Traffic Offense Attorney and DWI Lawyer Serving Raleigh and Wake County
A speeding ticket or DWI charge can cost you your license, your insurance rate, and a clean record for years to come.
What a Traffic Offense Attorney at Guirguis Law Handles
Guirguis Law represents drivers cited in Raleigh's Administrative Traffic Court and those charged with driving while impaired (DWI) throughout Wake, Durham, and Johnston counties. Whether you received a citation for speeding, an expired registration, or a first offense DWI, a traffic offense attorney can review the stop, the evidence, and your driving record before you decide how to respond.
Many drivers assume paying a ticket is the simplest option, but that payment is a guilty plea that stays on your record. Our team includes a state criminal defense lawyer who is board certified in criminal law, and we look for ways to reduce or dismiss the underlying charge instead of accepting the citation at face value.
This service is built for commuters on I-40 and US-1, delivery drivers, students, and anyone else who cannot afford a suspended license or a permanent mark on their driving history.
Key Considerations Before You Pay a Ticket or Plead Guilty
Traffic and DWI cases move fast, and the decisions you make in the first few days after a citation shape everything that follows. Before you respond to a ticket or a DWI charge on your own, weigh what is actually at stake.
- Paying a ticket online is a legal admission of guilt that stays on your driving record
- Insurance premiums can rise significantly after even one moving violation
- A DWI conviction can trigger license revocation, fines, probation, or jail time
- You have a limited window to request a DMV hearing after a DWI arrest
- A past conviction may later qualify for record clearing through an expungement lawyer
- Out-of-state drivers face additional reporting consequences in their home state
- Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association
- NC Board Certified Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Defense, 2012
- Serving Wake, Durham and Johnston counties since 2008
How We Handle Your Traffic or DWI Case From Citation to Resolution
Every case starts with a conversation about what happened during the stop and what is at risk. From there, our team builds a strategy suited to your charge and your court date.
Case Review and Records Request
We review your citation, your driving history, and any body camera or dash camera footage tied to your stop, then request the arresting officer's notes and any lab or breath test records.
Evidence and Procedure Check
Our criminal defense attorney team examines whether the stop, arrest, or testing followed proper procedure, looking for issues that could lead to reduced charges or a dismissal.
Negotiation or Motion Practice
We negotiate with the prosecutor where the facts support it and file motions to suppress evidence or challenge testing methods when procedure was not followed.
Court Representation and Resolution
We appear in Raleigh's Administrative Traffic Court or the appropriate criminal courtroom on your behalf whenever possible, and we help you understand license restoration or limited driving privileges once your case resolves.
Attorneys Who Handle Traffic and DWI Defense
Two attorneys at Guirguis Law regularly represent clients facing traffic citations and DWI charges across Wake, Durham, and Johnston counties.
Nardine Mary Guirguis
Nardine is a North Carolina Board-Certified Specialist in Criminal Law and the founding attorney at Guirguis Law, with deep experience in DWI defense and Raleigh traffic court strategy.
Robert E. Waters
Robert represents clients in traffic and DWI matters throughout Wake County courts, working closely with each client to prepare a defense well before their first court date.
Why Drivers Across Wake, Durham, and Johnston Counties Choose Guirguis Law
Guirguis Law's office sits on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh, minutes from the Wake County Courthouse and the Wake County Justice Center where many traffic and DWI cases are heard. That proximity means our team knows the judges, the prosecutors, and the rhythm of Raleigh's Administrative Traffic Court firsthand.
Beyond traffic and criminal defense, Guirguis Law is a full-service firm. Our attorneys also work as your personal injury lawyer, divorce lawyer, estate planning lawyer, or immigration lawyer, so a related legal issue does not fall through the cracks.
Our faith-based approach means we treat clients as people first, not case numbers, and we connect clients to outside legal services and resources that support a full recovery, not just a favorable court date.
Frequently Asked Questions About Traffic and DWI Charges
Here are answers to some of the questions drivers in Raleigh and Wake County ask our team most often.
Should I just pay my traffic ticket instead of hiring an attorney?
Paying a ticket online is treated as a guilty plea in North Carolina and goes straight onto your driving record. A traffic offense attorney can often negotiate a reduced charge or a prayer for judgment that keeps points and insurance increases off your record instead.
How does a DWI charge differ from a routine speeding ticket?
A DWI is a criminal charge, not a simple traffic infraction, and it carries the possibility of jail time, license revocation, and a permanent criminal record. A DWI lawyer handles the case very differently than a routine citation, starting with a review of the traffic stop itself.
Will a DWI conviction affect my commercial driver's license?
Yes. CDL holders face stricter penalties and can lose their commercial driving privileges even after a first offense, which often means losing a job built around driving. Speaking with our team quickly gives you the best chance of protecting both a standard and a commercial license.
Can a traffic offense attorney help me avoid a court appearance?
In many cases, yes. Our attorneys can appear in Raleigh's Administrative Traffic Court on your behalf for routine citations, so you do not have to take time off work or arrange transportation downtown for a minor violation.
Protect Your License Before Your Court Date Arrives
The sooner a traffic offense attorney reviews your citation or DWI charge, the more options you have for keeping your record and your license intact. Call Guirguis Law today to talk through what happened and what comes next.
