Mooresville First Offense DWI Lawyer

A DWI charge is stressful, and North Carolina laws regarding DWI are complicated. A conviction for a DWI can result in severe penalties, such as jail time, heavy fines, driver’s license suspension, and/or other consequences. If you face a DWI charge in North Carolina, a qualified Mooresville first offense DWI lawyer can help protect your legal rights and help you navigate the entire process efficiently. Jonathan D. Griffin at Griffin Law, PLLC, can help.

What’s a First Offense DWI Charge?

A Driving While Impaired (DWI) charge results when someone is accused of driving their vehicle after using alcohol and/or drugs, and they cannot safely operate their car because their motor skills are typically impaired.

A first time DWI charge does not mean that you are automatically guilty. You have options to resolve your case before a conviction. Even if you were over the legal limit, there are often ways to resolve charges without a conviction.

Are DWIs Common in Mooresville, North Carolina?

North Carolina routinely collects data for DWI occurrences. There were 11,639 arrests for driving under the influence in 2019. A significant number of DWI cases are dismissed, and an attorney can help increase the likelihood that your charges will be dismissed.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) notes that drunk driving-related deaths have increased by about 33 percent since 2019, and approximately 32% of all traffic incident-related fatalities in the U.S. involve drivers driving under the influence. However, the police are sometimes overzealous in trying to reduce Mooresville’s DWIs. An attorney can fully investigate your specific DWI situation and ensure that the police followed DWI protocol.

What Consequences Exist for A First Time DWI Offense?

In North Carolina, there are a few different possible consequences for a first offense. Penalties for a first-time DWI can include:

• Jail time
• Fines
• Probation
• Mandatory alcohol and/or drug education programs

If there aren’t any aggravating factors, an NC judge may order a Level 5 sentence, which carries a consequence of a mandatory minimum jail term of 24 hours and a maximum time frame of 120 days.

If a first time offender has a BAC level of 0.15% or more, it is considered an aggravating factor, and the consequences will be more severe, including a fine, driver’s license suspension, and incarceration.

With these serious penalties, there is a lot at stake. It is crucial to contact a trusted attorney to protect your legal rights. An experienced attorney can start working on your case and build a solid defense for a first offense DWI case.

Should I Hire A DWI Attorney for a First Offense?

If you were arrested for a first time DWI offense, it is critical to protect your constitutional rights. An attorney can make sure you were treated fairly and can:

• Ensure there was a valid reason for the DWI stop
• Make sure the police had a reasonable suspicion of impaired driving
• Investigate if appropriate sobriety tests were used
• Look for possible health code violations with your field sobriety tests
• Determine whether you were, in fact, driving the car

A knowledgeable attorney can help seek a not guilty verdict, lower fines, alternatives to incarceration, and driving privileges. If you are facing a first-time DWI charge, contact a skilled criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.

FAQs

Can I Represent Myself in Court for a First Offense DWI?

Yes, you can represent yourself, but that decision might be unwise. If you decide to represent yourself, the North Carolina criminal courts expect you to understand the rules of evidence and criminal procedure just as a licensed attorney would. The court cannot help with your DWI case and cannot give you any legal advice about your legal defenses, rights, or case outcome, all of which could be fully discussed with an experienced attorney to prepare for your DWI case.

Can I Get a DWI Charge Dismissed in Mooresville?

While it is possible to get your DWI charges dismissed in North Carolina, it usually depends on factors like constitutional rights violations during your arrest or serious errors in government evidence collection/processing.

A Mooresville DWI attorney can help decide if your case has sufficient grounds for a dismissal of charges. If they cannot find sufficient grounds, an attorney can often help reduce the consequences you might face and provide reliable legal assistance.

Is Jail Time a Potential Consequence for a DWI First Offense Conviction in Mooresville?

Yes, if you are convicted of a first time DWI offense charge in Mooresville, jail time is a possible consequence. However, North Carolina law doesn’t mandate jail time as a consequence, and the judge has discretion that often depends on the case circumstances, including aggravating factors such as reckless driving or having a high blood alcohol content (BAC).

An attorney can often reduce the likelihood of incarceration or explore alternate remedies like a BAC monitoring system or ignition interlock device.

What Kind of Attorney Can Help With a First Offense DWI Charge?

For a first offense DWI charge, consult an experienced criminal defense attorney familiar with DWI cases who has successfully resolved charges for prior clients. An attorney can help you navigate the complex criminal defense process, explore any available legal defenses, and help secure a dismissal or reduction of the penalties for a DWI.

Overall, an attorney can help develop a solid defense specific to your case. Our office provides free consultations to discuss how we can help you with your DWI charges.

For a DWI Offense – Contact Griffin Law, PLLC, Today for a Free Consultation

Jonathan D. Griffin at Griffin Law, PLLC, can explore all possible options for a first time DWI offense, including alternative sentencing or even plea bargaining to reduce the seriousness of penalties. Jonathan D. Griffin has 19 years of experience handling DUI cases in this area.

Our law firm is part of the historic area of downtown Statesville, with freeway access to I-77 and I-40. We have plenty of available client parking options.

Contact Griffin Law, PLLC, for a no-cost initial consultation with a knowledgeable attorney.