Why Hire a DWI Attorney

You might think that DWI cases are always straightforward: police see a driver swerving or failing to maintain his or her speed, that driver is pulled over, a Breathalyzer shows that the driver is intoxicated, and the driver is charged with a DWI and must then face the penalties.

Although some DWI cases do proceed this way, there are nuances to North Carolina’s DWI law that can result in a driver charged with DWI having the charges reduces or in some cases even dismissed. This is why you need to work with an experienced Elizabeth City DWI defense attorney if you are facing a DWI charge in Eastern North Carolina. There could have been a misstep on the part of the arresting police officer or another reason why the charge is not valid. An experienced dwi defense attorney can review the evidence and advocate on your behalf in court.

Wide Range of Possible Sentences for DWI

In North Carolina, DWI charges vary significantly in severity level and potential penalties. A driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the arrest and whether an individual is facing a first time DWI charge or has a record of DWI convictions affect the level of the DWI charge and the penalties if convicted.

In North Carolina, a DWI is a misdemeanor charge, as described by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. These charges are graded from level 1 to 5, with 1 being the most severe and 5 being the least.

The penalties for a DWI conviction include fines and jail time, ranging from $200 to $4,000 and a minimum of 24 hours in jail to a minimum of 30 days. At all levels, the defendant may have his or her driver’s license suspended for a period of time and need to apply to have it reinstated.

Other penalties may apply as well if there are special circumstances, such as if the defendant is under the age of 21 or he or she was arrested for DWI while operating a commercial vehicle.

An Attorney Can Negotiate the Best Resolution of a DWI Charge

There are many reasons why hiring a DWI attorney to handle your case is in your best interest, including your attorney’s understanding of proper police procedure and the court process and ability to guide you. The most compelling argument for retaining an experienced DWI attorney is an attorney’s ability to negotiate on a client’s behalf to have the client’s charge reduced or dismissed if the facts of the case allow.

An attorney understands which pieces of evidence are important to a case and how to recognize errors on the part of law enforcement and the prosecution.

You do not want a DWI conviction on your record if you can avoid it. A skilled DWI defense lawyer may be able negotiate a plea arrangement to have the DWI charge reduced to reckless driving with alcohol involved, if it is your first drunk driving arrest and no one was injured. This is sometimes referred to as a “wet reckless” and typically has a lower fine and no jail time.

Work with an Experienced Elizabeth City, NC DWI Attorney

If you are facing a DWI charge in Elizabeth City or the Outer Banks, you should recognize that having an experienced DWI attorney guiding you improves your chances of achieving the best possible outcome of the DWI charges. At Glover Law Firm, we are committed to defending our clients’ cases to help them avoid serious DWI penalties. Do not wait to schedule your legal consultation with our firm. Contact an Elizabeth City DWI attorney today to get started.