“I was facing my 2nd DUI within 7 years. Jesse got my case to trial and was able to get it dismissed.”
One DWI/DUI charge can change everything.
An arrest is not a conviction — but what you do in the next 24 hours can decide what happens to your license, your record, and your future. Don't face it alone.
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It’s never just a ticket.
A single DWI/DUI charge in North Carolina reaches into every corner of your life — often before your first court date. Every day without counsel is a day the State builds its case and your options narrow.
Your license
Immediate civil revocation, then suspension on conviction — and a separate DMV clock in refusal cases.
Your record & your job
A permanent conviction surfaces on every background check, threatening clearances and driving roles.
Your wallet
Fines, surcharges, and insurance premiums that go up 400% for 3 years on average.
SETH BLUM, FOUNDING ATTORNEY
Protecting your rights is the first move. Everything else follows.
Our DWI/DUI defense is led by trial attorneys focused on one thing: protecting your rights at every stage. We attack the stop, the testing, and the procedure — and we don't take shortcuts. When you call, you speak with the people who will actually defend you.
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“After over 20 years with no driver license and a long record of DUI/NOP on my record, I walked out with my NC driver's privilege restored. Mr. Blum made it happen at my DMV hearing.”
HOW WE WIN.
At Kurtz & Blum, we don't rely on just one defense strategy. There are three critical points where we can challenge the evidence against you. At each stage, if the State can't prove its case — we win.
01
Challenge 1
Was there a basis for the stop?
Was there a basis for the stop?
The officer needs reasonable, articulable suspicion to pull you over. They need to observe something concrete — imperfect driving, a vehicle defect, or a similar indicator.
If the driving was perfect and the car was perfect, there's no basis for the stop. If not… we win.
This ends the case right there.
02
Challenge 2
Was there probable cause to arrest?
Was there probable cause to arrest?
If we get past the initial stop, the State must prove probable cause — meaning it was likely a crime occurred. They typically rely on three types of evidence:
- How you were driving (erratic movement, swerving)
- How you were behaving (speech, eyes, coordination)
- Roadside breath test results, if administered
The roadside breath test is notoriously unreliable and can vary wildly. If we can show the behavior evidence is explained by fatigue, illness, or other factors — and there's no alcohol evidence… we win.
03
Challenge 3
Can they prove impairment beyond a reasonable doubt?
Can they prove impairment beyond a reasonable doubt?
If probable cause is established, the final battle is whether the State can prove you were actually impaired while driving. They'll present your driving patterns, your behavior at the scene, and the accurate breath test from the police station.
But that breath test only counts if it was done properly. We examine:
- Was the machine properly calibrated?
- Was the officer properly trained?
- Did they honor your right to a witness? You have 30 minutes to get a witness there to observe the test.
If the State failed to follow protocol — especially the witness notification requirement — the test results are inadmissible. In that case… we win.
Even without the breath test, the State must prove "appreciable impairment" by observation alone — a much harder standard than pointing to a number on a machine.
Multiple paths to victory.
This isn't about one thing. It's a series of procedural protections and evidentiary rules designed to protect your rights. We review the stop, we review the arrest decision, and we review whether the State can actually prove impairment. At each stage, there are opportunities to win — and we'll pursue every one of them.
Verdicts that protected futures.
“Grace represented me in a DWI with multiple other charges — the other charges were dropped. My case was a difficult one as I blew high and made some incriminating statements. I'm happy with the work they did and would use them again.”
“Thorough, diligent, and willing to give my defense her best effort. Her knowledge and experience in the courtroom were key factors in the not guilty verdict I received.”
“Honestly, I thought this process would take a year — it took almost a week with GREAT results. I was facing NOT having a license for a year at best. I'm floored.”
“I'd been with no license for over 7 years and, all thanks to Matt and his amazing assistants, they were able to get me back on track and on the road. 10 stars!”
FROM YOUR CALL TO YOUR DEFENSE.
Talk to our defense team
Call or submit the form. We aim to respond within 15 minutes during working hours — confidentially and with no obligation.
Protect your license
We move on civil revocation and DMV deadlines before the window closes.
Dismantle the evidence
We pull footage and records, expose flaws, and file the motions that matter.
Dismiss or try
We pursue the best outcome the evidence allows — fully prepared to take it to trial.
The next 24 hours matter most.
Evidence fades. Deadlines don't. The sooner we start, the more of your future we can protect.
Frequently Asked Questions
If yours isn't here, ask when you speak with our defense team. We'll tell you what we honestly believe — not what's easiest to hear.
Should I just plead guilty to a DWI/DUI?
+Rarely without review. A DWI/DUI charge is not a conviction — the State must prove the stop, the testing, and impairment. There are often defenses you can't see from the inside. Get the evidence reviewed before deciding anything.
Will I lose my license immediately?
+North Carolina imposes a civil license revocation that can begin right after a DWI charge, separate from your criminal case. In refusal situations there's also a DMV process with tight deadlines. Acting fast is how we protect your ability to drive.
The breathalyzer said I was over. Is it hopeless?
+No. Breath instruments require strict calibration and maintenance, and the test must be administered correctly — including your right to a witness. We routinely obtain maintenance and administration records and challenge results that don't hold up.
How soon do I need a lawyer?
+Immediately. Footage can be lost, deadlines run quickly, and early decisions shape everything that follows. Even a same-day consultation can change the trajectory of your case.
Will this follow me forever?
+A conviction can — but a charge that's dismissed or reduced is a very different story, and North Carolina has expanded expungement eligibility. Protecting your record is exactly why early, strategic defense matters.
Don’t wait for your court date.
Tell us what happened — as much or as little as you're ready to share. A Kurtz & Blum DWI/DUI attorney will respond personally. The call is free, confidential, and we aim to respond within 15 minutes during working hours.