DWI/DUI
Driving While Impaired is the offense of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Getting caught in this act can be one of life’s most frightening experiences: flashing lights, confusing tests, blood being drawn from your arm, a night in jail and then they take your driver’s license. The feelings of uncertainty and fear can be overwhelming.
How we can help
At Tuorto Law we know that having a plan in place for attacking your DWI charge will give you peace of mind. Our first priority is returning a sense of normalcy to your life. Step one typically involves obtaining a provisional license to get you back on the road. In step two, we dissect the facts of your case and explain all the elements of the charge to you and start looking at all possible defenses.
DRUG OFFENSES
If you are under investigation or have been charged with a drug crime, you need to immediately begin building your defense with the help of an experienced attorney. The penalties for drug crimes vary greatly and sentences can range from probation to mandatory prison time. One important question in almost all drug cases is whether the police had probable cause to search you, your car, or your home for drugs. The absence of probable cause can lead to suppression of evidence and be a major breakthrough in your defense. In other cases, you may be entitled to have your charges dismissed through a variety of deferred prosecution options, even if you are charged with a felony.
How we can help
No matter what your situation, it is vital to have an attorney review your case and make you are aware of all your options when it comes to your drug charge. Mr. Tuorto approaches every drug case with the same goal in mind: protect his client’s rights, make the state prove its case, and achieve the absolute best outcome. If you feel like you were mistreated by law enforcement, that your right to privacy was infringed upon, call us today and have an experienced and compassionate attorney hear your side of the story.
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VIOLENT CRIMES
Violent crimes are criminal offenses that involve violence or the threat of violence to commit a crime such as assault, simple affray, aggravated assault, sexual assault, manslaughter, or murder. The laws of these crimes can be unyielding and the punishments very harsh. Typically there are orders for no contact that, if violated, could land you in jail.
How we can help
During his time as an Assistant District Attorney, Mr. Tuorto prosecuted hundreds of assaults and domestic violence cases. He has seen these complex cases from both sides and has the experience to help his clients understand what their best defense is and also how to challenge inconstancies in the state’s evidence, specifically weak witness statements. There are always two sides to every story, and in order to make sure your side is known, you need a dedicated and compassionate attorney defending your case.
PROPERTY OFFENSES
Property crimes are usually crimes of theft, damage, or conversion of another’s property. In this category are the crimes of larceny, breaking and/or entering, robbery, obtaining property by false pretenses, injury to real/personal property, possession of stolen goods, shoplifting, trespassing, etc. These crimes have a wide array of penalties including fines and jail time. Also, it is not uncommon for the state to tack inflated restitution owed to alleged victims onto your charge.
How we can help
Crimes of this nature are often thought of as “crimes of moral turpitude,” which can be viewed in the eyes of future employer, schools, or housing authorities very harshly. The negative stigma can follow you your entire life and effect you in many ways. As with all crimes, there is always another side of the story. Mr. Tuorto is here to listen to your version of the truth and help you compare that to the state’s evidence. Often in these cases, clients were genuinely unaware that what they were doing could be considered a crime, let alone a felony. It is important to have an experienced and knowledgeable attorney review your case with you and start looking at options.
SPECIAL NOTE ON GRAFFITI: Buncombe County is home to many graffiti artists, and while they may find your form of expression beautiful, the state does not. The punishment for suspected graffiti damage is severe and often nonnegotiable. If you have been charged with any crime stemming from alleged graffiti, call Mr. Tuorto immediately, as these crimes are serious and you need an attorney fighting on your behalf right away.
TRAFFIC TICKETS
We’ve all been there: late for work, rolling through a stop sign, cutting a yellow light a little too close. You are not a criminal -- you are human. However, your lapse in concentration could make you a human with an increased insurance premium, especially if you just pay your ticket online. Paying your ticket online might be the quickest way to get it handled, but it’s almost never the best.
How we can help
There are a number of options for mitigating the damage of traffic violations. If you are not sure how a reduction in speed will impact your license or what exactly a Prayer for Judgment is, it’s best to contact an attorney who can walk you through the options and choose which is best for you. Tuorto Law offers competitive rates and unmatched customer service on all traffic tickets.
EXPUNCTIONS
Having a criminal conviction on your record can be devastating. It can make it hard to find employment, rent an apartment, or get into school. However, you may be entitled to have your criminal record cleaned. An expunction is one of the most powerful procedures in criminal law and can mean getting into the school you really want or getting the job of your dreams.
