Heads Up: Operation Click-It-or-Ticket. Please be careful this Memorial Day Holiday. We wish all our friends a safe, healthy, and happy holiday weekend. If you are planning on driving anywhere, heads up: North Carolina is in the middle of a statewide “Click-It-or-Ticket” campaign. For the safety of you…
Impaired Driving Testimony. Manifestations of Alcohol Consumption and Proof. What is the Most Often Cited DWI Evidence? Alcohol breath odor is the most frequently cited observation by US police officers in alcohol related traffic offenses – Southern California Research Institute Strength of Odor Slight, Moderate, or Strong Probability of…
Does Eye Color Indicate Propensity for Substance Abuse? Are Blue Eyed Humans More Prone to Addiction Issues? Don’t It Make Your Brown Eyes Booze There are few greater “truths of court” known and accepted within the legal system than: A substantial amount, if not a majority, of poor decisions…
What are the Factors Considered in Punishments and Sentencing in DWI Charges? What are Grossly Aggravating Factor(s)? What are Aggravating Factors? What are Mitigating Factors? Sentencing in Driving While Impaired cases in North Carolina involves a balancing process of the “factors” associated with the particular offense. Our “NC DWI Quick Reference Guide” is a…
Attorney Bill Powers answers the Question: What Happens When I Call a Criminal Defense Lawyer? What Does It Cost? How Long Will It Take? What’s the Worst Case Scenario? I often say: Hold Up. Great Questions. Let’s start from the beginning and work through this – Bill Powers…
CLICK IMAGE TO READ MAGAZINE Powers Included on the 2016 “Top 100” North Carolina Super Lawyers List Powers Law Firm PA, a Charlotte-Metro law firm, recently received notice two attorneys for the firm have been included in 2016 North Carolina Super Lawyers Magazine. Bill Powers Included on the 2016 “Top 100” North…
Death by Vehicle Blood Testing in North Carolina involves a certain, although limited, amount of discretion by Law Enforcement. There are circumstances where blood sampling may be in addition to standard breath-testing on the EC/IR II. A combination of breath, blood and urine samples may be obtained in appropriate legal circumstances,…
Are DWI Breath Tests Ever Wrong? One of the best parts of my job is teaching Continuing Legal Education. Teaching is a great way to learn. Frankly, standing in front of a group of lawyers, prosecutors, judges or law enforcement can be more than a bit harrowing. Consider the fact…
Time Out! What is Probable Cause for NC DWI Cases? If you’ve been in District Court in North Carolina, most likely you’ve heard mention of two relatively recent cases that the Courts have been bantering about. “Have you heard about Townsend? That’s it, there is no such thing as PC…
Driving While Impaired cases are in-and-of-themselves complicated matters for presentation in court. When coupled with the loss of another human life, the consequences and potential for punishment(s) necessitate a careful examination of the law, facts and procedural history of the on-scene investigation. What happens in drunk driving fatality cases…