Our Greensboro DWI lawyers at McMinn, Fradin, Gray & Logan have defended clients in Guilford County courts for more than 30 years. We understand local procedures, know how prosecutors build their cases, and will fight to protect your rights at every step.
You can contact us today for a consultation about your next steps after an arrest. Put an experienced Greensboro criminal defense lawyer on your side and move forward with confidence.
Why Choose Our DWI Lawyers in Greensboro, NC?
At McMinn, Fradin, Gray & Logan, our DWI lawyers in Greensboro, NC, have extensive experience both in the courtroom and at the negotiation table. If you are facing a DWI or DUI in Guilford County, you can turn to us to get help from a proven legal defense team. Our team’s experience and deep knowledge of state DWI laws can make a difference in how your case is resolved.
We Understand the Goals of the Prosecution
In a DWI case, the prosecution must prove several elements to convict. The law states that the prosecution needs to prove you were driving the vehicle and that you were under the influence of an impairing substance at that time.
They often prove this by establishing your official blood alcohol concentration (BAC) through either a blood test or a breath test.
For a free legal consultation with a dwi lawyer serving Greensboro, call (336) 360-5528 today
Defense Strategies to Handle DWI Charges
We can utilize several defense strategies to handle your legal needs after a drunk driving arrest. Depending on your circumstances, a DUI lawyer from our team may focus on:
Getting Your Case Dropped or Dismissed
In some situations, our DWI defense team can get the prosecution to drop the charges you face. We may do so by blocking evidence used by the prosecution, showing that the police violated your rights during an arrest, or proving that you were not impaired at the time of your arrest.
You will not face legal penalties or end up with a DWI conviction on your record if the prosecution drops your charges.
Reducing Your Charges with a Plea Bargain
We know how to handle the plea bargaining process on behalf of clients like you. A plea deal can reduce the severity of your charges but does require you to admit fault for a criminal act.
Our team may consider a plea bargain to help you seek the least possible sentence. However, you should not accept a deal until we’ve had a chance to review it on your behalf.
Fighting for You in Court
Our team can fight to secure a not-guilty verdict if your charges go to court. We have the experience and legal resources to aggressively stand up for you in front of a judge or jury, and we take DWI charges seriously.
We believe in carefully reviewing the reasons given for your arrest and then getting to work immediately on a personalized defense strategy. We understand what you’re going through, and we’re ready to take charge of your criminal defense needs.
Contact our team at McMinn, Fradin, Gray & Logan to schedule your consultation and begin protecting your rights.
How a DWI Can Affect Your Driver’s License
If you are charged with and convicted of a DWI, you may lose your license or face restrictions on your driving privileges. If you face license restrictions, you’ll likely have to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on any vehicle you want to drive.
North Carolina has shifted its laws several times regarding IID availability for drivers convicted of DWIs. Initially, these devices were only available to a limited number of motorists, but the state expanded eligibility in 2024 and may continue to do so in the future.
Our team can tell you more about license suspensions, restrictions, or revocations after a DUI conviction. We’ll provide the most up-to-date information about North Carolina’s laws when you contact us for help.
Greensboro DWI Lawyer Near Me
(336) 360-5528
Understand DWI Testing Laws in North Carolina
If the police stop you because they suspect you are driving under the influence, they will frequently ask you to perform field sobriety testing (FST). Legally, you can refuse to complete field sobriety tests, and attorneys often recommend that you do so, as the police can use any results of these tests against you.
Officers can also order you to submit to chemical testing of your blood alcohol content after an arrest. If you refuse a chemical BAC test after an arrest, you can face serious consequences, like the immediate loss of your driving privileges, under North Carolina’s implied consent laws.
Our state’s implied consent laws mean that you give your consent to chemical testing (of breath or blood) by driving in North Carolina. You do not have to sign anything or otherwise state your agreement; it’s implied, even if you are an out-of-state motorist.
We’re Ready to Help After a BAC Test “Failure”
Note that, even if you “fail” a BAC test, your lawyer may challenge these results. For example, these tests can return incorrect results if the officer who administered the test did not correctly follow all the right steps. You can contact us now to learn more about these tests and how they can impact your DWI case.
Frequently Asked Questions About DWI Charges in North Carolina
Our DWI attorneys in Greensboro can answer any questions you have after an arrest. Turn to us for answers to questions like:
Is Drunk Driving a Misdemeanor or Felony in North Carolina?
Generally, North Carolina treats drunk driving as a misdemeanor-level offense. However, in some situations, you could face felony charges.
For example, drivers can face felony accusations if they have multiple past DWI convictions on their record. Additionally, the prosecution could pursue felony charges for drivers accused of causing an accident that leads to injuries or death while driving under the influence.
You should get professional legal help if you face either misdemeanor or felony allegations for drunk driving charges. An attorney can get to work on your defense right away, improving your chances of resolving them successfully.
What Are Aggravating Factors for a DWI Charge?
North Carolina has several aggravating factors that can increase the severity of DWI allegations. These factors include driving while impaired and:
- Driving with a revoked license
- Driving 30 mph or more over the speed limit
- Trying to elude the police
- Engaging in reckless driving
- Having past DWI convictions on your record
- Having a blood alcohol content (BAC) at or over .15%
- Causing an accident
- Illegally passing a school bus
In some cases, drivers may also face grossly aggravating factors. These factors allow the court to hand down even harsher penalties. Examples of grossly aggravating factors can include drunk driving and:
- Causing a serious injury to someone else
- Having someone under the age of 18 with you in your vehicle
- Having your license suspended due to a past DWI conviction
You’ll want to work with a criminal defense lawyer who understands aggravating factors and how they can impact your DWI case in North Carolina.
What Are Mitigating Factors for DWI Charges in North Carolina?
Mitigating factors are considerations that can reduce the severity of your sentence if you face a drunk driving conviction. In some cases, they can stack against aggravating factors as a judge considers your sentence.
Examples of mitigating factors can include:
- A safe driving record
- A BAC under .09% at the time of your arrest
- Minimal signs of impairment if the police could not perform BAC testing
- Reports that you operated your vehicle safely aside from the impairment
- Reports that you submitted to alcohol and drug testing
- Reports that your impairment came from a legal medication used properly
Our team can tell you more about both mitigating factors and aggravating factors when you reach out to us for help after a DWI arrest.
Can a Lawyer Help Me Expunge a DWI Conviction?
Expunging a charge seals it, meaning it will no longer show up on background checks run by landlords, employers, and other individuals. In North Carolina, you generally cannot expunge a DWI conviction from your record.
Therefore, it’s crucial that you take these allegations very seriously. You can rely on us to start working on your DWI defense right away.
Are DWI Convictions Serious?
Many DWI convictions in North Carolina are considered very severe, though the penalties you face will depend on several factors. North Carolina has misdemeanor DWI sentencing levels ranging from Level 5 up to Aggravated Level One. At Aggravated Level One, you could face up to 36 months in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
You will also likely face orders to attend alcohol treatment programs and complete community service. You may end up on probation, and many drivers face a license suspension after a conviction.
Additionally, you can expect your insurance premiums to increase after a conviction for drunk driving. You can take charge of protecting your future and potentially avoid these penalties by hiring a DWI defense lawyer immediately after your arrest.
What Do I Need to Know About a DWI and Implications for My Record?
North Carolina’s lookback period for DWIs means that you can face increased penalties if you have past drunk driving convictions on your criminal and driving record. Most seriously, a DWI conviction in the past seven years counts as a grossly aggravating factor for handling your current charges in the legal system.
Convictions older than seven years can still impact your current charges. For example, if you have three prior DWI convictions within the past 10 years, your next DWI can be charged as felony habitual impaired driving.
DWI convictions never “fall off” your record in North Carolina. They remain forever and can impact your future in many ways, so ensure you take these charges seriously by contacting us for help immediately after an arrest.
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Talk to Us After an Arrest for Drunk Driving in Greensboro, NC
A DWI conviction can result in fines, jail time, community service requirements, license restrictions, and other penalties.
However, it is important to note the difference between being charged with a DWI and being convicted. If you are charged, you have a right to get your day in court, and with an experienced DWI attorney in Greensboro on your side, you may avoid a conviction.
Our team at McMinn, Fradin, Gray & Logan is here to offer legal assistance every step of the way. Contact us now to learn more about how we can help you handle these serious charges.
Call or text (336) 360-5528 or fill out our Free Case Evaluation Form to get started
