug treatment and my center sent in documentation. Now I dont see my case

January 10, 2023

A: If you didn't speak directly with the district attorney's office, you might have been marked absent in which case an order for arrest may have been issued. You can call the clerk of court of the county in which you're charged, and a deputy clerk can verify that for you. If there is an order for your arrest for failing to appear in court, you can hire an attorney to attempt to have the order recalled and to set a new court date.

Good luck!