
Russell W. DeMent III
RALEIGH CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER
Russell W. “Rusty” DeMent III is an experienced Raleigh criminal trial lawyer. He is dedicated to defending clients facing felony and misdemeanor charges in North Carolina’ at the state and federal level.
Rusty began his career in the Wake County Prosecutor’s office. There he honed the skill and experience necessary to defend citizens accused of serious crimes like murder, assault, property crime, and drug-related charges. His reputation for success in defending charges of DWI and related traffic crime has been earned through decades of experience in this fast-paced environment. Confident and poised, Rusty has a commanding courtroom presence and resourcefully adapts to variables on the fly. He possesses negotiation tactics necessary to secure the best possible outcomes for those criminally accused.
He is recognized as an AV Preeminent Peer Rated Lawyer by Martindale Hubbell. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America Criminal Defense Practice Section since 2019 and the DUI/DWI Defense Section since 2020, and is included year after year in Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite. Rusty is ethical, straightforward and aggressive in his defense and advocacy of his clients. He says, “I tell it like it is. I won’t hide the ball. If it’s bad, I’ll tell you. If there are some shots, we’ll take them. Everyone goes in with their eyes wide open."







333 Fayetteville Street, #1513
Raleigh, NC 27601-2950
(919) 833-5555
Education:
- Wake Forest University
- B.A. in History, 1994 (cum laude)
- J.D., 1997
Professional Recognition
- Raleigh DUI/DWI Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America, 2021
- North Carolina Super Lawyers, since 2020
- Business North Carolina Magazine Legal Elite, 2009, 2011-12, 2014-17, 2019, 2021, 2023
- Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Rated Lawyer
- Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense General Practice Section, since 2017
- Best Law Firms Criminal Defense: General Practice, Metro Tier 2, since 2018
- Best Lawyers in America, DUI/DWI Defense Section, since 2020
Admissions & Memberships:
- North Carolina State Bar 1997
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Wake County Bar Association
- North Carolina Bar Association
- DUI Defense Lawyers Association
- American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys
- National Trial Lawyer; Top 100 since 2014
- Trial Law Institute, Member
- Diversity Law Institute, Member
Lectures & Presentations:
- Campbell Law School, Motor Verhicle and Chapter 20 Law Class Guest Lecturer, since 2017
Fellowships:
- National College of DUI Defense, Fellow
- Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
- Barrister, Order of the Centurions
Community Engagement:
- CASA, Veteran and Disabled Homelessness
- Ducks Unlimited, Gold Sponsor and Volunteer
Employment Experience:
- Wake County Assistant District Attorney 1997-2000
- Dement Askew, since 2000