If convicted of DWI in North Carolina, you can expect to pay much more than just fines and court costs. Many other significant expenses, such as lost wages and increased insurance rates, can come with a DWI. You can even face time in prison. This blog post will look at the real cost of a DWI conviction in North Carolina and how to lower the likelihood of facing severe DWI consequences.
What is a DWI in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, if an officer suspects you are driving while impaired (DWI), they may pull you over for a minor traffic violation such as speeding, expired registration, or a headlight out.
However, if you were drinking or ingested drugs or some medications, you could face DWI charges. An officer can arrest you on the spot if they believe your impaired driving is due to substances. Blowing more than a .08 on a breathalyzer is a DWI offense.
What are the Consequences of a DWI Conviction?
The consequences of DWI in North Carolina are more than you might imagine. For example, let’s say you go to dinner with friends and have a few drinks. Law enforcement stops you and asks to give you a breathalyzer.
If you blow a .10 on the breathalyzer, you could face charges for one of six levels of misdemeanor DWI, with Aggravated Level 1 being the most serious.
Fines and More
Even the lowest Level 5 DWI can have severe consequences, with fines up to $200 and a minimum jail sentence of 24 hours to 60 days.
A judge can suspend the sentence and instead require you to spend 24 hours in jail, perform 24 hours of community service or not operate a vehicle for 30 days. (1)
However, even if you are convicted of the lowest level DWI, you will lose your license for a year!
Even worse, if you face an aggravated level 1 DWI, you’re facing fines up to $10,000 and a minimum jail sentence of 1-3 years. And, a judge CANNOT suspend the minimum sentence. Most people sentenced under this level do not receive eligibility for parole.
Other Financial Costs of a DWI Conviction
Without bringing on an experienced DWI attorney, you can face financial consequences beyond fines and court costs. In North Carolina, your insurance premiums rise if you earn SDIP points on your license for infractions.
These DWI convictions bring 12 SDIP points each!
- Blood alcohol level of .08 or more while driving
- Blood alcohol level of .04 or more while driving a commercial vehicle
- Driving while impaired (A conviction for any substance that affects your driving)
If you receive a conviction for just one of the above offenses, you get 12 points on your license, and your insurance premiums increase by 340%!
For example, if you paid $2,000 for car insurance last year, after your DWI conviction your rate will skyrocket to $6,800 per year! In other words, it’s quite likely you won’t be able to afford to drive anymore!
You can also lose the car you were driving during a DWI arrest. In some cases, a law enforcement officer can immediately, at the scene, seize your car and charge you with a DWI. If convicted, the state keeps your vehicle and sells it for profit.
Emotional and Mental Costs of a DWI Conviction
The legal system is harsh to DWI offenders, especially in Wake County. There are a multitude of consequences you may face if convicted. Finding the best criminal defense team to help you is crucial.
- Criminal Record: A criminal record might affect job prospects and make finding an apartment difficult. Your record also shows up on any background checks for volunteer positions or if someone else wants to find out more about you online. Personal record services online often display criminal records for paying customers.
- No Expungement: If convicted of DWI, it stays on your criminal record for your entire life. The state of NC expunges many non-violent crimes, but DWI is not one of them. You must live with the conviction unless your defense team can successfully defend you in court.
- Loss of Job: If you are a commercial driver, school, activity, or child care driver, your first DWI disqualifies you from driving commercially for 10 days. Another DWI offense revokes your license for ANY kind of driving.
- Driver’s License Revocation: You lose your license for 30 days (with possible limited driving privileges after 10 days) as soon as you are charged and then again for at least one year or more with multiple previous offenses or aggravating factors.
How To Fight a DWI Conviction: DWI Defenses
Without an experienced defender, you won’t know which defenses a court or district attorney might take into account! However, with an experienced DWI defender on your side, you increase the possibility of reduced or dismissed charges.
Some of the defenses your attorney may use against a DWI conviction include:
- Knoll Motion Defense
- Ferguson Motion Defense
- Absher Motion Defense
- Challenging the stop of your vehicle
- Challenging your arrest
- Challenging the post-arrest procedure
- No witness allowed
- Officer losing video evidence that would have helped your case
- Other witness testimony at the scene of an arrest
- Steps that the magistrate took to hold you on a secured bond
- And many more ways an experienced attorney can challenge your DWI charges!
We Can Help
If you face DWI charges, your future depends on your legal defense team! At Scharff Law Firm, we have the experience and know-how to defend you against DWI charges. We examine every search and seizure and violation of your rights to find your best defense strategy.
One mistake should not determine the course of your life!
We offer a free consultation so that we can answer any questions you may have about your charges, and we will work tirelessly on your behalf to get the best possible outcome for your case! Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
