DUI / DWI / Traffic Tickets

DUI Lawyers - North Carolina and South Carolina

DUI / DWI charges are more than simply a traffic violation. A conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol could have serious consequences, including a criminal record, heavy fine, and driver's license suspension. Penalties for repeat violations are tougher still. A DUI / DWI arrest is an urgent situation that calls for experienced legal counsel and representation.

After a DUI / DWI Arrest in North Carolina or South Carolina

To discuss the circumstances behind your DUI / DWI arrest, contact an attorney at The McGougan Law Firm in Tabor City, North Carolina, or Little River, South Carolina. Schedule a consultation to plan a defense strategy which many include one or more of the following:

• Challenge of the traffic stop: did the law enforcement agent have sufficient probable cause to stop you while you were operating a motor vehicle?
• Challenge of the sobriety test: did the field sobriety test and/or breathalyzer results determine conclusively that your blood alcohol content was above the legal threshold?
• Challenge of the charges: through plea bargaining, it may be possible to re-categorize your arrest as reckless driving, with much less severe consequences
• Challenge of the sentence: aggressive legal representation may result in a reduced sentence even if the evidence is strong that you were driving while under the influence of alcohol.

What if I wasn't Drunk? Challenging DUI Charges

A DUI charge may be dismissed if evidence is brought forward indicating a police officer failed to follow proper procedure in administering a field sobriety test or did not have reasonable suspicion to stop a driver. Since field sobriety tests provide an officer with the opportunity to determine if he has probable cause to arrest a driver for DUI, when administered improperly they compromise the legitimacy of the arrest. Similarly, if a police officer doesn't have reasonable suspicion to pull a driver over, any evidence discovered afterwards is "fruit of the poisonous tree" and cannot be admitted as evidence in court.

Even if an officer has reasonable suspicion to pull someone over and correctly administers a field sobriety test, the breathalyzer used to measure blood alcohol content (BAC) may not be functioning correctly. Our attorneys consult equipment technicians to determine if the breathalyzer used in your arrest was calibrated correctly or had a history of maintenance problems and false-positive readings.

After Receiving a Traffic Ticket

Attorneys of The McGougan Law Firm also represent drivers who have been charged with traffic violations including the following:

• Passing a stopped school bus
• Reckless driving (misdemeanor)
• Hit and run, property damage only, a misdemeanor; if personal injury involved, a felony
• Following too closely
• Driving on wrong side of road
• Illegal passing
• Running through a stop sign
• Speeding in excess of 55 miles per hour
• Failing to yield right-of-way
• Running through red light
• No driver's license or license expired more than one year
• Failure to stop for siren
• Driving through safety zone
• No liability insurance

Prevent unnecessary, potentially harmful accumulation of points, which may eventually lead to a driver's license suspension. Aggressive legal representation may be the means to the end, namely, a favorable outcome after issuance of a traffic ticket. Contact The McGougan Law Firm by phone or email to schedule an initial consultation regarding a DUI / DWI arrest or a traffic violation.