Lake Norman DWI Lawyer

Dedicated Lake Norman DWI Attorney

Driving while impaired (DWI) can have devastating consequences on your freedoms and driving privileges. If convicted, you may face DWI penalties such as jail time, fines, or license suspension. However, just because you have been arrested for DWI does not mean you are automatically guilty. A Lake Norman DWI lawyer can create a defense strategy that protects your rights and pursues mitigated charges.

Lassiter & Lassiter Attorneys at Law: Work With a Trusted Law Firm

At Lassiter & Lassiter Attorneys at Law, we understand how frightening it can be when charged with a DWI. From the moment you contact us, As your Lake Norman criminal defense lawyer, we are there to guide you through the criminal justice process and begin creating a customized defense strategy to increase the chance of positive outcomes, such as dismissed or reduced charges.

Mike Lassiter has over 30 years of experience defending the rights of those charged with DWI. Our firm’s decades of experience and deep knowledge of Lake Norman DWI laws allow us to provide strategic counsel during a DWI case.

An Overview of DWI Cases in Lake Norman, NC

North Carolina’s DWI laws outlaw driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. These cases are aggressively prosecuted due to the high risk involved with impaired driving. About 30% of traffic fatalities involve drivers with BACs over 0.08%.

In Lake Norman, a DWI case is typically handled in the county where the traffic stop occurred. If it happened in Iredell County, your case may be handled in the Iredell County Hall of Justice at 226 S Stockton Street, Statesville. If you were stopped in Mecklenburg County, your case may be heard at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse at 832 4th Street, Charlotte.

North Carolina’s DWI Penalties

DWI penalties can be severe. They can include consequences such as:

• Jail or prison time
• Fines
• License suspension
• Installation of an IID
• Alcohol or drug education or treatment

Beyond the direct penalties, you are also left with a permanent criminal record, which can affect your employment, professional licenses, housing, and other opportunities. Speak with a Lake Norman DWI attorney as soon as possible to negate these possible circumstances.

Potential Defenses in a DWI Case

Several defense strategies can be used to achieve mitigated charges and reduced penalties. A Lake Norman DWI attorney can evaluate the specific facts of your case to determine what defense strategy would be the most effective for your case. Some of the most common defenses to DWI charges involve:

• An illegal traffic stop. To conduct a traffic stop, officers must have a reasonable suspicion that you are breaking a law. In a DWI case, an officer often conducts a traffic stop after noticing erratic driving behavior, speeding, or violations of other traffic laws. If an officer did not have a valid reason to conduct the stop, the evidence collected from this stop may be excluded from court.
• An arrest without probable cause. Similar to the traffic stop, officers must have a lawful reason to arrest you. They often gather this through standardized field sobriety tests, breathalyzers, and observations of your behavior and appearance. You may include an illegal arrest in your defense strategy if law enforcement did not have probable cause for an arrest.
• A misadministered chemical test. Breath, blood, and urine tests can provide precise evidence, but there are reasons why a test may not be reliable. This includes whether the testing device was improperly calibrated, whether test samples were mishandled, or whether the samples were stored properly before testing. If you can prove that an error was made with the chemical test, it may mean that the results cannot be used against you.
• A prescription medication. If a drug test revealed that you had a drug in your system, and officers are arguing that that is evidence of impairment, presenting a valid medical prescription for the drug may help avoid charges.

FAQs About Lake Norman, NC DWI Laws

Is it Worth Challenging a DWI Case?

Yes, it is often worth challenging a DWI case. Defending against charges can lead to not-guilty verdicts or dismissed charges, which means avoiding criminal penalties. However, even if you are not able to avoid a conviction entirely, a strong defense may still help achieve reduced charges or lighter penalties. If you speak with a Lake Norman DWI lawyer, they can explain the benefits and potential outcomes of a defense for your case.

Can You Get a DWI Dropped in North Carolina?

Yes, you can get a DWI dropped in North Carolina, though it is not necessarily easy. For a case to be dropped, there must be a significant reason why the case should not continue, such as not enough evidence against you to reach a conviction, or if your constitutional rights are violated. If you hire a DWI lawyer, they can identify any reasons why your case may be dropped and build a defense strategy around this.

Do You Go to Jail for a First DWI in North Carolina?

You can go to jail for a first DWI in North Carolina, though this is not true of every case. Many first DWI offenses are classified as a level four or five offense, which results in between 24 hours and 120 days in jail. A judge may decide to forgo jail time in favor of other penalties, such as probation. In 2024, 24,694 DWI convictions were imposed in NC. 91% of level five offenders were sentenced to unsupervised probation.

When Should You Hire a DWI Lawyer?

You should hire a DWI lawyer as soon as possible after an arrest. When you are arrested, request to contact Lassiter & Lassiter Attorneys at Law, then remain silent, avoiding any questions about the alleged offense. Having a lawyer present after an arrest can help you avoid accidental self-incrimination, as they can communicate on your behalf. Working with a lawyer early can also allow them to gather evidence that may be used in your defense.

Reach Out to a Lake Norman DWI Attorney

Being arrested for DWI can be stressful and frightening, especially if it is your first encounter with the criminal justice system. At Lassiter & Lassiter Attorneys at Law, we are ready to help you take the right steps to defend against these charges. Contact us now for help safeguarding your rights and your freedoms during a DWI case.