Bill Powers

ATTORNEY PROFILE
The 2018 North Carolina Super Lawyers Magazine includes Bill Powers on the:

“TOP 100" North Carolina Super Lawyers List
"TOP 25" in Charlotte Super Lawyers List
12 YEARS Selected to Super Lawyers

Bill Powers is listed individually within the The 2018 Best Lawyers in America© publication for his work in Criminal Defense, also being named in 2017:

"Lawyer of the Year - Criminal Defense: General Practice"
Charlotte, NC
2017 Best Lawyers®

Powers Landreth PLLC also included in the 2018 U.S. News – Best Lawyers ® “Best Law Firms” publication. The firm has been named a Charlotte Tier 1 “Best Law Firms” for the area of DUI / DWI Defense.

Bill Powers is also listed individually within the The Best Lawyers in America 2018 publication for his work in DUI / DWI Defense and Criminal Defense: General Practice.

Bill is a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy / National Board of Legal Specialty Certification.

Bill Powers helps clients with:

Criminal Defense: Serious Felonies and General Misdemeanors
DWI DUI Impaired Driving Defense
Traffic Offenses / Traffic Court: Speeding, Reckless Driving, DMV and Moving Violations
Complex Wrongful Death Claims - Alcohol-Related Injuries, Wrecks, and Fatalities
Martindale-Hubbell lists Bill Powers as an AV "Preeminent Lawyer" 2010 - 2018*

The National Trial Lawyers has included Bill Powers in "Top 100 Trial Lawyers" in North Carolina in 2018. www.nationaltriallawyers.org/profile-view/Bill/Powers/5071/

Past President of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice 2016 - 2017. Attorney Powers has also been listed in Business North Carolina Magazine, Legal Elite 2018. *AV Preeminent and BV Distinguished are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell.

Awards, Certifications & Criterion for Inclusion SEE: https://www.carolinaattorneys.com/awards-and-associations.html

• Criminal Law
• DUI & DWI
• Traffic Tickets
• Personal Injury

• Free Consultation
  Payment plans available
• Credit Cards Accepted
  Payment plans / automatic billing available.
• Contingent Fees
  Personal Injury & Wrongful Death litigation only. Matters involving Impaired Driving, DWI / DUI, Criminal Defense & Traffic Law specifically can NOT be on a contingency fee basis.
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Guaranteed flat fee, in writing, for DWI / DUI, Criminal Defense & Traffic Law issues.

North Carolina

Since 1992

Partner

Powers Landreth PLLC

2017 - Current

Immediate Past President

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

2017 - Current

https://www.ncaj.com/index.cfm?pg=Leadership

President

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

2016 - 2017

President Elect

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

2015 - 2016

ncaj.com

Vice President - Communications

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

2013 - 2015

Campbell University

J.D. (1992) | Juris Doctorate (JD) - Law School

1989 - 1992

Honors: Academic Scholarship. Book Award "Jurisprudence"

North Carolina State University

B.A. (1988) | Political Science

1985 - 1988

Order of Service

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

2017

While we have the “Ebbie Awards” which recognize members who go above and beyond in their commitment, dedica?on and service to NCAJ, the Order of Service is a broader recogni?on of members who have given generously of their ?me and talent to NCAJ by serving a minimum of two areas. These areas include amicus brief wri?ng, wri?ng manuscripts and speaking at CLE seminars, ac?vely serving on commi?ees, wri?ng ar?cles for Trial Briefs, chairing educa?onal programs, wri?ng for various NCAJ publica?on projects, chairing sec?ons or divisions, among other things. The goal of this recogni?on is to let those of you who give so much of your ?me know how much we appreciate you and to encourage others to join your ranks!

Order of Service

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

2016

Continuing Legal Education Co-Chair / Program Host NCSCCLE DWI/DUI Continuing Education

Order of Service

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

2015

Continuing Legal Education

Order of Service

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

2014

Ebbie Award

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

Immediate Past President

2017 - Current

DUIDLA DUI DEFENSE LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

Founding Member

2015 - Current

Activities: Continuing Legal Education

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

President

2016 - 2017

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

President Elect

2015 - 2016

Activities: Finance & Personnel, Chair Nominating & Awards Committee, Chair

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

Vice President - Communications

2013 - 2015

North Carolina DWI

Self Published

2017

North Carolina DWI

Self Published

2014

Trial Skills Workshops - Cross Examination, WINNING DUI TRIALS with a Little Southern Charm, Charleston, South Carolina

September 16, 2017

DUIDLA DUI DEFENSE LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

http://duidla.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-Revised-Charleston-brochure.pdf

Courtroom Preparation & Defense Perspective - Standardized Field Sobriety Testing SFST - Law Enforcement, SFST Training - Cabarrus County Sheriff's Department, Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office

February 13, 2016

Cabarrus County Sheriff's Department

An Ethical Guide to Old School and New School Communication Skills, Mecklenburg County Bar - "Google for Practitioners", Charlotte, North Carolina

January 27, 2016

Mecklenburg County Bar

https://www.meckbar.org/UserFiles/files/alison/FinalFlyer012716.pdf

Breath Testing - Science Behind the Devices, DWI & DUI Advocacy - Masters of DWI, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

September 17, 2015

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

https://www.ncaj.com/index.cfm?pg=events&evAction=showDetail&eid=25138&evSubAction=viewMonth&calmonth=201509

Attacking the Science in DWI Cases, 2015 UNC School of Government: Spring Public Defender and Investigator Conference, Greensboro, North Carolina

April 12, 2015

North Carolina School of Government

THE GIANTS SPEAK, NCAJ - Criminal Masters of Advocacy, Wilmington, North Carolina

June 15, 2013

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

https://www.ncaj.com/index.cfm?pg=events&evAction=showDetail&eid=11869&evSubAction=listAll

Controlled Drinking SFST Demonstration - DWI DUI Impaired Driving Emerging Topics & Legislative Efforts, NCSCCLE - Momentum, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

September 27, 2012

NCSCCLE

Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist - "Criminal Trial Advocacy"

National Board of Legal Specialty Certification / National Board of Trial Advocacy (See: http://www.nblsc.us/criminal_law/)

Q. I got charged with a misdemeanor of larceny against Walmart

22 June 2018

A: Retain legal counsel. Crimes of theft or "dishonesty" carry long-term consequences. It can make it hard, if not impossible, to find and keep a good job. My former law partner Chris McCartan is in Cabarrus County. He's an excellent lawyer and super nice guy. Bill Powers CarolinaAttorneys.com

Q. why would a lawyer want 1,600 up front instead of taking it out of a settlement from an accident?

21 June 2018

A: Probably best to ask the lawyer. There are times when a pure contingency fee doesn't make sense. One would have to think the lawyer gave the reasons / reasoning. Talk to your lawyer. bill

Q. I had a dwi in 2009, was told to this date I still have to install an interlock. Is there a loophole, no other charges.

14 June 2018

A: GREAT QUESTION! If that's part of a "conditional restoration," DMV isn't going to budge on that. There is no loophole. See: https://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/statutes/statutelookup.pl?statute=20-19 (e1) Notwithstanding subsection (e) of this section, the Division may conditionally restore the license of a person to whom subsection (e) applies after it has been revoked for at least three years under subsection (e) if the person provides the Division with satisfactory proof of all of the following: (1) In the three years immediately preceding the person's application for a restored license, the person has not been convicted in North Carolina or in any other state or federal court of a motor vehicle offense, an alcohol beverage control law offense, a drug law offense, or any criminal offense involving the consumption of alcohol or drugs. (2) The person is not currently an excessive user of alcohol, drugs, or prescription drugs, or unlawfully using any controlled substance. The person may voluntarily submit themselves to continuous alcohol monitoring for the purpose of proving abstinence from alcohol consumption during a period of revocation immediately prior to the restoration consideration. a. Monitoring periods of 120 days or longer shall be accepted by the Division as evidence of abstinence if the Division receives sufficient documentation that reflects that the person abstained from alcohol use during the monitoring period. b. The continuous alcohol monitoring system shall be a system approved under G.S. 15A-1343.3. c. The Division may establish guidelines for the acceptance of evidence of abstinence under this subdivision. Good luck! Bill Powers Charlotte DWI Lawyers CarolinaAttorneys.com

Q. What are the consequences of refusing a breath test?

14 June 2018

A: GREAT QUESTION. The long-term consequences for a "Willful Refusal" can be substantial under the NC DWI laws. Refusing breath or blood tests as part of a DWI investigation may result in the loss or suspension of your license, without any form of "hardship" or "limited driving privilege" for an extended period of time. It may also be used as a "negative inference" at the criminal trial. A Willful Refusal may even result in DMV requiring an Ignition Interlock Device once the license is Conditionally Restored by DMV. Frankly, it is an incredibly complicated and sometimes confusing aspect of DWI cases in North Carolina. Experienced defense attorneys do their best, as part of legal representation, to do their best to explain the nuances and complexities of the NC DWI Laws. Here are some blog posts on the NC Implied Consent laws: https://www.carolinaattorneys.com/implied-consent.html https://www.carolinaattorneys.com/license-suspension.html https://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/refusal-hearing-appeal-to-superior-court BEST BET: Retain an experienced DWI lawyer immediately. There are often important timing issues on refusal cases AND Wake County has some local rules regarding the preparation of a DWI defense that must be considered. BTW, John Fanney in Wake County is excellent. Please say "hey" if you decide to call him: https://www.fanneylaw.com/ Great question! Best of luck to you. Bill Powers

Q. Will I get in trouble because I lied ?

14 June 2018

A: First, I must say it took guts to write this inquiry. We all make mistakes, especially when we're young, not fully understanding the consequences or how our actions can terribly hurt others. Second, given the nature and type of the inquiry, one would have to assume we're talking about statutory rape or indecent liberties criminal charges in North Carolina. In-person communications with an experienced criminal defense attorney would be appropriate. As good as Justia is for general inquiries, the subject matter is WAY too sensitive for a public forum. If someone has been wrongly convicted, is sitting in prison, or has a felony on their record, one would hope the legal system would want to correct that injustice. Generally speaking, it would be quite unusual to see someone in trouble for literally setting the record straight, especially given the age and pressure one might endure from parents and law enforcement. But, it does make sense to talk to an attorney about all that. Put simply, once that train gets rolling, it can be hard to stop. Believe-it-or-not, judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement do not want innocent people sitting in prison, convicted of life-changing felony charges. Indeed, they are as committed to justice and the Rule of Law as much as anyone you'll ever meet. BEST BET: Talk to an attorney ASAP. Most lawyers provide a free, confidential consultation. Again, you are to be applauded for wanting to do the right thing. Talk to a lawyer ASAP and hopefully end this living hell an innocent person might be in. Bill Powers North Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyers CarolinaAttorneys.com

Q. I was wondering if I could get a improper equipment if my child car seat wasn’t hooked properly in the car.?

6 June 2018

A: Now that is a REALLY good question. You get a gold star for "stumping the lawyer," or at least this lawyer. Normally an improper equipment relates to SPEEDING charges, as the "improper equipment" is referenced (tangentially) in that statute, see subsection "o" in NCGA 20-141: https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_20/gs_20-141.html Frankly, when we've seen these in the past (in the Charlotte-Metro region), we've sought help with the police department in hooking the things up. Indeed, there are occasionally clinics or "we'll show you how" Saturdays where law enforcement will take a look and see if the seat is installed correctly. One would think, and hope, prosecutors would be willing to work something out, especially for someone who had a seat and was trying to do the right thing. We used to refer to my daughter as Houdini when it came to car seats. She was a master of getting unbuckled and gracious goodness, heaven forbid if you have to move the seat from one type of car to another. Everyone thinks it is easy strapping those things down. . .it's not. BEST BET: Retain an attorney, as it may be the type of citation that could be bad on insurance. Most criminal defense and NC traffic lawyers provide a free consult, just to give you legal options and guidance. Again, GREAT QUESTION! For more info on NC Traffic Law, check out our Podcast episode: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/bill-powers/nc-law-talk-dwi-traffic-drug-crimes-criminal-defense-tips/e/52721304 Bill Powers CarolinaAttorneys.com

Q. What is sentencing for 5 counts of contributing to delinauent of minor. I didnt supply it the marinuania but caught them

5 June 2018

A: Too complicated for a general answer on Justia. Talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney. Most lawyers in NC provide a free intitial consultation. Bill Powers CarolinaAttorneys.com

Q. Would it be better to get a lawyer or just pay ticket fines and the cost to reinstate my license?

4 June 2018

A: It's hard to imagine an instance where a lawyer wouldn't help, especially if there is already a suspension or revocation. Put simply, talk to an attorney. Many, if not most, criminal defense lawyers offer free consultations. As such, it doesn't cost anything to call a lawyer, ask questions, and see how they can help. Bill Powers CarolinaAttorneys.com

Q. Which statute should I specifically petition my expungment under?

30 May 2018

A: Filling out legal documents is what lawyers do. Best bet: Retain an attorney.