Carolina Criminal Defense & DUI Lawyer Updates

March 11, 2013

Powers Law Firm PA Selected in U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” Rankings

Powers Law Firm PA was named in the 2012-13 U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings. The firm achieved first-tier rankings in Charlotte under the practice area of DUI/DWI Defense and second-tier rankings in Criminal Defense: Non-White Collar.

“We are honored to once again be named as one of U.S. News – Best Lawyers’ ‘Best Law Firms’ and to join the outstanding firms that share this recognition,” said Bill Powers, a founding partner at Powers Law Firm PA. “My appreciation goes to the Powers Law Firm PA team, our colleagues, and our clients, whom we work tirelessly for, ensuring that their interests are defended and that no details are ignored.”

According to U.S. News – Best Lawyers, the rankings were based on methodologically rigorous national surveys sent by U.S. News to law firm clients; leading lawyers and law firm managers; partners and associates; and marketing managers and recruiting officers. The overall assessment included information provided by the nominated firms. The collected quantitative and qualitative data were then combined into a total score for each law firm.

February 8, 2013

Super Lawyers Magazine – ‘Top 100 in North Carolina’ 2013 Selection Process

by Carolina Attorneys

Lauded by Super Lawyers Magazine for the sixth straight year, including a Top 100 distinction the past two years, Bill Powers continues to earn accolades for his performance as DWI and criminal defense attorney. As the Super Lawyers selection criteria explains:

Bar associations and courts across the country have recognized the legitimacy of the Super Lawyers selection process. Most recently, the New Jersey Supreme Court upheld the findings of a Special Master assigned by the court to, among other things, examine the details of the process. In his July 2008 report, the Special Master lauded the lawyer-rating process, stating:

“[The Super Lawyers selection process] is a comprehensive, good-faith and detailed attempt to produce a list of lawyers that have attained high peer recognition, meet ethical standards, and have demonstrated some degree of achievement in their field.”

January 31, 2013

Business North Carolina’s “Legal Elite” Selection Criteria

by Carolina Attorneys

North Carolina lawyers tipped their caps to Bill Powers as one of the state’s 2013 “Legal Elite” in the Criminal Defense category. Considered among the best by his peers in voting tabulated by Business North Carolina magazine, Mr. Powers is one of the founding partners of Powers Law Firm PA.

Legal Elite Methodology:

Since 2002, Business North Carolina magazine has honored Tar Heel lawyers by publishing Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite, a listing of the state’s top lawyers in business-related categories. Winners are chosen not by BNC editors but by the state’s lawyers. Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite has become the model for other awards and lists, but it remains unique as the only award that gives every active lawyer in the state the opportunity to participate. Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite includes the top lawyers chosen using this statewide ballot.

January 16, 2013

Best Lawyers® – “Lawyer of the Year” Selection Criteria

by Carolina Attorneys

We are honored with the distinction that Best Lawyers® has bestowed upon Bill Powers, one of the founding partners of Powers Law Firm PA. This award distinguishes Bill as one of the pre-eminent DWI defense lawyers in Charlotte.

As the Best Lawyers® selection criteria explains:

Only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year,” making this accolade particularly significant.

May 22, 2010

North Carolina DWI Checkpoints – Are Checkpoints Legal?

by Carolina Attorneys

License Checking Stations in North Carolina are popular with law enforcement, especially DWI Task Force units and Drug Recognition Experts. DUI checkpoints have for decades been a valuable federal funding source through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Incentive Grant Program.

Whether in a large city such as Charlotte or Greensboro, or smaller towns like Cornelius, Mooresville, and Monroe NC, it’s important to know your rights regarding checkpoints and the legality of stopping vehicles.

DWI Checkpoints purportedly serve several purposes. Law enforcement actively seeks visible enforcement efforts. They want ordinary citizens to see stopped cars, drivers performing roadside dexterity tests, and arrests.