Reasons to Hire a Skilled DWI Lawyer as Soon as Possible After Your Arrest

How an Attorney Can Help You in Your DWI Case

It is a bad idea to just plead guilty and take your punishment in a DWI case. The penalties could include a possible jail sentence, hefty fine, driver’s license suspension, and requirement that you install an interlock ignition device on your vehicle. In addition, there are many long-term consequences, such as increased insurance rates, points on your driving record, and a permanent criminal record. Here is how an experienced DWI attorney can help you avoid some of these harsh outcomes:

Identify your defenses. A lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation regarding the circumstances surrounding your arrest and review the evidence against you. This will enable him to identify the defenses you may have. As in other types of criminal cases, you may have strong defenses—even if you are guilty. For example, the police may not have had probable cause to stop you, or your field sobriety or breathalyzer tests may not have been conducted properly. These defenses may result in key pieces of evidence being ruled inadmissible and the prosecutor’s case against you being significantly weakened.

Understand the law and procedures. An attorney who handles many DWI cases in Charlotte will understand both North Carolina’s statutes and case law that apply in your case. This will enable him to be up-to-date on possible defenses that can benefit you. In addition, he will understand the court procedures that must be followed and how the judge assigned to your case handles DWI cases in general.

Explain your options. You need to understand what you can expect to happen in your criminal case, the strengths and weaknesses of your defenses, and how a DWI case works before you attend your court hearing. A skilled DWI attorney will be able to explain all of this to you so that you are prepared for what is to come and can make the best decisions about your case.

Enter into a plea agreement. Depending on your circumstances and the defenses in your case, it may be beneficial to enter into a plea agreement with the prosecutor. An attorney will have handled many cases with the prosecutor assigned to your case and will know the best way to approach negotiations so that the charges are reduced and the penalties are minimized as much as possible.

Retain experts. You may need to retain expert witnesses to support your defenses or to challenge the prosecutor’s evidence against you. An attorney will have a network of qualified experts that will be good witnesses that may be helpful in your case.

Conduct your trial. If you decide it is your best interests to take your case to trial, you need an experienced attorney who has handled many trials to represent you. Conducting a trial is complicated. A lawyer will understand the court procedures that must be followed, how to properly introduce evidence that supports your defenses, and how to effectively cross-examine witnesses.

How to Find an Experienced DWI Attorney

Once you decide that you need to hire a lawyer, it can be overwhelming to find an experienced one that is right for you. If you are like most people, you may have never retained an attorney or been charged with a crime before. Here are some key steps to take:

Obtain recommendations. If possible, obtain recommendations of attorneys from co-workers, family, friends, or lawyers who have represented you in other matters. If this is not an option, you may be able to obtain a referral from a state or local bar association.
Research attorneys. Another way to locate an attorney is to do an internet search. Whatever way you obtain the names of lawyers, you want to look at their website for helpful information, testimonials from satisfied clients, and case results of cases they have handled successfully. You can also check online for any disciplinary proceedings against your choices and other sites where clients may have posted reviews.
Interview candidates. After you narrow your choices, you should take advantage of the offer of a free consultation that many DWI attorneys offer and schedule a free consultation with a few at the top of your list. You can use this meeting to learn how they would handle your case and determine whether this is a person that you can trust and communicate well with.

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Our Approach To DWI Cases

WE WILL GET YOU DRIVING AGAIN

Simply being charged with DWI in North Carolina often results in your driver’s license being revoked for a minimum of 30 days. However, we can typically get your driving privileges reinstated almost immediately. We do this by either, first, challenging this civil license revocation, or second, getting you a limited driving privilege.

Defend My Case

WE WILL GATHER EVIDENCE

Whether you realize it or not, a considerable amount of evidence exists regarding your DWI charge, much of which is vital to an effective defense of your case. We will review your court file, subpoena necessary documents, videos, and notes, and file the appropriate pretrial motions in a timely manner.

Defend My Case

WE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU IN COURT

As former prosecutors, we are aware of all the potential defenses that may be available to you. We do not automatically assume you intend to plead guilty and face the harsh consequences associated with a DWI conviction. We pledge we will examine every possible defense and take your case to trial if it is in your best interest.

Defend My Case

WE WILL MITIGATE CONSEQUENCES

While it’s our goal to win every DWI case we have, it’s simply not possible for any attorney to win every time. If you are ultimately convicted of DWI, we will help you take every step possible to reduce the potential penalties, such as avoiding jail time, keeping you driving, reducing monetary costs, and more.

Defend My Case

Reasons to Hire a Skilled DWI Lawyer as Soon as Possible After Your Arrest

How an Attorney Can Help You in Your DWI Case

Let Our Experience & Knowledge Help You Obtain The Best Possible Outcome For Your Unique Legal Situation.

How to Find an Experienced DWI Attorney

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Our Approach To DWI Cases