The County Attorney advises Carteret County officials and departments on legal matters and represents the County in court and legal negotiations. The attorney provides legal advice and answers questions relating to statutes, rules, regulations, or court interpretations. The office also drafts legal documents, researches legal precedents, advises officials on legal implications of actions, and studies County policies, procedures and actions to ensure compliance with the law.
The county attorney is directly appointed by the Board of Commissioners and serves at the pleasure of the Board. The Carteret County Attorney is Claud Wheatly III ("Rob"), of Wheatly Law Group. Rob has served as the County Attorney since December 1996.