Hon. Charles C. Merrell received his B.A. in Government from St. Lawrence University and continued on to graduate from Syracuse University College of Law in Syracuse, New York.

In 1985, prior to returning to Lewis County, Judge Merrell was admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He was an associate with the law firm of Callagher, Fox and Lampert, P.C. in Massachusetts for four years. Judge Merrell returned to Lewis County in 1989 and was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1990. He then began practicing with his brother, Edgar S. K. Merrell, 3rd, as fifth generation attorneys in Lowville.

In 1999 Judge Merrell was appointed and elected the Town of Lowville Justice as well as being appointed the Village of Lowville Acting Justice.

Judge Merrell was elected Lewis County Judge in 2002 and took the bench January, 2003. Judge Merrell is the fourth member of his family to be Lewis County Court Judge, Elida Merrell, Edgar S. K. Merrell, Nathaniel B. Merrell held the office before him.

Prior to taking the bench, Judge Merrell served as President of the Lewis County Bar Association and the Lowville Academy Alumni and Friend Association. In addition, Judge Merrell was a director for the North County Children's Clinic.

Judge Merrell resides in the Village of Lowville with his wife and four children.