Sitting, waiting for an 8:30 a.m. DMV Hearing, at an all-but-empty Huntersville Department of 
Transportation license and tag office, is a bit unusual.
It’s part of what I do as a defense attorney; but, that doesn’t make it any less surreal or interesting.
The early morning hours, sometime between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., are mostly calm before the storm at NCDMV.
News outlets continue to report a spate of DUI wrecks in the Carolinas. Contrary to the narrative spun by senior law enforcement officials, ride-sharing apps like UBER and Lyft have not eliminated the dangers of alcohol-related wrecks and deaths in Charlotte.
Drunk driving fatalities have increased while the number of arrests and criminal charges have dropped, if not fallen off the cliff.
That’s not something you just “notice” without taking affirmative steps to remedy the problem. Enforcing the NC DWI laws is not a priority to senior leadership at CMPD.
What is DWI in NC? Is it drunk driving?There is a fair amount of confusion in North Carolina about DWI charges. The general public may call that type of criminal charge different things like DUI, driving under the influence, driving while intoxicated, and even drunk driving.
Under the NC criminal laws, the offense is simply titled: Impaired Driving. It frankly can be a bit complicated, which adds to the level of confusion. What really matters is how you respond to the charges, not what they’re called.
Most people have heard of the ignition interlock device in NC. It’s also occasionally called the IID by the general public or even the Blow and Go or in-car breathalyzer. The interlock is a breath testing device that’s installed in your car that measures alcohol in your breath and electronically records the BAC reading.
Its purpose is to ensure you’re not drinking and driving. If you have alcohol on your breath, the vehicle won’t start. If you keep trying to start your car after consuming alcohol, eventually that will result in a “lock out” and possible administrative action by the Division of Motor Vehicles.
If you have questions about whether a “blow and go” is required, we recommend you speak to an experienced attorney immediately. Timing is often key in such matters.
Checking Stations in Mecklenburg County
DWI Checkpoints are relatively common in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Many are established by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department CMPD pursuant to the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program.
It is a complicated area of law, controlled both by North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS) 20-16.3A and appellate court case law.
Many people don’t realize the true value of a Driver’s License. . .until they lose it – Bill Powers
The North Carolina General Assembly gives the North Carolina Department of Transportation / Division of Motor Vehicles the authority to issue, revoke, and suspend Drivers Licenses in North Carolina.
In North Carolina, ‘I’m Just Sayin’ means, I am going to speak the truth, even if it is not popular. It is, was, and always has been the truth – Bill Powers, President NCAJ
Probation violations can be quite serious. They can result in the revocation of probation and activation of a suspended term in prison or jail time – Bill Powers
Carolina Law Blog