The NC DWI Guy

Today we continue our DWI Masters Series, with Buncombe County attorney Al Messer . Al joined us on last week's episode and today Al and Jake discuss some of the keys to attacking a DWI charge based on a lack of probable cause.  Probable cause is one of the most frequently utilized attacks the defense can assert in a DWI case, so make sure to tune in to hear a DWI master give his tips on this defe...

Today we continue our DWI Masters Series, with Buncombe County attorney Al Messer . Mentor is defined as "an experienced or trusted advisor, particularly of a younger colleague." Al has acted as an incredible example and mentor to numerous younger attorneys in the local bar, including the host of this Podcast. Established as one of the great criminal defense attorneys in the Asheville area, Al has...

Today Jake and James Davis continue the conversation they began on Episode 90, which kicked off the DWI Masters series. On this episode, James Davis shares the riches of his extensive jury trial experience. James was born to stand in front of a jury. He has tried a plethora of criminal cases including murder, trafficking, armed robbery, and obviously DWI cases. He also had extensive jury trial exp...

Today we begin our DWI Masters Series, during which we will hear from some of the top DWI Defenders in North Carolina. On today's episode, Jake sits down with dedicated trial lawyer and passionate educator of all things related to DWI, James Davis. James is board certified in State Criminal Law, Federal Criminal Law, and Family Law. His incredible desire to help all lawyers hone their craft is evi...

On today's episode, Jake encourages you to spend some time as you close out 2021 reflecting on the blessings you have been given this year. St. Gianna Molla said that "the secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what He is sending us every day in His goodness." Fostering an attitude of gratitude is critical to maximizing your mental health and will drastically increase...

On today's episode, Jake has the chance to sit down with Dan Gerl of Puget Law group . Dan has helped build and grow his firm into one of the leading DUI defense firms in the country and offers incredible insight on how to create a world class client experience. With a background in graphic design and experience as a former prosecutor, Dan has created a firm culture which blends cutting edge legal...

On today's episode, Jake has the chance to sit down with former trooper, Brandon White , who now runs a statewide law firm that handles DUI and criminal cases. Brandon brings incredible energy and amazing information on how to grow and build your DUI defense practice. Brandon shares how his 10 years of experience as a law enforcement officer both helped him prepare his cases for trial as a defense...

As more and more states legalize the use of marijuana for both medicinal and recreational purposes, the manufacture, sale and use of marijuana will continue to rapidly increase. One anticipated effect of this increased use of legalized marijuana will be an increase in the number of marijuana related driving while impaired charges. On today's episode, Jake does a deep dive into an incredibly powerf...

If you want the same results in 2022 that you got in 2021, today's episode is not for you! Today we are talking about the importance of setting aside time during the generally slow month of December to create a better version of your firm going into 2022. Use slow to grow! Jake encourages you to set aside 4 hours to answer 3 very important questions. The answers to these questions are critical to...

Client communication is mandated by the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct. However, more than being merely an obligation, great client communication is one of the best areas to focus on in creating the ideal client experience. Don't ignore client communication because you are going to need to communicate with your clients in exactly 100% of the cases you handle. There is no way around c...

"Teamwork makes the dream work," says John Maxwell in his book Teamwork 101 . If you have a Big Hairy Audacious Goal, the only way you will achieve that goal is through the power of your team. Who is your team? The answer to that question is the great lawyer answer: "it depends." If you are a solo practitioner your team is comprised of your family, your colleagues, your referral network, your comm...

On today's episode Federal District Court Judge Robert Conrad sits down with Jake to discuss his new book Keeping Their Souls While Losing Their Heads . Judge Conrad's work looks at the lives of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More and the great life lessons that we can draw from these two incredible men in our own day and time. Due to his experience as a federal judge, federal prosecutor and defens...

For every lawyer, the ultimate finality of victory and defeat are part of every case that goes to trial. "Winning is everything," says Tim Grover in his new book Winning , which Jake discusses on today's podcast. How do you develop the mental toughness to become a winner? This is the question that Grover attempts to answer in his book and Jake examines in this episode. Highlights: Learn why Grover...

On today's episode Jake discusses the Community Caretaking exception to the warrant requirement as laid out in State v. Smathers . Where there is no reasonable suspicion or probable cause to believe that a traffic violation or crime has occurred, the purported basis for conducting a traffic stop that ultimately leads to a DWI arrest will frequently be the community caretaking doctrine. In this epi...

On today's episode Jake discusses how to become a time management champion. As district court misdemeanor and traffic lawyers, we are blessed (or cursed depending on your frame of mind) with lots of down time waiting on our cases to be called. Listen as Jake gives a call to action on the importance of utilizing your down time wisely followed by specific practical advice on how to maximize your wai...

On today's episode, Bruce Denson, of The Denson Firm , joins Jake to share how he developed core values for his legal business. Bruce has been practicing law since 1994, first as a prosecutor and then as a defense attorney. He focuses his criminal defense practice in DUI defense. In his conversation on the podcast today, Bruce shares the story of how a desire to help those struggling with addictio...

On today's episode we conclude our 5-part series on NC DMV hearings with special guest and DMV guru Chris Brooks. Chris began working as an Assistant Attorney General in 1998 and has been a Special Deputy Attorney General since 2016. He has represented and advised the Division of Motor Vehicles on criminal and civil matters in administrative hearings, district court, superior court, the North Caro...

On today's episode Jake continues a 5-part series on DMV hearings in North Carolina by discussing some best practices for DMV Representation. No matter what kind of DMV Hearing you are preparing for today's episode will give you practical tips for improving your chances of walking out of the DMV with your client's driving privileges restored or preserved. You owe it to your client to put your best...

On today's episode we continue our 5-part series on DMV hearings in North Carolina by discussing how to prepare for an ignition interlock hearing based on a blow and go violation. Getting an error message from the ignition interlock device can be an extremely anxiety provoking experience for your client and having answers for your client when they call following this experience can provide clarity...

On today's episode we continue our 5-part series on DMV hearings in North Carolina by discussing DWI restoration hearings following a DMV suspension for multiple DWI convictions. Helping a client have his or her license restored after a multiple year suspension has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my career. Your client's driving privileges are on the line at a restoration hearing so...

On today's episode we begin a 5-part series on DMV hearings in North Carolina by discussing refusal revocations related to an implied consent offense. For anyone that regularly handles DWI cases, understanding the impact of a refusal revocation is critical to providing high quality representation to your client. One of the biggest collateral consequences resulting from a DWI charge is the impact o...

On today's episode, Jake sits down with the local master of a scaling a small firm designed to fight for the little guy, Brian King . Brian has been practicing law for more than 20 years and during that timeframe grown King Law to over 15 locations in North and South Carolina. With a team of over 50 attorneys and staff, Brian's law practice, based out of small-town Forest City, brings a big firm p...

In most DWI cases in North Carolina, the first consequence of the charge that your client will need to navigate is the 30-day civil revocation of his driver's license. In this episode learn how to contest the initial 30-day license revocation, in what circumstances requesting a hearing to contest the license revocation would make sense, and how a conversation with a potential client about his opti...

Episode 69: Web Branding Strategy with Karin Conroy   On today's episode, Jake sits down with attorney branding strategist, Karin Conroy. Karin's marketing company Conroy Creative Counsel supports attorneys and law firm in their web-based branding strategy. Due to her focus on the legal industry, Karin has incredible marketing insights to share for lawyers wanting to take their web presence to the...

Episode 68: One Page Strategic Plan   How do you get your team aligned and make sure your vision for the future of the firm stays focused and clear? You need a written strategic plan for your firm. At Minick Law, we use the One-Page Strategic Plan created by Scaling Up. The one-page strategic plan is the easiest way to allow your team to understand where you are headed and to have a simple and cle...