Home » Raleigh DWI Lawyer

Raleigh DWI Lawyer

Coolidge Law Firm is a Raleigh criminal defense law firm representing people accused of driving while impaired throughout Wake County. Led by attorney David A. Coolidge Jr., who has practiced law in North Carolina since 2007, our firm provides strategic DWI defense focused on challenging questionable evidence, protecting driving privileges, and preparing clients for criminal court.

Charged With DWI in Raleigh?

Speak with Coolidge Law Firm about your defense.

A DWI charge can affect your driving privileges, finances, and future. Coolidge Law Firm represents clients throughout Raleigh and Wake County. Tell us about your situation to request a free consultation.

Experienced Defense Against DWI Charges in Raleigh NC

A DWI arrest can threaten your license, employment, and freedom. Even if a police officer says you failed field sobriety tests or your blood alcohol content exceeded the legal limit, a conviction is not automatic.

At Coolidge Law Firm, our Raleigh criminal defense attorneys defend clients against the State’s case for alcohol-related and drug-related impaired driving charges, including:

First-time and repeat DWI offenses
Under 21 DWI charges
DWI involving prescription drugs or controlled substances
Charges involving failed field sobriety tests
Commercial driver DWI allegations
DWI cases involving motor vehicle accidents or serious injuries
Related reckless driving and criminal charges

Our Raleigh DWI lawyers represent clients throughout Wake County, including Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Wake Forest, Knightdale, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, and Garner. We also provide student defense for individuals attending NC State, Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, Wake Tech, Meredith College, and other area institutions.

How Our Raleigh DWI Lawyers Challenge Criminal Charges

The State must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Our strategic DWI defense begins by examining the traffic stop, probable cause for arrest, police reports, video footage, and chemical test results.

Improper testing procedures or constitutional violations may provide grounds to suppress evidence or challenge the prosecution’s case. Dismissal is possible in some circumstances, but never guaranteed.

North Carolina DWI Laws and BAC Limits

Under N.C. General Statute § 20-138.1, impaired driving includes driving under the influence of an impairing substance or having an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher at a relevant time after driving. Drug impairment and certain Schedule I substance findings may also support charges.

Commercial drivers and motorists under 21 face additional restrictions.

Field Sobriety Tests and Chemical Evidence

Our field sobriety test defense examines whether officers followed proper procedures. Physical conditions, unclear instructions, and testing errors can affect the evidence. We also scrutinize breath and blood test results, including equipment records, sample collection, and laboratory procedures.

Refusing a Breath Test and DMV Hearings

A willful DWI test refusal involving qualifying chemical testing can trigger a 12-month license revocation under North Carolina’s implied-consent law, even if you are not convicted of DWI.

Our attorneys assist with DMV license suspension hearings and questions about limited driving privileges.

North Carolina DWI Penalties and Sentencing

DWI convictions can carry harsh penalties, including jail time, fines, probation, license revocation, and ignition interlock requirements. North Carolina uses six punishment levels for standard DWI convictions.

DWI punishment level	Potential maximum fine
Aggravated Level One	$10,000
Level One	$4,000
Level Two	$2,000
Level Three	$1,000
Level Four	$500
Level Five	$200

The court also considers imprisonment requirements and whether it may suspend a sentence.

See N.C. General Statute § 20-179 for sentencing provisions or read our DWI penalties and sentencing guide for more details.

Raleigh DWI Lawyer from the Coolidge Law Firm can help

Benefits of Working With Our Raleigh DWI Attorney

Hiring a Raleigh DWI lawyer is about more than having someone appear with you in court. Your legal team should bring local insight to navigating the Wake County criminal justice system, recognize weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and explain your options before you make decisions that affect your future.

At Coolidge Law Firm, our Raleigh DWI lawyers guide you through the process and work on your behalf for the best possible outcome for your case.

Experienced Criminal Defense Representation

Attorney David A. Coolidge Jr. has been licensed to practice law in North Carolina since 2007. He graduated in the top 5% of his class at Duke University School of Law and was inducted into the Order of the Coif, an academic legal honor society.

His professional affiliations include the North Carolina Bar Association, Wake County Bar Association, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, and Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial Lawyers. Attorney Coolidge has also received Top 100 Trial Lawyers recognition from The National Trial Lawyers.

Coolidge Law Firm holds an A+ BBB rating. Attorney Coolidge has a 4.9-star Avvo client review score. His licensing information is available through the North Carolina State Bar.

Strategic DWI Defense Based on the Evidence

We don’t treat every DWI arrest as if the facts were identical. A case involving a disputed traffic stop may require a different defense from one involving questionable BAC results, a blood test, or accusations of drug impairment.

Our approach includes examining police reports, available video footage, testing records, witness accounts, and potential constitutional violations. We hold the prosecution to its high burden of proof and prepare for trial when the circumstances call for it.

Local Experience in Wake County Criminal Courts

Coolidge Law Firm represents defendants throughout Raleigh and surrounding communities. Our familiarity with Wake County criminal court procedures helps us advise clients about hearings, evidence issues, court appearances, and the criminal defense process.

Whether your case involves a first-offense misdemeanor crime or more serious felony allegations, our attorneys will explain what to expect and what steps need immediate attention.

Communication and Personal Attention

An arrest is stressful enough without being left wondering what’s happening in your case. Our Raleigh law office emphasizes direct communication and accessibility. We answer questions, explain developments, and help clients understand their options.

We also offer FREE consultations so people facing DWI charges can speak with a criminal defense attorney before deciding how to proceed.

DWI Arrests in Raleigh FAQs

Can I Challenge a DMV License Revocation?

Yes. Drivers may request a DMV hearing to challenge certain license revocations based on alleged willful refusal. The hearing examines issues including whether the officer had reasonable grounds, provided the required rights advisement, and established a willful refusal.

The deadline for requesting a hearing is short, making it important to seek legal advice promptly. The Coolidge Law Firm assists with DWI license suspension hearings and questions about restoring driving privileges.

Can I Be Charged With DWI in North Carolina if My BAC Was Under 0.08?

Yes. A 0.08 alcohol concentration is not the only way the State can pursue a DWI charge. Prosecutors may also rely on officer observations, driving behavior, field sobriety testing, statements, drug impairment evidence, or other facts they believe show impairment.

In North Carolina, implied consent means driving on a public road comes with an agreement to submit to chemical testing if an officer has legal grounds to charge you with DWI. You can refuse the test, but refusal may trigger a separate license revocation and may be brought up as evidence in the criminal case.

Are Field Sobriety Tests Enough to Prove a Raleigh-Area DWI?

Field sobriety tests are one type of evidence, but they are not automatically reliable in every case. Road conditions, footwear, medical issues, fatigue, nervousness, officer instructions, and how the test was scored can all affect how the evidence is viewed.

A Raleigh defense attorney from Coolidge Law Firm will examine whether the tests were requested, explained, performed, and interpreted properly.

What Are Aggravating Factors in a North Carolina DWI Case?

DWI aggravating factors and grossly aggravating factors can affect the sentencing level if a person is convicted of DWI. Examples may include prior impaired driving convictions, serious injury, or having a child under 18 in the vehicle at the time of the offense. North Carolina DWI sentencing uses punishment levels based on the factors found by the court.

Will a First-Offense DWI Automatically Mean Jail Time?

Not always, but jail exposure is still part of the sentencing structure in North Carolina DWI cases. The outcome depends on the punishment level, aggravating and mitigating factors, prior record, chemical test evidence, and other case details. Even a first DWI can affect a license, insurance, employment, and future background checks.

Can I Be Charged With DWI for Prescription Drugs or Marijuana?

Yes. North Carolina DWI law applies to alcohol and other impairing substances, which can include controlled substances, marijuana, and some prescription medications. A person does not have to be drinking alcohol to face a DWI charge if the State claims their physical or mental faculties were impaired while driving.

Schedule a Consultation with a Top Criminal Defense Attorney

A DWI arrest can put your driving privileges, employment, and criminal record at risk. The sooner you understand the allegations against you, the sooner you can make informed decisions about your defense.

Coolidge Law Firm represents clients facing impaired driving charges in Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Wake Forest, Wendell, Zebulon, Rolesville, and surrounding Wake County communities.

Call (919) 239-8448 or contact us through our online contact form to schedule your FREE consultation today.

I can not say enough good about David Coolidge and the Law Firm! From the moment of our 1st interaction, I could tell that David TRULY cares and has a passion about the cases he takes on. I was anxious and nervous about my case from the beginning. David immediately showed his support and listened with an empathetic ear. From that moment on, I felt as though I knew I could trust him to put his whole heart into helping me with my case. He is intelligent, kind and completely nonjudgmental. He will listen to you and is so very supportive. I really felt, and still do, that he really cared about helping me. His passion for his work and in helping others shines. We VERY HAPPILY, had a GREAT outcome from the case and I could not be happier. As I told him when we left the court room that morning... “David, you have changed my life forever”. I would recommend David and this Law Firm to EVERYONE who is reading this review.

- Brian L.

David Coolidge is a wonderful attorney! I hired him twice for two different cases that I had which were only 2 months apart. He's very thorough and efficient. I was even able to reach him after hours through phone calls, texts, and email. Hopefully I never need his services again but if I am in a similar predicament I would most definitely hire David again.

- Tiffany C.

Excellent Customer Service. I had a Speeding ticket and they resolved it positively with no points on my Driver License. They represented me in Court and by midday on the Court date, they had updated me on the outcome. Very efficient service. I highly recommend them if you are in need of Legal Services.

- Stephen O.

I got a speeding ticket for going 17 over. They sent me a letter in the mail explaining that I could plead improper equipment and get no points on my insurance or license. They even gave me the fees straight out on the letter including court costs. They represented me and made the ticket go away.

- David G.

I cannot say enough about Attorney Coolidge and his staff. He’s handed several matters for me and in every instance he has exceeded my expectations. He even answered a frantic call from me on a Saturday night. I called in desperation not really expecting an answer. Mr. Coolidge delivered on all that he promised and more. I highly recommend.

- Craig S.