According to the CDC, more than 1.4 million people were arrested for driving while intoxicated in 2010. That number is a mere 1% of the 112 million reported episodes of impaired driving for the same year. If you’ve recently been arrested for DWI, the first thing you need to do is obtain legal representation. Your attorney will act on behalf of your best interests and help you navigate through what can be a stressful situation. Understanding the legal process can also be helpful. Here’s what to expect after your North Carolina DWI arrest: According to the CDC, more than 1.4 million people were arrested for driving while intoxicated in 2010. That number is a mere 1% of the 112 million reported episodes of impaired driving for the same year. If you’ve recently been arrested for DWI, the first thing you need to do is obtain legal representation. Your attorney will act on behalf of your best interests and help you navigate through what can be a stressful situation. Understanding the legal process can also be helpful. Here’s what to expect after your North Carolina DWI arrest:
Following the Arrest
In North Carolina, the legal limit for driving under the influence is .08. If during sobriety testing the driver registers at this level or higher, they are charged with DWI and placed under arrest. Whether or not you will be released or placed in jail depends on the decision of the magistrate. Your license will immediately be revoked for 30 days when you arrive at the police station, a process called “civil revocation.”
What about Driving Privileges?
It is possible to obtain driving privileges 10 days after being arrested if you complete the DWI Substance Abuse Assessment and comply with all requirements of the assessment. If you choose not to do this, you may retrieve your operator’s license for a $75 fine from the court clerk’s office after a period of 30 days. Whether or not you will be allowed to keep your license depends on the outcome of your case. Depending on BAC and other factors, you may be required to install an Ignition Interlock device on your vehicle.
Trial and Sentencing
Your trial date will be between three to six weeks after your arrest. In the duration between your arrest and your trial, your attorney can advise you of the best course of action. This may include completion of the aforementioned DWI Substance Abuse Assessment and compliance with the results and recommendations of the assessment. If found guilty, the severity of your sentence will depend on a variety of factors, including whether or not this is your first offense, blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and even your behavior at the time of your arrest. Your attorney can tell you everything you need to know about the possible outcomes of your DWI case, and will work to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Being arrested for DWI is not something anyone wants to go through. If you find yourself in this situation, quality legal representation from an experienced attorney is an absolute must. At the Law Office of John C. Fitzpatrick, we believe everyone deserves quality legal representation. We provide prompt, personalized service and are here to help you through every part of the legal process.