DUI/DWI CHARGES
In an average year, over one million drivers will be arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. After a motorist is arrested on suspicion of a DUI/DWI, it's up to the district attorney's office to prosecute charges against the defendant. The exact nature of criminal charges related to drunk driving depends on a number of factors, including the defendant's prior convictions, the severity of the offense, the level of intoxication, and whether the offense caused injury or death. Continue reading to learn more about North Carolina DUI/DWI laws and how Lundell Law Firm can assist you with your charges.
NORTH CAROLINA
DUI/DWI LAWS
North Carolina has some of the strictest drinking and driving laws ever adopted in the U.S. Known collectively as "driving while impaired" (DWI), motorists who violate the law face severe penalties.
Here's how the law works. If you are driving a motor vehicle and you are visibly intoxicated or have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent of higher, you are violating the law. Typically, a police officer will put you through a series of standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs) to determine if you are actually impaired. You don't need a BAC of 0.08 percent or above to be arrested for a DWI. Bad driving and/or poor performance on SFSTs can be enough.
Legal Limit
A measurement of your BAC is the most common way a police officer can determine whether you're legally impaired.
Here's some additional limits the law imposes:
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21 or Older: 0.08%;
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Commercial drivers: 0.04%;
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Younger than 21: Any alcohol concentration.
North Carolina DWI's Are a Two-Part Process
When you are arrested for a DWI offense in North Carolina, you'll have to deal with both your criminal case and a separate driver's license suspension. The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will handle your license suspension pursuant to the implied consent laws and the North Carolina criminal courts will take care of your criminal penalties.
Possible Criminal Penalties
North Carolina's sentencing structure is very complicated. North Carolina DWI penalties are based on "Levels." Your sentence will be based largely on whether you are a Level 5 (least serious), Level 4, Level 3, Level 2, Level 1, or Level 1 Aggravated (most serious). Your penalties can include possible jail time, a huge fine, and other conditions such as a mandatory 1-year suspension of your driver's license, completion of a Substance Abuse Assessment plus treatment or education classes, and you might have to install an Interlock Device on the car you own or operate. The judge weighs all of the aggravating/mitigating factors to determine your level.
Aggravating Factors include:
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BAC 0.15 Percent or Higher;
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Especially reckless or dangerous driving;
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Driving with a revoked license;
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Speeding;
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Child under 18 years old in the car;
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Prior criminal and driving record; and
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Any other aggravating factors.
Typical Criminal DWI Sentences
Level V: Punishable by a fine up to $200 and a minimum jail sentence of 24 hours and a maximum of 60 days.
Level IV : Punishable by a fine up to $500 and a minimum jail sentence of 48 hours and a maximum of 120 days.
Level III : Punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and a minimum jail sentence of 72 hours and a maximum of six months
Level II: Punishable by a fine up to $2,000 and a minimum jail sentence of seven days and a maximum of one year
Level I: Punishable by a fine up to $4,000 and a minimum jail sentence of 30 days and a maximum of two years
Felony charges:
• 3 DWI Convictions within past seven (7) years;
• Causing serious injury while driving;
• Causing death while driving.
Felony Punishment:
Minimum of one (1) year in state prison.
Call at (704)288-4096 or email consult@LundellLawFirm.com to set-up an initial consultation to discuss your situation with a knowledgeable Union County attorney, contact the Monroe, NC, office of Lundell Law Firm.