Greenville DWI Lawyer

DWI Attorney In Greenville, NC

Police in Greenville, North Carolina, are all too eager to hand out traffic tickets and arrest folks for suspected DWIs. Whether you’re driving home from a night out with friends at bars along Evans Street or are headed to a family member’s house in Westwood, if you’re arrested for driving while impaired, you can face extremely high fines, driver’s license suspension, and even jail time. Thankfully, a Greenville DWI lawyer is here to fight for you.

For over a decade, the team at Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC has been assisting clients just like yourself defend against a wide range of criminal charges, including those for DWI. We have helped countless Greenville residents handle all aspects of their cases and are here to offer the skilled legal support you deserve. We approach each case by focusing solely on the needs and goals of the client and stop at nothing to reach the most favorable outcome possible.

Attorneys on staff are members of both the North Carolina and the South Carolina Bar Associations, helping clients up and down the Atlantic coastline. If you or a loved one is arrested for a suspected DWI, you need a legal team that is ready and fully prepared to fight for your rights. The penalties are high in these cases, and the team at Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC refuses to accept any kind of deal that they believe is unfavorable to their client.

Understanding a DWI Charge in Greenville, NC

In Greenville, North Carolina, it is illegal for anyone to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It is important to understand how impaired driving is defined when facing charges of this nature. When an individual is driving in an impaired manner, it means that their ability to safely drive their vehicle is somehow compromised by alcohol, drugs, or other similar substances, such as prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs.

Typically, the most common kind of DWI is a charge involving the use of alcohol. In North Carolina, along with most other states, a person can be considered legally impaired depending on their blood alcohol concentration level, or BAC. In North Carolina, these levels include the following:

• 0.08% or higher if you are a driver at or over the legal drinking age of 21 and are operating a normal passenger vehicle
• 0.04% or higher if you are a driver of any kind of commercial vehicle
• 0.00% or any kind of detectable amount for a driver under the legal drinking age of 21

Even in cases where your BAC is lower than these legal limits, the police officers involved in your traffic stop can still charge you with suspected impaired driving if you are showing signs of intoxication while behind the wheel of your vehicle. If you have been stopped and arrested for a DWI charge in Greenville, the legal team at Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC is here to defend you and protect your rights.

Your Rights in a DWI Arrest

In 2021 alone, there were around 37,860 charges for impaired driving, not counting cases of underage or commercial drivers. When you are stopped and charged with a DWI, it is important to be aware of your rights. In the heat of the moment, it can be easy to forget the rights you are afforded under law, but remembering them could prove to make all the difference in your case. These rights include the following:

• The right to remain silent. While it might come as a given, during an arrest, it can sometimes be difficult to remember that you have the right to remain silent. This means that you should only speak when it is necessary to do so. You should not answer any questions posed to you by the police, a prosecutor, or any other party until you contact an attorney. You should also avoid admitting any kind of guilt.
• The right to legal counsel and representation. You are also afforded the right to seek legal representation. As soon as it becomes possible, you need to reach out to the team at Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC from the police station and request a consultation. We can then meet you at the station and advise you during any kind of police questioning, interrogation, or during any arraignment.
• The right to collect evidence. In a DWI case, the police involved will likely point to any BAC test as proof that you were driving in an impaired manner. There are, however, reasons why these tests can be false or inaccurate. Your attorney from Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC can examine all the involved circumstances and help identify any evidence that could act in your defense.
• The right to defend yourself. Under the United States Constitution’s Sixth Amendment, you are awarded the right to face any kind of criminal charge in court. This can allow you to hear from witnesses and present your own evidence or witness testimony in your defense.

While a DWI charge can seem minuscule, the penalties that can arise from even a first or second charge could deeply and negatively impact your life and freedoms. In cases of third, fourth, or felony DWIs, having an attorney on your side and remembering and holding to your rights is not only crucial but also essential to maintaining any kind of personal freedom. At Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC, we are here to come alongside you and fight to protect you.

Hire a DWI Lawyer

When you find yourself facing a DWI charge in Greenville, it is important that you hire an attorney as soon as you can. At Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC, we are here to begin fighting for your rights and working to eliminate any penalties right away. Thanks to our years of experience, we can also start crafting a defense strategy for you that is personally tailored to your situation. When you work with us, we can take the following actions in approaching your case:

• Request that your charges be completely dismissed.
• Examine whether the police violated any of your rights during your arrest or booking.
• Challenge any kind of breathalyzer test by questioning the breathalyzer’s calibration and accuracy.
• Investigate to recover evidence that can prove your innocence
• Work diligently to seek a reduction in all charges you’re facing, help minimize the penalties involved, or secure any possible pre-trial intervention measures that may apply to your case
• Defend yourself before a court judge and jury, and fight to protect your rights from the penalties involved in a conviction
• Ensure that you understand everything that could take place in a trial, and ensure you are aware of all your legal options

At Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC, we are here to fight for you. No matter what, our attorneys are on your side and are ready to help you through this difficult time.

FAQs

How Much Does a DWI Lawyer Cost to Hire in NC?

It can be difficult to offer an exact number as to how much it might cost to hire a DWI lawyer in North Carolina, as there are several different factors that can come into play and impact the attorney’s final cost analysis. These factors can include the duration and complexity of your DWI case and the experience and skill level of your attorney. To find out how much your lawyer may cost, ask during your initial consultation.

What Are the Personal Consequences of a DWI Conviction?

There are many personal or collateral consequences of a DWI conviction in North Carolina. First, depending on your mode of employment prior to your arrest, you could find yourself without a job. In fact, convicted individuals face a 30% unemployment rate across the United States. You may also have to become reliant on friends and family for rides, which can place stress on these relationships.

What Mistakes Should I Avoid Making After a DWI Arrest?

There are several mistakes that can be made following a DWI arrest in North Carolina. It is vital that you do not say certain things to the police that could incriminate you or be used against you in a future case. You should also ensure that you do not wait to seek legal help and instead, get the support from a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

What Is an Ignition Interlock Device?

An ignition interlock device may be required to be installed in your vehicle for certain DWI convictions. This may also be a listed condition when trying to restore your driver’s license. An Ignition Interlock Device will require that you pass a breath test before you start your vehicle to make sure you are not impaired by drugs or alcohol. The time that an IID must be in place will likely depend on the number of DWI charges.

Speak To Our Greenville DWI Lawyer

If you have been accused of driving while impaired and under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you need to hire a DWI attorney as soon as possible. At Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC, we are here to help. Contact our offices today to learn more about our legal services and to schedule your initial consultation with a member of our legal team.