Davie County DWI Lawyer

Davie County DWI Attorney

When you’ve been charged with a DWI, or driving while intoxicated, getting legal help quickly is important to protecting yourself. Without legal guidance, you may unknowingly say or do things that jeopardize your chance at successfully fighting your charges. Work with an experienced Davie County DWI lawyer to get the support you need.

Michael D. Cleaves understands how important it is to have quality legal representation in your case. Whether you were pulled over on a busy road like Route 61 or you crashed on a small side street, you deserve a legal advocate to represent you. Our office can help you create a plan that considers your unique needs and interests.

Consequences of a DWI Conviction

If your case goes to trial at the Davie County Courthouse and you get convicted, you may be wondering what penalties you might face. Penalties for DWIs depend on the severity of the charge and complicating factors. Common outcomes in Davie County, North Carolina include:

• Suspension of your driver’s license
• Expensive fines
• Jail time
• A felony conviction
• Substance rehabilitation programs

All of these penalties can have significant impacts on your life. They are intended to reduce DWIs, which can be quite common: state fiscal year 2022 saw 26,739 impaired driving convictions in North Carolina. However, they can also damage your plans for your future. You can hire a DWI lawyer to help you navigate your case and bolster your defense.

DWI Laws and Sobriety Tests

When a police officer pulls you over for a suspected DWI, they may ask you to participate in a variety of sobriety tests. Understanding these tests and your legal obligation to them is important to protecting your interests.

First are field sobriety tests. These are informal ways for police officers to measure intoxication, such as:

• Walking in a straight line
• Reciting the alphabet backward
• Balance tests
• Following a moving object with your eyes

It is important to know that you are not obligated to comply with these tests. Field sobriety tests are heavily subjective, and their validity can be further reduced by conditions like poor lighting, bad weather, or underlying conditions. While you are free to refuse these tests, keep in mind that your refusal might be used as evidence by the prosecution.

Chemical tests, on the other hand, are ones you cannot legally reject. These include breath, blood, and urine tests. North Carolina is an implied consent state, meaning that by driving a motor vehicle, you consent to participate in these tests if requested by law enforcement. Failing to comply can result in your license being suspended and other consequences.

Defending Against DWI Charges

There are strategies that your lawyer can employ to help defend against DWI charges. From illicit drugs to alcohol-related crashes, which Davie County had 35 of in 2022, these strategies can protect your rights.

Some common defense strategies include:

• Challenging Evidence: Field sobriety tests, unlawful search and seizure, and other improper conduct can all be challenged and possibly dismissed.
• Lack of Material Possession: If your DWI is related to possession of illicit substances, your lawyer can argue that you were unaware of the drugs and they were not yours.
• Reducing Charges: Sometimes, your lawyer might work to have your charges reduced to a less serious offense. This is a common strategy when there is overwhelming evidence against you.

When to Hire a DWI Lawyer

As soon as you’ve been arrested for or charged with a DWI, you should seek legal guidance. Protecting yourself and navigating your case starts the moment you first interact with law enforcement.

It is your defense attorney’s job to know the law and use it to advocate for your rights, regardless of your charges. We do this by:

• Explaining the legal information you need to know
• Challenging evidence brought by the prosecution
• Advising you on whether accepting a plea deal fits your goals
• Representing you in a trial and all negotiations

A DWI conviction can change the course of your life. Don’t leave such an important task to yourself. Get help from a legal professional who has handled cases like yours before, so you can feel confident that your case is in good hands.

FAQs

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

The cost of a lawyer for a DWI in NC will depend on the details of your case. The more complex the case, the more it is likely to cost. Before you hire a DWI lawyer in Davie County, you can ask them about their fee structure and how much they think your case is likely to cost.

How to Get a DWI Dismissed in NC?

There is no guaranteed way for a DWI charge to be dismissed in NC, but it can be done. Often, a defense attorney will focus on challenging the legitimacy of the way your arrest or evidence was handled. A significant lack of evidence from the prosecution can also lead to a case getting dismissed.

Are DWI Charges Felonies?

Some DWI charges can be felonies, but not all are. North Carolina tries to charge DWIs as misdemeanors when possible. Enough repeat convictions or other complicating factors can lead to you facing felony charges. If a DWI is involved in an accident that results in someone’s death, that also might be a felony case.

Do All DWIs Get Jail Time?

No, not all DWI convictions result in jail time. In fact, in fiscal year 2024 in North Carolina, 65% of DUI convictions received unsupervised probation. Jail time is still a possibility, especially in cases with previous convictions or other criminal charges related to the DWI. Your lawyer can advise you on whether jail time is a possible outcome of your case.

Decades of DWI Experience

At The Law Office of Michael D. Cleaves, PLLC, we have over 20 years of experience in criminal defense, including DWIs. We know the laws that govern this process across North Carolina, and the specifics of Davie, Iredell, and Alexander Counties.

When you need to defend against DWI charges, you need an attorney with experience and compassion. That’s what you’ll find in Michael D. Cleaves. Schedule a free consultation with us today to get the legal guidance you need to protect your rights and your future.

Davie County DWI Lawyer Reviews