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What You Need to Know About DWI in NC
No one plans on going to jail for “drunk driving.”
Getting arrested for DWI can be traumatic, especially if you’ve never been in trouble before and have a clean record with NC DMV.
The possibility of getting arrested and the consequences of a conviction are too often ignored until something bad happens.
Some people don’t see themselves at risk, not understanding Driving While Impaired in North Carolina is not the same as “drunk driving.”
"My heart breaks when I watch videos of DWI arrests, often seeing the very moment when clients realize the full weight and impact the allegations of impaired driving charges are going to have on their life."
- Bill Powers, NC DWI Defense
To be clear, you do not have to be “drunk” to be handcuffed and taken down to the jail. In fact, not everyone is arrested or taken to the jail.
The NC DWI laws refer to the offense simply as “impaired driving,” for the most part leaving out the commonly used acronyms “DUI” or “DWI.”
"It can be hard not to play out an arrest over-and-over in your mind. Our jobs as DWI defense lawyers is to redirect that focus to ‘the now’ and the future."
- Bill Powers, DWI Attorney
Are there legitimate defenses to the charges? What other charges are there? What is the past driving history? What is the likelihood of a dismissal? What happens if you are convicted? Is a plea bargain an option? Will you lose your license? Is jail possible? What about probation?
Those are the questions we thoroughly investigate and provide thoughtful answers to.
That’s what we do as DWI defense lawyers.
What Should I do Next?
Part of addressing an arrest for DWI charges should include a realistic assessment of what you face and your legal options.
There is a lot incorrect information out there, especially on-line.
Given the severity of the offense and the public disdain for DUI charges, it’s not unusual for people accused of impaired driving to scramble a bit, feverishly searching for ways to get themselves out of a bad situation.
It doesn’t matter if you face allegations of DWI in Charlotte or Murphy or Manteo for that matter, we think retaining criminal defense lawyer is a really good idea.
Our lawyers and law firm are here to help.
We help guide clients through the process, explaining the best-case and worse-case scenarios, and helping you to make an educated decision on whether to take a case to trial or to enter a plea.
Do I need a lawyer for a DWI? Our answer is a resounding “yes.” That’s true even if you want to enter a guilty plea.
DWI charges are both serious and complicated. We think you should have a lawyer standing by your side in court who knows what they’re doing.
Choosing the Right LawyerLicensed to practice law in 1992, Bill Powers has substantial experience helping people with DWI charges and other criminal charges in North Carolina.
Former president of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and recent recipient of the prestigious McMillan Distinguished Service Award, Bill Powers has dedicated his professional career to helping people through difficult times.
Known for his straightforward, but kind demeanor, Bill is an effective advocate for clients.
"We ask a lot of questions, making sure clients understand from the outset DWI charges in North Carolina are both very complicated and very serious. The quicker we can get clients up-to-speed on the NC DWI Laws the better."
- Bill Powers, Criminal Defense Attorney
The criminal defense lawyers at the Powers Law Firm PA are dedicated to compassionate, thoughtful legal representation.
We understand each case, like each client, is unique.
We empathize with the very real worries and concerns you may have.
We provide an honest assessment of the case and realistic options.
We don’t sugarcoat the facts or the DWI laws.
In an era defined by Google searches, we regularly respond to clients who reference statutes.
I’ve Never Been in Trouble Before. I Don’t Believe in Drunk Driving"It is frankly at times difficult having clients either tell us what the law is or tell us what they think the law should be. But that too is part of the process of educating clients about the realities of the legal system."
- Bill Powers
Prior to getting arrested for DWI, most people readily offer, “I don’t believe in drunk driving.”
Frankly, no one does.
No one in their right mind thinks it’s a good idea to have too much to drink and get behind the wheel of a vehicle.
And there lies the problem.
Alcohol affects the brain, changing how people think and act.
After only one drink one of the first things to become impaired is higher-order decision-making.
Drinking alcohol doesn’t make you a bad person.
Consuming alcohol can cause you to forget who you are, what you’ve been taught, and to do things that, in an ordinary state of mind, you’d never do.
"That’s one reason so many clients feel compelled to tell me, ‘I’m not a bad person. I’ve never been in trouble before."
- Bill Powers, DWI Defense Attorney
Clients also occasionally don’t understand that you can be impaired by substances other than alcohol including both legal and illegal substances.
Free DUI/DWI Reference Guide
