William Tate Helms

Tate has served as an Assistant District Attorney, Assistant Public Defender, and defense attorney in private practice. He has prosecuted or defended literally hundreds of criminal cases, ranging from common misdemeanors to felony drug charges to armed robbery and rape. He has handled criminal cases in state district court, state superior court, and federal court.

Tate's civil litigation experience includes zoning enforcement defense, breach of contract cases, child custody litigation, fraud cases, and faulty construction. He recently argued before the North Carolina Court of Appeals as lead counsel on the case Land v. Vill. of Wesley Chapel, 697 S.E.2d 458 (N.C. Ct. App. 2010). The published opinion unanimously affirmed the position of Tate's client.

Tate has extensive experience as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney for charges of driving while impaired. He places special emphasis on challenging the admissibility of alcohol breath tests, on ensuring that the accused's constitutional rights have not been violated, and on making sure clients understand the potential criminal and driver's license consequences of a DWI conviction.

As a general practice attorney, some of Tate's cases cannot be easily lumped into just one category. In addition to his other practice areas, Tate has assisted clients in obtaining name changes, birth certificate amendments, expunctions, etc. Tate also routinely advises members of the immigrant community about the interaction of criminal bonds and ICE (immigration) detainers. He has also represented clients in child support enforcement hearings and restraining order hearings.