Raleigh DWI Attorney

Criminal Law Firm for DUI and DWI Charges in Raleigh, NC

If you have been charged with driving while impaired (DWI) in Raleigh, you could be facing heavy penalties if you plead guilty or are convicted at trial. DWI charges will be filed if you are found to be driving a vehicle while your BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) registers at .08 or higher or if you are alleged to be under the influence of or affected by alcohol or a drug or medication that is believed to have affected your ability to safely operate your vehicle. There is a maximum potential fine of $10,000 that could be imposed for DWI. Underage drivers, commercial drivers and drivers who operate school buses or day care vehicles, face a zero tolerance policy - the legal limit is .00. There are further penalties that could be imposed beyond jail time and fines; you could have your vehicle forfeited if you have 4 prior convictions. Those who refuse the test will have an initial 30 day license revocation and subsequent 1 year or longer revocation, and the loss of the legal right to operate a vehicle for that period of time. Violations of the suspension or revocation of your license will lead to further serious legal problems and charges.

If you are stopped under suspicion of DWI, you can expect to face a frightening set of circumstances. You will be asked for your driver's license and registration. You may be asked and will be required to get out of your vehicle. You could be asked to perform field sobriety tests and take a preliminary breath test at the scene. If you are believed to be driving while intoxicated, either by alcohol or drugs or both, you could be then arrested, handcuffed, restrained and taken to a police facility for a breath or blood test, which will be administered at the facility. If your testing reveals that your BAC is at .08 or higher in this test, you will have your license immediately revoked for 30 days.

The Process

In most cases, the accused will be taken into custody, booked and your mug shot could be published for those in the community to view - causing embarrassment, with a heavy impact upon your personal and business reputation. A DWI offense is a criminal charge, and you will be required to enter a plea in court. Many people plead guilty and accept the heavy penalties that will be imposed by the court, including fines, jail time, mandatory alcohol assessment, education or treatment, as well as community service requirements that must be fulfilled within strict time limits. The repercussions for a conviction extend beyond the legal; you will face higher prices on insurance coverage, could have your ability to get certain types of employment compromised, and will face the costs involved in transportation, as you will be unable to operate a vehicle for varying periods of time.

Those who drive for a living or as part of their job description or duties are facing a serious legal situation. The loss of the ability to earn a living for those who drive for a living or have driving as part of their work duties is a legal problem that must be addressed by a legal professional, as early as possible after the arrest. If any children are believed to be endangered due to drunk driving, the legal system will come down hard. At Hopper Law Firm PLLC, our Raleigh DWI lawyer should evaluation your case on an immediate basis. There could be errors in your case that must be identified immediately so that the right defense actions are taken.

Defense against DWI charges: Don't take chances with your future.

Many people just accept the consequences, plead guilty and deal with the penalties. It is important to know that an arrest and charge of DWI does not necessarily lead to a conviction. You deserve to find out if you have viable options to defend your case, and many, many cases can be successfully defended if action is taken by a quality Raleigh criminal lawyer that has the experience and insight to identify the flaws in the case. Whether you are the victim of a rights violation in the initial police stop, were subject to errors in police procedure, roadside testing or other law enforcement mistake, our firm can develop a defense strategy that could benefit you.

Call our firm at once if you have been arrested and charged with DWI in Raleigh or the surrounding communities. We will take action for you immediately.