The aftermath of being arrested and charged for driving while intoxicated (DWI) can be one of the most frightening times anyone will ever experience. Potential penalties ranging from the loss of driving privileges to substantial fines and serving time in jail may justifiably cause a lot of sleepless nights for those here in North Carolina who are suddenly facing these allegations. Fortunately, those in these situations have professional support and guidance readily available to them, providing them with the ability to explore all of their possible legal options.
Anyone facing DWI charges also has the right to establish the best possible criminal defense strategy for their unique circumstances should their case go to trial. There are a myriad of commonly seen defenses for these cases, including the following:
- There were issues with the accuracy of a field sobriety test or how it was conducted.
- Law enforcement did not have probable cause or a justifiable reason to make the initial traffic stop.
- There was improper administration of the Breathalyzer test by the arresting officer.
- A misstep or error occurred during the administering of a blood test.
- The accused’s blood alcohol content (BAC) was the result of an honest mistake, such as taking a prescription medication.
In some rare instances, the diver’s BAC level was legal while he or she was behind the wheel, but then it rose to an illegal level by the time of the Breathalyzer test. While facing charges for driving while intoxicated is a serious matter, it’s important to remember that formal allegations are far from an actual conviction. An experienced North Carolina criminal defense lawyer can carefully evaluate all of the details involved in one’s DWI arrest to determine to best course of action moving forward.