Kings Mountain, NC DWI Lawyer

Kings Mountain, NC DWI Attorney

You probably don’t know what steps to take after getting a DWI in Kings Mountain. The first thing you should do is connect with a Kings Mountain, NC, DWI lawyer. You need a good Kings Mountain criminal defense attorney who knows NC DWI laws and has a successful track record defending NC DWI cases. Don’t underestimate the potential impact that a DWI conviction can have on your life, current and future.

Hire a DWI Lawyer Who Is a Skilled Investigator

The Law Firm of Brent D. Ratchford has over 25 years of experience defending Kings Mountain DWI cases. Laws change all the time, but we are well-informed and stay up-to-date on DWI laws in NC. We can meticulously investigate your case from your first contact with law enforcement, through any testing, the arrest, the booking, and thereafter. Once we evaluate all of this, we can determine the ideal approach to take based on what we already know.

NC DWI Laws

North Carolina is known for having strict criminal laws, and DWI laws are no exception. When an individual is arrested for any offense, they have certain rights. In some cases, law enforcement doesn’t honor those rights. A good Kings Mountain DWI attorney can recognize these errors and often get charges dropped.

When it is not possible to get charges dropped, it may be easier to get them reduced. By negotiating with the prosecution, DWI penalties can also be reduced. A skilled lawyer who is familiar with the judicial climate at the Cleveland County Courthouse, located at 100 Justice Place in Shelby, can help you. A seasoned local attorney often has an established rapport with the district attorney, which can make negotiations flow more easily.

Types of DWI Defense Strategies

One of the most common defense strategies is proving non-compliance with the Intoxilyzer 5000. An intuitive DWI lawyer understands how to scrutinize traffic stop reports when these devices are used to test alcohol levels in drivers. This is because there are a lot of issues with this device. In fact, NC is phasing out use of the device and replacing it with the Intoximeter EC/IR II.

The new device is a more technologically advanced piece of equipment, which means it may be more accurate at testing for blood alcohol content. However, with more technical machinery comes more room for error and equipment malfunction. It doesn’t take much to void the test results of any breathalyzer, mostly due to human error.

Another common DWI defense strategy in Kings Mountain is a lack of probable cause. This is a more effective defense when the defendant is stopped for a routine traffic stop. It doesn’t work as well for random DWI checkpoint stops. If law enforcement stops a driver, they must reasonably believe the driver is breaking a law, or an arrest may be thrown out due to a lack of probable cause.

NC DWI Convictions

There are around 26,000 DWI convictions made each year in NC. That’s 71 DWIs per day. If you drink and drive in NC, there is a chance you’ll end up with a DWI charge. Approximately 400 people die each year in NC due to alcohol. The purpose of DWIs is to get impaired drivers off the roads before they hurt themselves or someone else.

Why Choose Us?

If you have done the research, you might have noticed that there are a lot of DWI attorneys who promise things that seem too good to be true. The Law Firm of Brent D. Ratchford tells clients the truth. We explain the potential outcomes of their case, even if we have to be blunt. These are serious charges that can resonate in your life for years to come. We treat every case with the utmost importance. This level of commitment is evident in our client reviews and success stories.

FAQs About Kings Mountain, NC DWI Law

How Much Does a Lawyer Cost for a DWI in NC?

A lawyer for a DWI in NC does not have a set cost per se. A DWI attorney can range in price depending on different variables of a case. Some things that can affect the cost of a DWI attorney include the complexity of the case and the number of prior DWIs the defendant has. A more complex case or more prior DWIs would require more legal attention and would, thus, cost more.

Is It Possible to Beat a DWI Charge in NC?

Yes, it is possible to beat a DWI charge in NC. In fact, the strict protocol that state laws impart on such things as breathalyzer calibration, arrest procedure, and citizen rights creates a lot of opportunity for a well-informed attorney to prove non-compliance of the officer. When there is even the smallest error found, the whole case can get thrown out. It takes a skilled DWI attorney to win these types of cases.

What Is the Lookback Period for a DWI in NC?

The lookback period for a DWI in NC is seven years for a misdemeanor DWI conviction, in practice, and 10 years for a felony DWI conviction. A lookback is the potential for a subsequent DWI charge to incite a judge to look back on prior convictions. If the defendant has one or more prior DWIs, the judge is obligated to apply certain charges according to the number of prior offenses on their file during the lookback timeframe.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a DWI in NC?

Yes, you definitely need a lawyer for a DWI in NC. It is not required by law, but rather a necessity for mitigating the DWI penalties you’d be facing otherwise. It is highly recommended that anyone charged with DWI in the state obtain professional legal counsel to advise them, represent them, and protect their rights. If you are not a resident of NC but got a DWI while visiting the state, you too need an NC DWI attorney on your side.

Partner With a Champion Law Firm

If you hire a DWI lawyer, don’t just hire any DWI lawyer in Kings Mountain. The Law Firm of Brent D. Ratchford has extensive experience in NC courtrooms and a deep understanding of state laws. Get to know us by contacting us online or calling our office. Our past and current clients appreciate our straightforward approach to criminal defense, and we are confident you will as well.