| Throughout the US, the States use many acronyms, | | | | around the fines and other judicial punishments of the |
| like DUI, OWI, and DWAI, to refer to drunk driving | | | | case. A conviction in this case could result in the |
| laws. North Carolina's drunk driving laws are known as | | | | permanent loss of your driver's license, which is why |
| DWI (driving while impaired). If you're charged with a | | | | it's so important to locate the best dwi lawyer. The |
| DWI/DUI in North Carolina, it was because your fitness | | | | criminal punishments for your first North Carolina DUI |
| to drive (either physical or mental) was believed to be | | | | include fines from $100 to $2,000, from 24 hours to 24 |
| impaired, or your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) | | | | months in prison, and 24 hours of community service. |
| was chemically tested and found to be .08 or above. | | | | It's important to note that a dwi conviction remains on |
| A DUI in North Carolina triggers two separate cases. In | | | | your record forever. |
| some circumstances, these cases can be intertwined, | | | | You may also want to seek legal counsel because |
| and a drunk driving lawyer can help you sort it out. The | | | | North Carolina sanctions can be flexible and dependent |
| first is the administrative case, which centers around | | | | upon the conditions, as well as any aggravating |
| your driver's license and your driving privileges. North | | | | circumstances, of your dwi arrest. For example, North |
| Carolina is an implied consent state, meaning you gave | | | | Carolina can seize your vehicle if another State has |
| your consent to be tested by law enforcement when | | | | revoked your license and that offense is determined to |
| you were issued your driver's license. For drivers who | | | | be similar to a DWI in North Carolina. Another example |
| do not live in North Carolina but who are arrested for | | | | is if your BAC is at or greater than .16; if so, you will be |
| dui there, gave their consent just by virtue of traveling | | | | required to have an ignition interlock device installed on |
| on North Carolina's roads. When you are arrested for | | | | your vehicle at your own expense. |
| DUI, it does not matter whether you failed your BAC | | | | Finally, if you have had prior North Carolina DWI |
| test, or if you refused to take one - they each result in | | | | offenses, there are new BAC rules for which you |
| a revocation of your license from 30 days to one | | | | need to abide. If you have had your license reinstated |
| year. You may want to contact a dwi lawyer, | | | | after a dwi offense, you have a new maximum |
| because you do have the right to an administrative | | | | allowed BAC level of .04. If you've had a second |
| hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles if you | | | | offense, your new BAC level is .00. An interesting point |
| refused the test. And, if your lawyer wins, you might | | | | here is that a dwi remains on your record for 7 years. |
| be able to qualify for a limited license after six months | | | | Do you have all the facts? Maybe you should find a |
| of the revocation. | | | | good dwi defense lawyer, just in case you don't. |
| The second case is a criminal case that centers | | | | |