Board-Certified Attorney
Working With a North Carolina Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist
When your liberty is on the line, credentials and courtroom experience matter. Asheville defense attorney Dustin Dow is board-certified in State Criminal Law by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. Fewer than 1% of attorneys statewide hold this State Criminal Law Certification. With 15+ years of practice, more than 50 jury trials to verdict, and over 1,000 bench trials, Dustin brings proven trial skill and a former prosecutor’s perspective to every case.
What North Carolina Board Certification Means
The North Carolina State Bar created board certification to help the public identify lawyers who have demonstrated a high level of experience, knowledge, and skill in a particular field. Certification is an official recognition by the State Bar that a lawyer’s competence has been independently vetted. It is different from marketing awards or paid listings because it is administered by the State Bar and based on objective standards.
A board-certified specialist in State Criminal Law has substantial, recent involvement in criminal cases, completes focused continuing legal education, earns favorable peer and judge evaluations, and passes a rigorous written examination in the specialty. Specialists must remain in good standing, meet ongoing education requirements, and apply for recertification at regular intervals, which helps ensure current, practical knowledge of North Carolina criminal law and procedure.
How a Lawyer Becomes Board-Certified in State Criminal Law
- Active North Carolina Bar membership in good standing
- Substantial involvement in State Criminal Law over a sustained period
- Completion of specialty-focused continuing legal education
- Favorable references from judges and attorneys familiar with the lawyer’s work
- Successful completion of a written specialty examination
- Ongoing compliance with ethics and recertification requirements
Why Certification Matters in Your Criminal Case
- Tested knowledge of North Carolina criminal statutes, constitutional law, search and seizure, suppression, evidence, and trial practice
- Substantial, recent courtroom experience that translates into better motion practice, sharper cross-examination, and stronger negotiations
- Credibility with courts and prosecutors that comes from meeting rigorous State Bar standards
- Efficient case evaluation, including early identification of defenses, diversion options, and risks tied to prior record level and structured sentencing
- Focus on minimizing collateral consequences involving immigration, employment, licensing, firearms, and record eligibility
What You Can Expect When You Hire Our Firm
- Early action that protects you: bond advocacy, evidence preservation, and guidance on what to do and not do
- Thorough investigation of the facts: body-cam and dash-cam video, 911 calls, witness interviews, forensic and digital evidence review
- Strategic motion practice that targets weak stops, searches, identifications, and statements
- Negotiation focused on dismissals, reductions, diversion, and mitigation where appropriate
- Trial readiness with clear themes, expert use of rules of evidence, and persuasive presentation to juries in Asheville and across Western North Carolina
Criminal Cases We Handle
- DWI and DUI, driver’s license issues, DMV hearings
- Drug charges, including possession, PWISD, trafficking
- Violent offenses, including assault, robbery, homicide
- Domestic violence allegations, 50B violations, stalking, communicating threats
- Sex offense investigations and charges
- Theft and white collar matters, including fraud and embezzlement
- Guns and firearms offenses, including carrying concealed and felon in possession
- Federal crimes, including drug conspiracy, fraud, and firearm charges
Certification FAQs
Is board certification the same as being a specialist?
Yes. In North Carolina, “Board-Certified Specialist” is an official designation from the State Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization. It recognizes lawyers who have met rigorous, verified standards in their field.
Does certification guarantee a result?
No lawyer can promise an outcome. Certification does indicate verified experience and tested knowledge, which can translate into better strategy, stronger negotiations, and more effective advocacy.
How is board certification different from ratings or awards?
Board certification is administered by the North Carolina State Bar through an application, reference, and exam process. Most ratings and badges are private rankings or directories. Certification is the State Bar’s way of signaling that a lawyer’s competence has been objectively reviewed.
About Attorney Dustin Dow
- Board-certified specialist in State Criminal Law, North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization
- Former prosecutor and assistant district attorney in Henderson County
- 15+ years of courtroom experience, 50+ jury trials to verdict, 1,000+ bench trials
- Record of results in complex criminal matters throughout Western North Carolina
Talk to a Board-Certified Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you are under investigation or have been charged, put a board-certified specialist on your side. Call 828-214-5467 for a free consultation, or contact us online. We represent clients in Asheville, Buncombe County, and throughout Western North Carolina.