Driving While Intoxicated in North Carolina

Raleigh DWI Defense Attorneys

North Carolina DWI (known in other states as DUI) laws are some of the strictest in the nation. If you have been charged with drunk driving in Wake County or any county in the Raleigh area, contact the Sparrow Law Firm to schedule a free initial phone consultation with a skilled and uniquely experienced DWI defense attorney.

Founding attorney Michelle Sparrow is one of the few North Carolina members of the National College for DUI Defense, a national organization for lawyers who work to stay up to date on current laws related to driving while impaired (DWI) by the influence of drugs or alcohol.

What the State Must Prove

The must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that each element of the crime — that you were operating a motor vehicle on a public street or highway while subject to an impairing substance such as alcohol or drugs.

Examining the Facts of Your Case

When Sparrow Law Firm handles your defense for DWI charges, we will investigate all known facts such as the reasonableness of the stop, whether you were arrested at a checkpoint, the breath test or other field sobriety test that you took and other issues.

What can we investigate?

Many field sobriety tests may give little real insight into whether you were drunk. Does a portable breath test (PBT), a horizontal gaze nystagmous test, a one-leg stand test, a walk and turn test, a sway test, a ABC’s or counting test, a finger-to-nose test really prove that you were intoxicated? Or might there be another, reasonable explanation? Breathalyzer and Intoxilyzer machines need to be properly calibrated and can be subject to human error.

Did you refuse the Intoxilyzer test?

If you refused to take an Intoxilyzer test downtown, you may automatically lose your driver’s license for a year. However, you may request a DMV hearing to try to get your driver’s license back. If you lose at this first refusal hearing, you can appeal or, after six months you may be eligible for a driving privilege.

Potential Consequences of a DWI conviction

If you are convicted of DWI, your penalties may include jail time, community service, loss of driving privileges, and fines.

Drunk-driving cases can be time consuming and challenging. Whether you are facing prosecution for your first, second or third offense, you need the assistance of an experienced Raleigh DWI attorney. When we take a DWI defense case, we do so with the intention of trying the case if that is necessary to win the fairest possible outcome for the defendant.

To schedule a free initial phone consultation with an experienced North Carolina personal injury attorney and criminal defense lawyer, contact the Sparrow Law Firm.