Greenville DWI Attorney
DWI (driving while impaired), also referred to as DUI in some other states, is the criminal offense of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In North Carolina, if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08% or above, you can be convicted of DWI, regardless of whether you showed any signs of intoxication at all. This is usually referred to as DWI “per se”, as opposed to a DWI which is charged because a person exhibits signs of intoxication and is driving recklessly or illegally, in which case he/she could be charged with DWI even if his/her blood alcohol concentration is below the legal limit.
Greenville DWI attorney Timothy E. Burch is dedicated to defending those who have been charged with driving while impaired throughout Greenville, North Carolina and the surrounding areas in Eastern North Carolina. If you have been arrested for DWI, it is a charge that is punishable by up to 2 years in prison and carries with it the penalties of fines, license suspension, community service, and counseling. Burch Law Office provides experienced DWI trial attorneys with the goal of avoiding any conviction, minimizing any penalties, and maintaining your privilege to drive.
To better serve our clients, former Pitt County Prosecutor Mark D. Stewart is an attorney with our office and draws upon his experience as an assistant district attorney to identify the legal issues in your case and mount an excellent defense to the charge of driving while impaired. Few lawyers have seen DWI cases from both sides of the courtroom, and Mark Stewart offers that perspective to clients of the Burch Law Office.
Defending DWI Charges in East North Carolina
North Carolina has strict laws when it comes to driving while impaired. For instance, if you are under the age of 21, North Carolina observes zero tolerance laws. If you have any amount of alcohol in your blood at all, you can be charged with a provisional DWI. In addition, North Carolina’s implied consent laws include enhanced penalties (such as immediate license suspension) for anyone who refuses breath or blood testing to determine blood alcohol levels.
Fortunately, there are defenses that your DWI lawyer can use. If your rights were violated during your arrest, if the officer did not have probable cause to suspect you of DWI and pull you over, or if there was an error in administering or evaluating your breath test or blood test, you may have a strong enough defense to have evidence suppressed or your case dismissed altogether.
Arrested for Driving While Impaired? Contact Greenville DWI attorney Timothy E. Burch and Greenville DWI attorney Mark D. Stewart today!