Mooresville DWI Lawyer

Mooresville DWI Attorney

Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a serious offense that should not be taken lightly. The consequences of this crime can be severe and long-lasting. If you have been accused of driving while intoxicated (DWI) and are facing charges, it’s crucial that you contact a trusted Mooresville DWI lawyer as soon as possible.

At Lassiter & Lassiter Attorneys at Law, our experienced criminal defense attorneys have successfully defended thousands of clients throughout the Tar Heel State since 1970. We understand the various complexities of the North Carolina legal system and diligently defend the rights of all of your clients to ensure that they receive as fair and favorable an outcome as possible.

What Is a DWI?

In the state of North Carolina, DWI is the legal term for driving while intoxicated. That includes driving or operating a vehicle under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or any illegal substances. If you are the legal drinking age of 21 years or older, you are legally prohibited from driving or operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.

In turn, anyone who is under the legal drinking age of 21 is prohibited from drinking any amount of alcohol, which makes driving with a BAC of anything over 0.00% illegal.

What to Expect After Being Charged With a DWI in North Carolina

If you have been officially charged with a DWI in North Carolina, you can expect to experience a specific sequence of events to occur, whether you are guilty or not. That is why it’s vital to understand the specific stages of the process. This way, you can prepare yourself and ensure that your constitutional rights to due process are upheld throughout.

Here is a breakdown of the typical stages of a DWI charge in North Carolina:

• Traffic Stop: The first step of any DWI case is a traffic stop conducted by a law enforcement officer. In order for law enforcement to lawfully stop you, they must have reasonable suspicion that you are breaking the law. At that point, the police officer will likely ask for your license, registration, and proof of insurance, just like any other traffic stop.
• Field Sobriety Test: If you are suspected by the police officer of driving while intoxicated or under the influence of illicit drugs, they will typically administer a field sobriety test for you to complete. This test involves both physical and cognitive elements to properly evaluate your condition.

The officer may also request that you take a breathalyzer test to measure your blood alcohol level (BAC). It’s worth noting that breathalyzer tests are not always accurate and can be challenged.

• Arrest: If you have failed either the field sobriety test or the breathalyzer test, it’s likely that you will be arrested on the scene for a DWI. Law enforcement will then transport you to the local police station to be booked and processed accordingly.
• Arrangement: Once you have been booked and processed, you will then be brought before a judge for a formal hearing. This is typically where you will be officially charged with a DWI. During this hearing, you and your lawyer will have the opportunity to either plead guilty or not guilty.
• Sentencing: If you decide to plead guilty during the hearing, you will likely be sentenced by the judge right there. If you plead not guilty, the case will proceed to trial. However, if you are found guilty of a DWI, the specifics of your sentencing will vary depending on your exact blood alcohol level (BAC) at the time of your arrest, whether it is your first offense or you have prior convictions, and many other relevant factors.

In order to protect your own safety, in addition to the outcome of your DWI case, it’s imperative that you cooperate fully and treat all law enforcement with respect throughout each of the stages listed above. If you have been arrested for DWI, it’s paramount that you contact a reputable DWI lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that your legal rights are properly upheld throughout the entire legal process.

Mooresville DWI FAQs

How Much Does a DWI Lawyer Cost in Mooresville, NC?

As with any legal case, the exact cost of a DWI lawyer in North Carolina can vary greatly depending on the overall severity and complexity of the individual case, the experience level of the attorney, and whether or not the case is brought to trial, along with many other factors.

Do I Need a Lawyer for DWI in NC?

In the state of North Carolina, you are not legally required to hire a lawyer for a DWI charge; however, it is highly recommended. An experienced DWI lawyer is able to collect relevant evidence pertaining to your particular case, provide you with sound legal advice, and negotiate with the prosecution, which could potentially reduce the penalties or even dismiss the charges altogether.

What Is the Statute of Limitations on a DWI in NC?

The statute of limitations on a charge of driving while intoxicated (DWI) in North Carolina is often two years. However, there are some exceptions, such as if the driver has been charged with a felony for habitual impaired driving. In North Carolina, felonies do not have a statute of limitations, meaning that a felony criminal case can be filed at any time.

What Is the Difference Between a DUI and a DWI in NC?

North Carolina recognizes Driving Under the Influence (DUI) as simply another form of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), regardless of whether it was caused by alcohol or illegal substances, according to the North Carolina Safe Roads Act of 1983. Therefore, the state does not legally recognize a difference between a DUI and a DWI.

Consult With a Reputable Mooresville Criminal Defense Attorney

Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of illegal substances carries strict legal, financial, and personal repercussions for anyone convicted of such charges. This is why it is vital that you or anyone who has been charged with a DWI offense consult immediately with a trusted criminal defense law firm.

Our dedicated team of attorneys at Lassiter & Lassiter Attorneys at Law has extensive experience handling criminal defense cases in Mooresville and throughout the state of North Carolina. Give us a call today to schedule a consultation with our team.