DWI FAQ's

North Carolina's "Driving While Impaired" (DWI) laws are among the toughest in the country. Judges hearing DWI cases in Mecklenburg County have high conviction rates. This is why you should contact an experienced DWI defense attorney to review your case and assist you in court.

When you contact my office, you will be scheduled to watch my videotape which describes the DWI process from arrest to dismissal, acquittal, plea or conviction, and sentencing. It will answer many of your questions, as well as help you formulate questions to ask me when we meet.

Following the video presentation, we will meet to review your case and begin discussing possible defenses, if there are any. If you decide to hire me, I will give you several homework assignments (biographical and medical questionnaires) to complete and return. You will also receive a list of additional instructions that relate to obtaining a temporary limited driving privilege (if you are otherwise eligible). In addition to other helpful information, you will receive a list of cases involving "legal technicalities" to review and possibly relate to the facts of your case.
 On many cases, the arresting officer's vehicle is equipped with audio-video recording equipment, and we will order a duplicate copy for your review in my office. Sometimes the video can be helpful to your defense.

We can obtain your first trial date on your administrative court date (Courtroom 2205) if you haven't already done so. You will not need to appear in 2205, but you will need to attend any and all future court dates. Within a week or so of signing my "fee contract", I will mail you a copy of all of the relevant court paperwork in your case, and we can discuss it either on the telephone or in person, at your convenience.

On the first trial date, I will have my first opportunity to speak with your arresting officer and hopefully, review his/her notes about their observations of you. Following that, we will step outside of the courtroom into a conference room and discuss your case further. Unless you decide to "go ahead and get it over with" by entering a guilty plea at that time, we can usually continue (postpone) the case one time to allow you an opportunity to consider your options and discuss them further with me.

My job will be to "zealously defend you within the bounds of the law" and hopefully be with you and guide you through this difficult time in your life. Let me know if I may be of assistance to you ! Although there is no charge for our initial consultation, I will be better able to quote you fee(s) after hearing from you concerning the facts in your case