Driving While Impaired (DWI)

Concord, Kannnapolis and Harrisburg DWI Lawyers

Driving While Impaired (DWI/DUI)

Defending people charged with Driving While Impaired (DWI/DUI) constitutes the largest part of McCartan Law’s representation. We encourage all potential clients to take their time and ask questions before choosing an attorney.

  • Creative strategies are particularly necessary in DWI defenses, as the vast majority of the evidence used against an individual is tendered by trained witnesses (police officers and chemical analysts).
  • Simply being charged with DWI and having a Blood Alcohol Content of .08 does NOT make one guilty of the offense; it is the burden of the State to prove the elements of the offense and to validate the process by which the investigation was conducted.
  • While penalties related to a DWI conviction can be harsh, in many circumstances, they can be mitigated.

Why You Shouldn’t Panic If You Have Been Charged With DWI


Was There a Traffic Stop?

Determining what led to an officer or trooper’s contact with a person is critical in defending someone charged with Impaired Driving. Whether it’s a binary, readily-observable violation of traffic law, or, a suspicion that some type of criminal activity is occurring, a DWI attorney will determine whether the seizure is reasonable and constitutional.

Was the Arrest Lawful?

As it is a greater intrusion into one’s liberty than simply pulling someone over, it is especially critical that an attorney determine whether Probable Cause existed when a DWI client is arrested. As case law and administrative bodies have put legal thresholds in place, it is imperative that the State and all law enforcement officers are held to the proper burdens when taking someone’s liberty.

Field Sobriety Tests – What Do They Mean?

It’s very easy for an officer to simply invoke that someone ‘failed’ or performed poorly on Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). But that simple labelling isn’t sufficient to show a Court that a person was appropriately charged with DWI/DUI. A lawyer should be familiar with all of the cues/clues associated with both standardized and non-standardized dexterity tests.

The Instrument Said I ‘Blew Over,’ So I Guess I’m Guilty, Right?

Wrong. Above and beyond defenses based on the elements of Driving While Impaired, and further, the procedural mandates of Reasonable Suspicion and Probable Cause, a DWI attorney can often show items of concern regarding chemical analysis (breath or blood) that can result in suppression of certain evidence.


Other Traffic Matters We Commonly Handle

Careless or Reckless Driving
North Carolina DMV Revocations
Work and Limited Driving Privileges
License Restoration
No Proof of Insurance
Illegal Street Racing
All North Carolina Traffic Citations


Client Testimonials

The people we represent

Gave me my confidence back – He told me not to worry and relax and now I understand why. Absolutely awesome attorney. Thank you.

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Excellent Attorney – I’m so thankful for Chris McCartan. He is an amazing attorney and human being. My husband had a tough case against and Chris went above and beyond for us. I cannot thank him enough for all he did for us. He communicated with us throughout the whole process and never once sugar coated anything. If you need legal help, I would 100% recommend Chris McCartan. – Maria

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Chris Goes Above and Beyond – He put my best interest into practice and fought for a very favorable outcome. I would definitely recommend Chris to anyone in need of a defense attorney. – Ryan

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Very understanding, confident and professional – Chris was wonderful as he delivered the best defense for me!!! So glad I chose him..he always told me not to worry and for 2 years i had this dwi over my head like i couldnt move foward..but he got strait and to the point questions and proved my innocence!!! The judge said ” NOT GUILTY”!!!@ that is all i prayed to hear!!! i would Highley recommend him to anyone in this situation!!! Thanks so much Chris!!!! – Theresa

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Excellent Attorney – Chris recently represented me in a dwi charge that he was able to get dismissed completely. Chris is an excellent attorney that will guide you through the entire process and let you know every aspect of a case and how he plans to fight for you. He is very knowledgeable and helped me through a very stressful time. I would recommend him to anyone seeking legal counsel and though I never plan to need his services again, I would hire him again in a hearbeat. Thank you for all of your help Chris. – Eric

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Contact Us

8 Church Street S.
Suite 201
Concord, NC 28025
By Email or call
704-784-8028

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