James M. Lupton

Jim commits his practice to one area: criminal defense. From traffic offenses
such as driving while impaired to serious felonies, including homicides.
Jim has defended thousands of clients and in each and every case understood
and appreciated the importance and responsibility to each client. Jim
is committed to ensuring that the client achieves the best possible outcome.
Jim is the only lawyer in Carteret County certified by the North Carolina
State Bar as a specialist in State Criminal law. In 2010, his peers recognized
his expertise in the field of Criminal Law by voting to include him in the
Legal Elite in Business North Carolina Magazine.
Jim began his career as an assistant district attorney in Carteret County
and for his first five years prosecuted the vast majority of both felony
jury trials and misdemeanor trials in Carteret County
Jim is licensed to practice before the North Carolina State Courts, the
Federal District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and
the United States Supreme Court.
Jim grew up in New Bern, North Carolina, graduated with a degree in business
from Wake Forest University in 1987, cum laude, and received his law degree
from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1992. Jim is a
member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys (NACDL),
North Carolina State Bar, the North Carolina Bar Association, Criminal
Justice Section, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Criminal Defense
Section, 3B Judicial District Bar and has served as its president, Carteret
County Bar Association, Eastern North Carolina Inn of Court, and Lookout
Rotary Club.
Board Certified by the
North Carolina State Bar's Board of Legal Specialization
He enjoys surfing, hiking, coaching and traveling.
Examples of the kinds of cases that Jim most commonly handles are as follows:
- Traffic Offenses
- Driving While Impaired
- Drivers License Issues
- Controlled Substances (Drug) Offenses
- Assaults and Communicating Threats
- Larcenies and other Property Crimes
- Burglary, Breaking or Entering & Trespass Offenses
- Fraud & False Pretense Charges
- Robbery & Kidnapping
- Sexual Assaults
- Homicides
- Crimes Against the Public
- Wildlife Violations
- Fisheries Violations
Mr. Lupton's Team

Star Somers, Legal Assistant