This post continues the Breath, Blood, and Bull series, an in-depth look at how science, procedure, and perception collide in the prosecution and defense of DWI cases in North Carolina. The first installment examined the limits of chemical testing. The second article turned to the machines that interpret alcohol breath…
Cortisol, often referred to as the primary stress hormone, is produced by your adrenal glands in response to stressful situations, including anxiety-provoking encounters such as traffic stops, arrests, and DWI charges. Cortisol plays an important role in regulating energy by promoting gluconeogenesis, the production of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, and…
Witnesses with specialized knowledge beyond that of a jury may in appropriate circumstances provide “expert testimony” in North Carolina. DWI (Driving While Impaired) charges in North Carolina regularly include evidence like breathalyzer results, blood tests, and standardized field sobriety tests. Given the scientific, forensic, and at times highly technical aspects…
When a law enforcement officer in North Carolina suspects impaired driving, they may conduct Standarized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) to gauge whether enough evidence exists for an arrest or further chemical testing. Roadside dexterity tests—commonly the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, the Walk-and-Turn test, and the One-Leg Stand test—remain a…
Modified Transcript of “Telling Truth To Lawyer” for Hearing Impaired: In criminal cases, whether it’s a DUI or a misdemeanor, even a felony – heck, even traffic tickets – it’s not unusual to have a client later fess up when they’re talking to us in the office and say “I…