Winston Salem DWI Lawyer

Effective Representation for Clients Charged with DWI

An individual driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both may be charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). North Carolina is among the toughest states for DWI penalties and offenders may be charged with any of five levels of a misdemeanor, depending on the seriousness of the situation and whether this is the first offense.

The Winston-Salem DWI attorneys at Grace, Tisdale & Clifton can protect your legal rights and work to preserve your driving privileges, freedom, and reputation.

If you have been charged with drunk driving, call a Winston-Salem, NC DWI attorney at (336) 515-6552 to schedule your initial consultation.

What is Considered a DWI in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, the law prohibits driving or being in control of a vehicle when under the influence of any impairing substance. Drivers with a blood alcohol level of .08% or higher or any amount of a Schedule I controlled substance may be charged with DWI. This can have serious consequences, so it is important to hire an attorney with knowledge of DWI law.

Is DUI a Criminal Offense in North Carolina?

Although a DUI may only seem like a traffic offense to some, it is important to understand that it is a serious crime. In North Carolina, a DWI is a criminal offense. DWI charges can carry serious penalties including incarceration, fines, license suspensions, and more. In addition to potential jail time and significant fines, a conviction for DUI could result in other long-term consequences such as increased insurance rates, loss of employment opportunities, and difficulty traveling abroad.

What is The Penalty for DWI in North Carolina?

First Offense:

Up to 120 days in jail
Fines up to $200
License Revocation
Possible Probation

Second Offense:

Up to one year in jail
Fines up to $2,000
License Revocation
Ignition Interlock Device

Third Offense:

Up to two years in jail
Fines up to $4,000
License Revocation
Ignition Interlock Device

A DWI conviction can have a serious impact on your life and career. Your insurance rates may increase significantly, you could be denied insurance coverage, lose employment, be denied a job opportunity, or lose security clearance. Make sure you have a capable attorney who is dedicated to protecting your interests.

Will I Lose My Driving Privileges If Convicted of DUI?

North Carolina residents who are facing DUI charges likely have a lot of questions about how it will affect them if the court ultimately convicts them. The truth is, a DUI charge can affect you both personally and professionally. For example, you may lose your driving privileges temporarily or permanently.

How can I find out how long a suspension or revocation will last? Can I fight a suspension or revocation?

Suspension and Revocation Reasons and Timelines

According to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles, there are various reasons why the state may suspend or revoke your license. For DUI offenses, though, state laws are as follows:

First-time offense: If convicted on a first-time offense, license suspension or revocation may last one year.
Second-time offense: If convicted a second time, your license suspension or revocation can last four years.
Third or subsequent offenses: If you have three or more DUI convictions on your record, a judge may take away your driving privileges permanently.
Refusing chemical testing: If you refuse a breath, blood, or urine test, there is a mandatory license suspension period of one year.
Ignition interlock violation: If convicted of an ignition interlock violation, license suspension may last for one year.

Getting your license restored is a possibility, though, if you satisfy all the necessary requirements.

Field Sobriety Tests

The Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) is made of 3 individual tests:

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test
Walk-and-turn test
One-leg stand test

During the tests, the officer is looking for common signs the person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol such as loss of balance, slurred speech and not following the instructions

Fighting Suspension or Revocation

Fighting to have your license restored early is not easy. In some cases, mandatory suspension or revocation periods make it impossible. In other cases, there are timelines in place for which one can request a hearing to have one's case reviewed. For example, following a third or subsequent DUI conviction that results in a permanent loss of driving privileges, one can actually ask to have his or her license restored three years from the date of conviction.

If the judge dismisses your DUI charge but finds that the situation still affects your driving privileges, your legal counsel can help you take action to get them restored as soon as possible.

How Can A DUI Attorney In Winston Salem Help?

If you recently got charged with a DUI, an experienced lawyer can help get you through this challenging time. Your attorney will be responsible for thoroughly investigating your case, gathering evidence to support you, fighting for a favorable settlement and representing you in court, and so much more.

Here's how your DUI attorney can help:

Investigating your case and ensuring that all evidence being used against you is legitimate.
Gathering strong evidence to support your case.

Providing you with legal guidance in order to ensure that you are on the right track.
Being there to support you emotionally, helping to alleviate stress levels.
Representing you in court and advocating for you on your behalf.

Don't go through a DUI or DWI charge by yourself. Let our DUI attorneys in Winston Salem provide you with the expert legal support and guidance that you need to get you through this difficult time. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

A Strong, Effective Defense for Your DWI Case

A DWI conviction results in a permanent criminal record, so the consequences can follow you long after you have served your sentence. It may be possible to have the record expunged at some point in the future, but this is not always possible.

Whenever possible, it is better to avoid a conviction in the first place. Our Winston-Salem DWI lawyers advise our clients through the process and work to minimize the impact on their lives.

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Protect your freedom and driving privileges. Contact Grace, Tisdale & Clifton P.A. today at (336) 515-6552 for help from our DWI attorneys in Winston-Salem, NC.