There is a recent news story involving the dismissal of DWI charges against a Pender County elected official. The article referenced only Charlotte prosecutors and a voluntary dismissal of charges. The name of the judge was not given. Really a non-issue given this was not a high profile case and no one was injured. Just someone, this time a politician, was arrested for DWI and the charges were subsequently dismissed for legal issues. What struck me was the “comments” section in which otherwise calm citizens were openly aggressive and even hostile towards the judge who was later named. As a DWI trial attorney in Mecklenburg County, I know and appreciate the tremendous pressure placed on the prosecutors and judges. No matter how bad or weak a case may be, they cannot exercise prosecutorial discretion or effectively apply the law fairly without fear of this type of irrational backlash.
At the risk of being branded a DWI supporter, I commend the prosecution and Judge Osmon for doing the right thing in the face of adversity. It goes without saying, but I guess I need to, that NO ONE wants truly drunk drivers on our roads. In cases where someone is injured or killed, the drunk driver deserves no sympathy. But, he or she is still presumed to be innocent and is entitled to a fair and impartial trial. Fortunately, the vast majority of those persons charged with DWI are simply individuals who had a drink with dinner or a few beers with friends. Contrary to public perception, it is NOT illegal to drink and then drive. It is illegal to drink WHILE driving or to drive while IMPAIRED.
If you or someone you love has been arrested for DWI in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County, you owe it to yourself to call our firm to see what might can be done to help. Simply pleading guilty is never a wise choice and will result in a permanent criminal record and high insurance rates for life. It is worth the time to learn more about your options. Our website is packed with real information. Please visit www.mecklenburgdwi.com. Then, contact one of our attorneys directly by calling 704-499-9000 or toll free 877-374-5999. You will be glad you did. Don’t worry. We are here to help.