With over 20 years of Criminal Defense and DWI experience, SLF has the necessary skills, knowledge, resources, and support staff to protect you and your family.
Not-Guilty
Sometimes it is just not possible and we will never advise a client to go to trial unless we believe there is a very good chance of success. In those unfortunate cases where our client had no reasonable defense and we pled guilty, most received:
- NO active jail time,
- NO supervised probation, and
- Fines of ONLY $200.00 or LESS.
Additionally, although the DMV requires the surrender of license for one year, we have obtained privilege licenses for the vast majority of our clients.
Although you may believe you have no defense, there is much more to a DWI than most people (and even most attorneys) understand. We will check to ensure every “i” was dotted and “t” was crossed. Our attorneys will advise you and present you with all available options.
Our experienced team will review all the facts in your case including, but not limited to:
Did the officer have a legal reason to stop you?
An officer cannot pull you over just because he/she feels like it. The officer must have reasonable suspicion or probable cause to believe you have broken the law. The North Carolina and United States Federal Courts continue to address the question, “what is reasonable suspicion to stop a motorist?” Knowing the courts’ current opinion(s) as well as their position at the time a peron was stopped is paramount in defending a DWI arrest.
Did the officer have probable cause to arrest you?
An officer cannot arrest you without probable cause. The odor of alcohol is generally not enough to satisfy the Courts. The officer may request you to perform various road side tests such as walking a straight-line, touching your nose, recite the alphabet, etc. The officer may also request you blow into a portable breathalyzer test. You don’t have to comply with any of this (although your privilege to drive in N.C. may be revoked for up to one (1) year. The officer may ask you if you have had anything to drink or consumed any illegal substances. You do not have to answer these questions. The officer will then make a subjective determination whether probable cause exists that you were (or were not) driving while impaired.
Did the officer follow procedure?
In addition to numerous procedures that must be adhered to; the officer must advise you of your right to refuse to give a breathe/blood sample, your right to have a witness present for the test, allow you access to a telephone.
With over 20 years of Criminal Defense and DWI experience, SLF has the necessary skills, knowledge, resources, and support staff to protect you and your family.