LENOIR, N.C. — Lenoir attorney Timothy J. Rohr recently gained certification in DWI detection and administration of the standard field sobriety tests that law enforcement administers to those they suspect of driving while impaired. Rohr, a partner in the Wilson, Lackey, Rohr & Hall, P.C. law firm, earned the certification in Dallas, TX.

“The certification will enable me to cross-examine police officers in DWI hearings more effectively,” says Rohr. “Sometimes police officers administer the tests improperly. This can result in wrongful arrests. Without an aggressive defense,” he says, “those accused may be wrongly convicted.” Pointing out these testing errors to a judge may persuade the judge to dismiss the charges or keep out evidence against an accused.

The three standard field sobriety tests are known as Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk and Turn, and One-Leg Stand. Rohr was also certified in general DWI detection, which includes the reason an officer stops a vehicle. The training program was created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).

According to Rohr, “The knowledge I gained in the certification program will help me understand how improper investigation and test administration can affect the results of the tests. It will allow me to better defend clients against erroneous charges.” Knowledge of the specifics of DWI investigation and SFST administration may help an attorney negotiate a plea agreement that lessens the penalties of a conviction even if the case against the driver is otherwise strong.

Rohr practices DWI, traffic, criminal, family, and general civil law throughout the Foothills of North Carolina and also serves as the attorney for the City of Lenoir. He has argued cases before the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the North Carolina Supreme Court. He has taught continuing legal education courses statewide and previously served as a member of the Lenoir City Council. He earned his bachelor’s and law degrees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Wilson, Lackey, Rohr & Hall, P.C.

Rohr is one of three attorneys with Wilson, Lackey, Rohr & Hall, P.C., serving residents and businesses in the Western North Carolina foothills. The firm’s areas of practice include criminal, DWI, and traffic law, personal injury and wrongful death, real estate, family law, corporate law, and wills and powers of attorney. The other attorneys in the firm are David S. Lackey and Destin C. Hall. Lackey has a general civil practice, including family, personal injury, real estate, appeals, and business law. He has been Caldwell County attorney since 1990. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Duke University and his law degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Hall is a general practice attorney and serves many of the firm’s clients in Catawba, Burke, and surrounding counties. He practices personal injury, family, and criminal law. He is the attorney for the Caldwell County Board of Education. He also has earned the North Carolina Advocates for Justice Award for being the most outstanding advocate in trial practice. He received his bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University and his law degree from the Wake Forest University School of Law.