Mooresville Underage DWI Lawyer

Mooresville DWI Defense Attorney

Alcohol is banned for individuals under the age of 21, though some teenagers ignore the law and drink at parties or steal a small amount from their parents. You may think that a tiny drink isn’t much to worry about, but if you have any trace of alcohol in your system while driving, you could face harsh penalties. If you’re underage and driving while intoxicated (DWI), you should speak with a Mooresville underage DWI lawyer at your earliest opportunity.

Anyone of any age can be charged for drinking or using substances behind the wheel, and if you are accused of either, you need a criminal lawyer to represent you. Our team at The Law Office of William T. Corbett, Jr., P.L.L.C., can assist you with your case and examine your situation thoroughly. If we find any vulnerabilities in how the police addressed your case, we can use this to defend you and potentially have your penalties reduced or eliminated.

Understanding Underage DWI Laws

DWI or driving under the influence (DUI) can result in various penalties, such as fines and jail time, but how much you receive depends on what factors are involved. Because you are underage, there is a “no-tolerance” rule in effect. If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.01% and you are under the age of 21, you can be charged with an underage DWI offense. You may think that DWI lawyers can’t help you because of this law, but they actually can.

As long as you have a BAC of at least 0.01%, you can be charged with underage DWI. The penalties can fluctuate, depending on other factors involved in your situation, such as:

• DWI while a child is in the vehicle with you
• Using a fake ID to enter a bar or purchase alcohol
• Possessing alcohol, even if you aren’t drinking it

Criminal defense lawyers know that Mooresville does not treat underage drinking offenses as minor incidents. In fact, a single underage DWI charge could stay on your record for the rest of your life, making it more complicated to find a job, secure housing, and pay insurance rates. You could also lose your driver’s license entirely, making it tougher to drive to work, school, or wherever you need to go. This is why we recommend speaking with a criminal defense attorney.

How DWI Lawyers Can Help

Many individuals who are arrested for underage DWI may not know their rights or how the laws are defined. If you are told to appear in court to discuss your case, you could struggle to defend yourself against prosecutors. The legal system throughout North Carolina is intimidating, and you may end up saying things you shouldn’t as a result. Rather than risk facing harsh penalties that could completely change your future, let us defend you.

There are multiple defenses that we could use to defend you and protect your rights. For example, if police gather witness testimonies, but they are unreliable or inconsistent, they may not be able to use these as evidence. If the police did not have a reasonable suspicion that you were drinking, or if they did not adhere to their protocols, we may be able to use this to have your charges dropped or lessened.

Hiring a juvenile DUI attorney isn’t required, but they provide several advantages that you should consider using.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a DWI Lawyer Cost in North Carolina?

A: This depends on who you hire and what factors are involved in your case. However, attorneys may charge somewhere around $2,500 for their services. This can seem like a lot, but if you’re facing harsh penalties, including large fines or jail time, hiring a DWI lawyer can be worth it. They can potentially have your case dismissed if they can prove that there were problems with how the police handled your case.

Q: What Happens If You Get a DUI Under 21 in North Carolina?

A: Receiving a DUI or DWI charge in North Carolina results in a Class 2 misdemeanor. This is punishable by up to 30 days of community punishment, which is similar to probation and includes community service and substance abuse treatment. It also entails restitution as well as up to $1,000 in fines. If you receive a second charge, your community punishment and fines increase, and you may be sent to jail in addition to these standard penalties.

Q: What Is the Zero-Tolerance Law in North Carolina?

A: There is zero tolerance for drinking or using drugs behind the wheel. If you are found with a BAC of 0.01% or higher and are under the age of 21, you could face the penalties associated with underage DWI. The BAC amount increases for those over 21 or who hold commercial driver’s licenses, but these are only to 0.08% and 0.04%, respectively. North Carolina uses zero tolerance as a way to keep everyone on the road safe.

Q: Do I Need a Lawyer for DWI in North Carolina?

A: You aren’t legally required to have a lawyer at your side, but we advise that you do so. DWI charges can result in serious consequences, which could follow you throughout the rest of your life. If you try to represent yourself without any legal experience, you may find it hard to defend yourself efficiently. Hiring a lawyer eliminates this unnecessary risk, and they can use their experience in law to reach an ideal resolution.

Contact Us for Legal Representation

Underage DWI charges aren’t minor, and the penalties they can bring could change the way you live the rest of your life. No matter how severe your situation is, you deserve knowledgeable and trustworthy legal representation that is committed to protecting your rights. As soon as you’ve been charged with underage DWI in Mooresville, we hope to hear a call from you.

Our staff at The Office of William T. Corbett, Jr., P.L.L.C., can begin examining your case and finding ways to defend you against an intimidating legal system. Contact us today so we can get started.