Greensboro DWI Lawyer

Greensboro DWI Attorney

If you are convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI), it can lead to fines, imprisonment, the loss of your license, and many other collateral consequences. However, just because you were arrested for a DWI does not mean you will be convicted. A Greensboro DWI lawyer can protect your rights and, potentially, limit the consequences of a conviction or prevent one altogether.

Hire a Skilled Greensboro Criminal Defense Lawyer

It can be very stressful to be pulled over and arrested for a DWI, as you know the consequences can be significant. Driving while impaired is dangerous as well as illegal, and it has the potential to hurt many others on the road. DWIs are charged harshly as a result. However, you don’t have to navigate these charges alone. The team at Steven T. Meier, PLLC, can address your DWI case and determine the most effective way to secure the most favorable outcome.

Steven T. Meier has more than 15 years of criminal defense experience, and the entire firm has decades of collective experience. We believe that you deserve compassionate and exceptional legal representation. You may have made a mistake. The onsite officer may have performed unfair tests. Perhaps other factors, like the weather or your health, may have impacted a test for impaired driving.

No matter the issue, you need to get dedicated legal representation to avoid harsh penalties in your life. Our firm can fight for your interests and future in the Guilford County Courthouse, located at 201 South Eugene Street in Greensboro.

What Is a DWI Charge in Greensboro?

A DWI is the offense of operating any vehicle while impaired in a public location. Driving impaired in North Carolina includes:

1. Being under the influence of any impairing substance
2. Having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher in a chemical analysis, either while driving or at a relevant time after driving
3. Having any amount of a Schedule I controlled substance present in a blood or urine test

Because of these requirements, you could be arrested for a DWI without having a BAC of 0.08% or higher, but having a BAC under the legal limit can be used as rebuttal evidence in a case. In 2023, there were 15,346 DWI arrests in North Carolina. In Guilford County, there were 822 arrests for DWI in 2024, ranging from 18 arrests in April to 86 arrests in March.

Different drivers have different legal limits. Commercial drivers have a BAC limit of 0.04% or higher, and drivers under the age of 21 are given zero tolerance for alcohol or impairing substances. The consequences for any driver with a BAC over the legal limit can be serious.

What Are the Consequences of a DWI Conviction?

DWI conviction sentencing is dependent on the level of the offense. Level One is the most serious, and Level Five is the least severe. The potential penalties for these levels include:

• Level V: This DWI results in up to $200 in fines and imprisonment for between 24 hours and 60 days. Imprisonment can be suspended if specific conditions are met, including 24 hours of community service.
• Level IV: Penalties include up to $500 and imprisonment for between 48 hours and 120 days. Imprisonment may be waived for 48 hours of special probation or community service.
• Level III: A conviction for a Level III DWI results in fines of up to $1,000 and a jail sentence between 72 hours and six months. If the jail sentence is suspended, it will be based on conditions such as 72 hours of special preparation or community service.
• Level II: This results in fines of up to $2,000 and between seven days and 12 months of imprisonment. There are much stricter conditions to suspend imprisonment for a Level II DWI conviction.
• Level I: Penalties include up to $4,000 in fines, and imprisonment is between 30 days and 24 months. The lowest a judge can reduce the imprisonment term to is ten days.
• Aggravated Level I: This results in up to $10,000 in fines, and imprisonment will last between 12 months and 36 months. A judge can only reduce the minimum sentence down to 120 days.

A conviction also results in a criminal record and the potential suspension of your driver’s license, resulting in many other collateral consequences for your job and livelihood.

  Why Should I Hire a DWI Lawyer After an Arrest in Greensboro?

When you are charged with a criminal offense, you have the right to legal representation. Without an criminal defense attorney, you are more likely to be harshly penalized and convicted of a criminal offense. If you have exceptional legal support, there are several benefits they can provide you with, including:

• An in-depth understanding of the North Carolina and Greensboro criminal justice system, including filing requirements, potential motions, and deadlines
• Clear answers to your questions, which can be tailored to your unique case and circumstances
• Experience with DWI cases and the potential defenses that could be used
• Reviewing which defense is right for your case, such as an improperly administered test, a lack of probable cause, or evidence not following the chain of custody
• Access to resources, including expert witnesses, medical professionals, private investigators, and other individuals
• Advice on your options, such as entering a plea deal, filing motions with the court, pleading guilty, or pleading innocence
• A thorough investigation of the arrest and facts of your case
• Challenging the evidence that the prosecution has
• Negotiating with the prosecution to reduce or dismiss the charges

Whether it is your first DWI or not, the support of an attorney is essential for limiting the worst of the consequences associated with the offense.

Aggravating Factors in a DWI Case

A DWI case can become aggravated in several ways. A second, third, or subsequent DWI offense in a set period of time results in more severe sentencing. Other factors could be present in a first or subsequent offense that worsen the potential penalties, including:

• Driving impaired with a BAC of 0.15% or higher
• Exceptionally reckless driving
• Negligent driving that caused an accident
• Driving on a revoked license
• Prior vehicle offense convictions other than DWIs within five or seven years
• A conviction for speeding to avoid apprehension
• A prior offense of speeding 30 miles over the speed limit
• Passing a stopped school bus
• Other aggravating factors

Grossly aggravating factors are also considered, including:

• One or more prior convictions of a DWI within seven years
• Committing the DWI offense while on a revoked license
• Causing serious injury to another person because of impairment while driving
• Driving while intoxicated with a passenger who is under the age of 18, has the mental development of a child under 18, or has a physical disability that prevents them from leaving the vehicle

A judge must consider a case an Aggravated Level I offense if three or more grossly aggravating factors apply.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Lawyer Cost for a DWI in North Carolina?

A: The cost of a lawyer for a DWI in North Carolina varies significantly, depending on:

• The attorney you work with
• Their experience
• Whether your DWI is aggravated
• The case’s difficulty
• Whether it goes to trial

The cost of a specific attorney may be much higher or lower than the average, depending on the above factors. Always go over an attorney’s fee structure with them before hiring that attorney.

Q: Can You Hire an Attorney to Appear for You at DWI Court?

A: You can hire an attorney to represent you in a DWI case, but you will have to be present if there is a trial. Not all DWI cases have a trial. If you are resolving your DWI case through a plea bargain, you likely do not have to appear in DWI court, and your attorney can represent your interests. A DWI attorney can determine the options for resolving your case and whether you need to be present in court.

Q: Do I Need a Lawyer for a DWI Charge in North Carolina?

A: You aren’t required to hire a DWI lawyer in North Carolina, but it is strongly encouraged that you do so. The criminal justice system and the Greensboro DWI laws are complex, with many requirements, and you should not leave the result of a criminal charge up to chance. Just because you were arrested for a DWI does not mean you will be convicted. With an attorney, you can avoid being harshly charged, and you might even prevent a conviction entirely.

Q: Can a DUI Be Dropped in North Carolina?

A: Yes, a DUI could be dropped in North Carolina, depending on the specifics of your case and the options for your defense. Defenses such as lack of probable cause, improper field sobriety tests, or a failure in the chain of custody for evidence can be used to have certain evidence removed from your case. This could leave the prosecution with an insufficient case to charge you. When you work with an attorney, they can review your case to create the most ideal defense.

Establish a Strong Defense Against DWI Charges

There is still hope after a DWI arrest to protect your interests. The sooner you reach out to the attorneys at Steven T. Meier, PLLC, the sooner they can defend your rights and mitigate the consequences of any conviction. Contact our firm today to learn how we can help you.