DWI/DUI

Before making a DWI arrest in North Carolina, officers must carefully document specific observations, testing procedures, and legal justifications. These records form the foundation of a criminal case and determine whether prosecutors can move forward. DWI arrest documentation NC typically includes the reason for the traffic stop, signs of impairment, field sobriety testing results, chemical […]

Blood testing in a North Carolina DWI case depends on strict handling and storage controls. When those controls fail, alcohol can form inside the vial after the blood draw, producing results that no longer reflect the driver’s condition at the time of driving. This issue is central to challenges involving improperly stored blood samples NC […]

Blood testing plays a central role in many North Carolina DWI prosecutions, but its reliability depends on strict scientific controls. One overlooked issue involves the ratio of chemical preservatives inside blood collection vials. These preservatives are intended to prevent clotting and fermentation, yet incorrect amounts can distort blood alcohol concentration readings and raise evidentiary concerns. […]

Officers may request a preliminary breath test NC during a traffic stop to assess whether there is a lawful basis to continue a DWI investigation. The request typically occurs roadside, before any arrest, and functions as a screening step rather than proof of impairment. Results are used to inform an officer’s judgment, not to establish […]

A DWI charge in North Carolina can trigger an immediate loss of driving privileges, often before the case is ever resolved in court. This loss typically results from a civil license revocation tied to the arrest, not a conviction. In certain situations, North Carolina law allows individuals to seek a limited driving privilege NC that […]

Breath test evidence plays a significant role in many impaired driving prosecutions in North Carolina, particularly when the State relies on results produced by the EC/IR II Intoximeter. While these devices are approved for use, their results are not automatically admissible. Courts evaluate whether breath testing procedures complied with specific administrative and regulatory requirements before […]

A conviction for driving while impaired in North Carolina has a direct impact on auto insurance premiums and coverage. Under state insurance regulations, a DWI triggers the assignment of insurance points that insurers must apply when calculating rates. These points are assessed through North Carolina’s Safe Driver Incentive Plan and result in mandatory percentage-based premium […]

During a North Carolina DWI stop, officers request field sobriety tests based on specific observations suggesting possible impairment. A field sobriety test request NC is commonly triggered by indicators such as erratic driving, delayed responses to emergency lights, slurred speech, glassy or bloodshot eyes, the odor of alcohol, or difficulty following simple instructions. These observations […]

Getting stopped for suspected impaired driving can feel heavy. Many people describe it as one of the most stressful moments of their lives, confusing, embarrassing, and filled with uncertainty about what comes next. When a breath test number appears on a screen, it can feel final, as if the case has already been decided. But […]

After a DWI arrest in North Carolina, it’s easy to assume the court case is the only thing you need to focus on. But for many people, the first real consequence shows up somewhere else entirely: their driver’s license. One of the biggest shocks is that your NC license can be suspended before your DWI […]