Chris Shumate is a talented and experienced Charlotte DWI attorney who is well-equipped to handle any driving under the influence case. He has successfully defended many clients in Charlotte and the surrounding areas. When you are charged with a DWI, a conviction can carry serious consequences. Because of the potentially dire consequences, it is important to contact a knowledgeable Charlotte DWI attorney as soon as possible after your arrest to ensure that your rights are preserved. In addition to hiring a criminal defense lawyer, a basic understanding of the DWI laws in North Carolina is important when you have been charged with driving under the influence.

In North Carolina, it is unlawful for any person to drive any vehicle upon any highway, any street, or any public vehicular area within the state while impaired. Alcohol, prescription medication, and illegal drugs are all considered to be impairing substances by the state. It is illegal in North Carolina to drive a car while your blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, is .08 percent or higher. Generally, a person’s BAC is affected by: the number of alcoholic drinks consumed, food consumption, the alcoholic concentration of those drinks, the person’s weight, and the time interval between the first drink and the last drink. It is important to note that even if your BAC is lower than the legal limit, you can still be prosecuted for a DWI under North Carolina law.

Furthermore, North Carolina has a zero tolerance law for drivers under the age of 21. This means that any driver under 21 years old breaks the law if that person has any amount of alcohol in the bloodstream while operating a motor vehicle. The state also has zero tolerance laws for school bus drivers. Another statute makes it illegal to drive a commercial truck with a BAC of .04 percent or higher, in addition to a law prohibiting the driving of a commercial truck while under the influence of any other impairing substance.

BAC is determined by a chemical test of the blood, breath, or urine of the person being charged. North Carolina has an implied consent law that states that “any person who drives a vehicle on a highway or public vehicular area thereby gives consent to a chemical analysis if charged with an implied-consent offense.” Driving under the influence is an implied-consent offense, so you must submit to chemical testing to avoid further penalties. You can refuse the test, but your driver’s license will be revoked for one year and could be revoked for a longer period of time if you do so. Obviously, a dismissal is the most desired result for your case. However, we will work with you regardless of the circumstances to achieve the most favorable possible result for your case. For example, in many cases, a limited driving privilege may be obtained which would allow you to drive during any suspension period

Being charged with a DWI is a serious matter, and having a professional on your side is imperative to ensure that your rights are preserved. Chris Shumate knows what is at stake, and he is an experienced and aggressive Charlotte DWI attorney. His office is efficient and he puts his client’s needs first. Call Shumate Law Offices now at (704) 371-5059 for a free consultation and be confident that your DWI case is in capable hands.