A DWI charge is a serious charge in North Carolina that carries with it an array of potential consequences including jail, fines, probation, license suspensions, community service, alcohol treatment, alcohol monitoring (i.e. court ordered sobriety), ignition interlock systems for driving, increased insurance rates, career impact on either current or future job opportunities, and lots of added stress.
How can a lawyer help you on your DWI case? Here are just a few ways:
1. As a Legal Guide
2. With Complete Information
If you have a question about anything related to your case, you need an attorney that has the answers and is responsive. Your lawyer is in the business of providing information.
Ultimately you call all of the shots on your case. Should you plead guilty or take the case to trial? Your choice. Should you switch insurance companies? Your choice. Should you have a continuous alcohol monitoring device installed before court? Your choice.
While you call the shots, your attorney’s job is to explain the options available and the pros and cons of each. To make informed choices about your case, you want an attorney that provides you with the best possible information.
3. With the Driving Consequences
The driving consequences surround a DWI in North Carolina are convoluted and an attorney worth his salt can explain these clearly. An attorney can also help you apply for pre-trial and post-conviction limited driving privileges.
4. Gathering Evidence
Gathering evidence related to your case may be critical to determining whether or not to take your case to trial and deciding what attack points you have in your defense. Obtaining discovery (the sharing of information between the State and the Defendant) is often like pulling teeth in North Carolina.
Your attorney will know how to request and obtain video (from the intoxilyzer room at the jail, the dash camera, and body camera), officer reports, and other forms of evidence that may be necessary for defending your case.
5. During the Trial
If your case goes to trial it is essential to have an experienced DWI trial lawyer defending you to give you the best chance of success.
It’s important to start your journey with an attorney that has trial experience so that you can properly evaluate your best options at each stage of the case. An attorney that has never tried a DWI is going to have a more difficult time advising you on your chances of success at trial as well as helping you prepare for court.
Have more questions about DWIs?
You should spend some time reading through our frequently asked DWI questions page. Since our law firm specializes in DWI cases, we’ve heard almost every question before.
