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Underage DWI

Juvenile DUI Defense Attorney in Kinston

Trusted Lawyers & Advocates for Juvenile DWI Offenses

At Pittman Agner, our attorneys understand the legal and personal challenges teens and their families experience when facing juvenile DWI charges. Our team is comprised of former prosecutors, experienced litigators, and investigators who know how to spot issues early, build a strong defense, and provide the steadfast support your family deserves. We're here to guide you step by step, explaining timelines, court processes, and what to expect at every stage of your case.  

Our commitment to you: family-focused, practical solutions and compassionate guidance, every step of the way.

Contact us online or at (919) 893-0090 for a confidential consultation. 

Decades of Local Knowledge & Proactive, Team-Based Defense

With over 60 years of combined experience, our firm has earned a reputation for thoughtfully guiding clients through juvenile DUI matters throughout eastern North Carolina. Every case we handle benefits from our intimate familiarity with Lenoir County District Court, local procedures, and the subtle factors influencing outcomes here. 

By uniting our diverse experience and backgrounds, we craft defense strategies with a clear focus: safeguarding your child’s record, educational prospects, and long-term goals. Part of our role as your defense team is anticipating how the local court, school policies, and community programs may affect the journey ahead. To do this, we maintain strong relationships with clerks, juvenile court counselors, and community agencies so that we can promptly address any new developments in your child’s case. We're also prepared to counsel parents about avoiding additional consequences—from school discipline to driver’s license complications—ensuring no detail is overlooked in building a robust defense.

Comprehensive Juvenile DUI Defense in Kinston

Driving After Consuming 

While North Carolina law uses the term "DWI" (Driving While Impaired), some people also use "DUI" informally. Under state law, drivers under age 21 are subject to a strict zero-tolerance policy: any detectable amount of alcohol or drugs in their system can lead to charges for Driving After Consuming, even if they are below the standard adult DWI limit. 

Penalties are steep—an immediate 30-day license revocation is followed, upon conviction, by a mandatory one-year license suspension. Additional consequences can include fines, probation, community service, and required alcohol education, and even a first offense may affect a young person’s education, scholarship prospects, or extracurricular participation. 

In Kinston, most juvenile DWI cases begin in Lenoir County District Court and,if the accused is under 18, usually proceed in the juvenile justice system, where courts emphasize rehabilitation and alternative punishments for eligible first-time offenders. Our team is experienced in guiding families through these complex proceedings and works to prioritize the best outcome for young people facing these charges.

  • Collaborative strategy: We engage attorneys, paralegals, and investigators to examine every aspect of the case, ensuring no opportunity for defense is missed.
  • Full client support: We ensure families always have access to our team for questions, progress updates, and explanations.
  • Clear explanations: Every legal step is broken down and discussed in simple terms so families are empowered and confident through the process.
  • Consistent communication: We keep families informed with regular updates and open lines of communication.

Our holistic approach means we look beyond the immediate charge, considering how each legal decision may influence future academic pathways, scholarships, and employment. When it benefits your child, we coordinate with school counselors, resource officers, and local treatment providers to open the door to educational or diversion programs in Kinston. Every step is designed to build a meaningful defense and give families peace of mind—with documentation, proactive check-ins, and honest conversations at every phase.

Contact Our Juvenile DWI Defense Lawyers for Guidance & Relief

If your family is facing the uncertainty of a juvenile DUI charge in Kinston or Lenoir County, call (919) 893-0090. Our team provides clear answers, reliable support, and a coordinated defense designed to protect your child’s record and future. With us, you’ll receive direct communication, proactive case management, and a compassionate approach that keeps you involved every step of the way. 

By scheduling a confidential consultation, you’ll access clear explanations, timely updates, and ongoing support from a group of professionals truly invested in your family’s well-being and your child’s future in Kinston. 

Contact us to get started. 

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What Sets Us Apart From The Rest?

Pittman Agner is here to help you get the results you need with a team you can trust.

  • Committed to the Best Result
    Our team of skilled and dedicated attorneys has the drive, resources, and knowledge to obtain the best possible result on your behalf. Regardless of your situation, we make your case our mission.
  • Committed to Treating You With Respect

    Agner Pittman is a family and when we take on your case, you become part of that family. We work one on one with you to ensure we obtain the best possible outcome on your behalf.

  • Committed to Keeping You Informed
    At the end of the day, this is your case and your future. We want to make sure at all steps of your case that you are confident in the decisions being made and are informed of your options.
  • Committed to Doing What's Right

    At Agner Pittman we pride ourselves on delivering the quality legal counsel we would want for ourselves and our families. We will do what's in your best interest at all times.

What to Expect Throughout the Legal Process

When a minor is charged with DWI in North Carolina, the process often starts with a traffic stop, field sobriety tests, and arrest by law enforcement. For defendants under age 18, charges typically involve contact with a juvenile intake counselor who assesses the case and may refer it to juvenile court. However, under North Carolina law, DWI and other Chapter 20 motor vehicle offenses committed by juveniles—especially those ages 16 and 17—are generally prosecuted in adult court, not juvenile court, due to statutory exceptions. Juvenile court is designed for rehabilitation, but DWI charges often bypass juvenile proceedings and proceed directly to Lenoir County District Court in Kinston, where standard adult criminal procedures and penalties are applied.

If a younger child (usually under age 16) is charged, the case may still start in the juvenile justice system with an emphasis on rehabilitation and alternative sanctions. For older teens, or if the offense is especially serious, the matter will be resolved in adult criminal court, where harsher penalties and long-lasting consequences—including license suspension, fines, and a criminal record—are possible. The distinction between juvenile and adult court is crucial, as adult court offers fewer protections and more severe outcomes.

Our juvenile DUI lawyers help families through each phase. 

  • Initial consultation: A confidential review of your child’s case, immediate legal advice, and a customized plan for next steps.
  • Case investigation: Careful review of all facts (breath tests, police conduct, documentation, and administrative actions) to challenge weaknesses.
  • Engagement with local agencies: Direct communication with Lenoir County counselors, school resource officers, and community programs to advocate for your child’s best interests.
  • Personalized defense planning: Building a defense that prioritizes diversion, alternative sentencing, or program eligibility in Kinston, if available.
  • Constant updates: Maintaining ongoing communication and guidance, ensuring families always know the current status and next steps.

Throughout this process, we answer every question and clarify each deadline so families never feel left in the dark. We'll explain hearings regarding license revocation or eligibility for limited driving privileges. 

We represent young clients at all court appearances, negotiate with prosecutors for constructive alternatives, and offer comprehensive support with any court-ordered requirements. Because a single misstep can cause delays or harsher penalties, we are committed to close, attentive case management from start to finish, minimizing stress and confusion for families navigating the Kinston justice system.

Attorney Billy Strickland
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