If you have been arrested for DWI meaning Driving While Impaired, you may feel you need to plead guilty and accept the consequences. However, we recommend you should never plead guilty without consulting an experienced DWI defense attorney first. In North Carolina DWI or DUI (Driving Under the Influence) is a very serious crime and you should not willingly admit guilt.
It’s important to understand before you plead guilty to knowing what the consequences of pleading guilty could be such as fines, loss of driving privileges, imprisonment, and exclusion from society. These are serious penalties, life changing in some cases. There may be strong reasons that the charges are wrong or not supported by evidence. Your DWI defense attorney can explain these defenses to you to challenge DWI allegations.
A DWI/DUI attorney like Raleigh North Carolina attorney Dewey Brinkley can mean the difference between going to jail or freedom. It can mean having a future where you can get a job or a loan, lease an apartment, or buy a house because you don’t have a criminal record that allows society to deny you access to these essential things. You have rights. Do not talk about the accusations without your lawyer. It will be difficult but you must try. As stated in the Miranda Warning “Anything you say can and will be used against you” and “You have the right to an attorney”
Effect of Pleading Guilty to a DWI Charge
If you are facing DWI charges, it is important to understand the effect of pleading guilty. Pleading guilty to a DWI charge can result in fines, license suspension, required community service, mandatory substance abuse evaluation and classes, and jail time. Furthermore a criminal history has an effect on getting a job, a loan, an apartment/house, maybe even a passport. After all, you’re confessing your guilt without a trial or due process. You do so without knowing what evidence the prosecutors might have and if it would stand up to scrutiny.
Instead it is best to talk with an experienced DWI defense attorney before considering a guilty plea to DWI/DUI charges in North Carolina. Your lawyer can also help build a strong defense and negotiate with the prosecution.
Common Defenses Against DWI Charges
There are certain defenses that can be used to reduce or even dismiss the charges. For example, one possible defense is arguing that the evidence collected was insufficient or unreliable. For example, if the breathalyzer device was not calibrated properly or the blood test was contaminated, the accuracy of the results can be called into question.
Another defense is challenging the officer’s probable cause for making the traffic stop. If the officer did not have a valid reason for pulling you over, any evidence gathered from that traffic stop may not be admissible in court.
Or it may be possible to argue that the signs of impairment were due to factors other than alcohol consumption, such as prescription medication or a medical condition.
There are any number of ways that DWI charges may be wrong and you should avail yourself of every possible chance to defend yourself.
When to Hire a DWI Defense Attorney After an Arrest
With a DWI arrest, it is important to hire a skilled DWI defense attorney as soon as possible to minimize the impact of a DWI arrest. As soon as you get a chance, call an attorney. Law enforcement will not make the wait pleasant so you have to be strong and patient. Do not submit to any additional testing if possible. And again, avoid talking or making excuses or trying to explain. Any statement may be misconstrued by prosecutors as admitting to being impaired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Let your attorney do the talking. An attorney like Attorney Brinkley know the law and will advise you and defend you.
Often, people who have been arrested for DWI may not know the full extent of the charges they face or the evidence collected against them, so a lawyer can help to review the specifics of the case and give sound legal advice. Effective DWI lawyers are often successful in reducing charges, which can help lower fines, court costs, and other expenses that you may face if you are convicted of a DWI/DUI.
At the Law Office of Dewey P. Brinkley, we are here to help you have the strongest defense against DWI charges in North Carolina possible.
Contact Raleigh DWI Defense Attorney Dewey P. Brinkley
If you’ve been charged with a DWI, it’s vital to understand that pleading guilty without seeking the advice of a DWI defense attorney can have dire consequences. The penalties both in the courtroom and out in the world with a criminal record make a conviction very dangerous. Do not take a chance. Obtain the best legal defense and fight that charge. Contact the Law Office of Dewey P. Brinkley at (919) 832-0307