Raleigh DWI & DUI Lawyer

Committed to Defending Your Rights After a Drunk Driving Charge in Wake County

Driving While Impaired, also known as a DWI, is a serious crime in Raleigh with severe punishments awaiting those convicted. While first-time DWIs are usually classified as a misdemeanor, repeat offenders are frequently charged with a felony. North Carolina has a 7-year look-back period, meaning that the DWI will stay on your record for seven years and if you commit another drunk driving offense within the seven years, you can receive severe fines and more jail time. This is why you need the help of a Wake County DWI or DUI attorney.

Just a few of the potential consequences of a DWI or DUI conviction in North Carolina include:

• Having your license suspended for 30 days
• Up to 60 days in jail
• Fines
• Difficulty securing employment, housing, education, and loan opportunities in the future

A mega firm isn't what we are at Cotten Law Firm. Attorney Jeremy Cotten is committed to helping his clients in any way he can. In our eyes, our clients go beyond names and paychecks. In our efforts to defend our clients' rights and defend their freedom, we are proud to be passionate allies.

Defending Clients against DWI & DUI Charges in Raleigh and Wake County

There are several opportunities for your Raleigh DWI lawyer to defend you from the harsh consequences of a conviction.

According to North Carolina’s DWI/DUI laws, it is up to the prosecution to prove the following:

• You were driving;
• You were driving on a public highway, street, or parking lot; and
• Your physical and/or mental faculties were “appreciably impaired” as a result of an impairing substance, OR your BAC (blood alcohol concentration) was at or above the legal limit of 0.08%

There are several possible defenses which we could employ on behalf of someone charged with DWI, depending on the unique circumstances of their case.

What is the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in North Carolina?

If you are pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving and your BAC tests above the legal limit, you may be arrested for DWI. The legal limit varies depending on the driver as there are three categories by which BAC is judged:

• For drivers 21 years of age or older, the legal limit is 0.08%
• For commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04%
• For drivers under the age of 21, any alcohol concentration is worthy of DWI charges

Some of the most prevalent defenses against DWI charges include:

• Inaccurate field sobriety tests and/or the inaccurate administration of those tests
• Illegally stopping an individual or vehicle without reasonable suspicion
• Improper seizure
• Conflicting evidence from witnesses
• Extenuating circumstances to explain a failed roadside sobriety test (such as injury, anxiety, or exhaustion

DWI Lawyer Near Me

If you're asking yourself "Where can I find a DWI lawyer near me?" in Raleigh, Wake County or the surrounding areas, contact our Raleigh DWI attorney at Cotten Law Firm.

Related Reading

• Why is a habitual DWI charge so bad?
• Can You Get A DWI If You Aren’t Moving?
• What Is the DWI “Lookback” Period?
• Could Taking Prescription Drugs Lead to a DWI Charge?