What happens if someone gets a DWI in North Carolina?

The DWI Process

• A police officer can stop your car at license check points or if the officer notices you do something "suspicious" because the law states an officer must "encounter you during the lawful course of his duties." This leaves a pretty wide range of ways for an officer to lawfully encounter a driver .  This does not mean, however,  that your attorney can not challenge the reason you were "encountered."

• When a suspect gets stopped by police for whatever reason the officer may request the driver perform “standardized field sobriety tests” or blow into a hand held Breathalyzer. Neither of these is required by law. However, if a driver is not impaired participating could help the driver not be charged by the officer who stopped him or her by demonstrating that he or she is not impaired. If the driver chooses not to participate in the tests, he or she should be as respectful to the officer as possible in refusing (as well as at all other times during the arrest). Being disrespectful in any way usually will cause the driver problems in court.

• If the officer believes he or she has reasonable suspicion that the driver might be Driving While Impaired, the Officer will then arrest the driver and take him or her to the police station. At the station, the arrested person is requested to blow into the Breathalyzer. If the offender refuses to blow into the Breathalyzer at the station, he or she will be charged with “refusal to submit to chemical analysis” and will probably be charged with DWI as well. Refusal to submit to chemical analysis will be used as "evidence of impairment" in court. The driver can request a blood test but will have to have an appropriate medical professional draw the blood within a short time frame, usually no more than about 40 minutes. The police will not usually escort the driver to the hospital at the driver's request. The police can require a blood test for their purposes -- for instance if the driver appears impaired but the Breathalyzer reading appears too low for the amount of impairment observed, or if the driver is unconscious. 

• If the driver registers .08 or higher he or she will likely be charged and arrested for Driving While Impaired. After the charges are filed, the driver will be taken to the magistrate to determine if he or she will be able to go home or to jail. This will be determined by the seriousness of the offense and by input from the police officer as to if he feels you pose a risk of getting into further trouble if you leave the station. Many people have been "released on their own recognizance" only to be right back in trouble in a few hours or less.

• At the police station, during the arrest, the driver's license is revoked for 30 days (on first offense) in what is called a “civil revocation.”  The civil revocation is required of everyone arrested for DWI.

• The offender can get a  driving privilege 10 days after the arrest if the person gets a DWI Substance Abuse Assessment . If the driver gets no assessment, he or she can pick up his or her driver's license at the clerk of court's office after 30 days has passed and by paying a $50 restoration fee at that time. The license is good until the case is resolved in court. 

• here are cases where the driver has been charged with DWI even though the Breathalyzer reading is less than .08. If the officer strongly feels the driver is "impaired" he can still charge the driver with DWI. The officer will then need other evidence in court besides the Breathalyzer. People are sometimes convicted of DWI after smoking marijuana, using cocaine or using other mood altering substances. You can even be convicted of DWI by taking prescribed medication in the correct dosage. 

• Refusal to blow into the Breathalyzer is hardly a good idea. Refusal to blow into the Breathalyzer at the station will cause the arrested person to automatically lose his or her driver's license for 1 year even if found not guilty of DWI. If found guilty of DWI and refusal, the person can possibly lose his or her license for at least 2 years – one year for refusal to blow the breathalyzer and one year for the DWI conviction. The judge has no choice in these revocations. The revocation is mandated by the NC Division of Motor Vehicles not by the court or Judge. 

• If the driver refuses to submit to chemical analysis (blow into the Breathalyzer or submit to blood test), the offender cannot apply for a “limited driving privilege" until he or she has received a DWI Assessment and completed the recommended treatment level. With the DWI Substance Abuse Assessment and treatment completed, the offender can apply for a Limited Driving Privilege after 6 months from the date of revocation. This only applies to those who refuse chemical analysis (Breathalyzer or blood test).

• If a first offender registers a .16 or higher B.A.C. (blood alcohol concentration) on the Breathalyzer, he or she will be required to install an Ignition Interlock Device ( Monitech Ignition Interlock Systems) Monitech Ignition Interlock Systems) Monitech Ignition Interlock Systems) on their car for 12 months. A person who has been convicted of more than one DWI will also be required to install the Interlock Device. 

• The trial date is scheduled during the arrest when the person meets with the magistrate. The trial is usually scheduled for 3 to 6 weeks after the arrest date. The person may or may not be put in jail depending on the seriousness of the DWI and depending on the decision of the police and magistrate. Often all the offender has to do is have someone pick them up and drive them home. 

• It is an advantage for the arrested person to get a DWI Assessment and begin the level of treatment required before going to court. This is called a “mitigating factor” and lessens the severity of the punishment level. 

• If this is an offender's first DWI arrest (lifetime), if he/she blows .14 or less on the Breathalyzer, and there was no accident with personal injury or more than $500 property damage the offender might qualify for ADETS (Alcohol and Drug Education Traffic School). This is the shortest (10 hours) and cheapest ($75) level that can be required by the DWI Assessment. All offenders who are convicted will be required to attend DWI Classes or Groups. Neither the judge nor anyone else can excuse the convicted offender from this requirement. 

• If an offender has more than one offense, he/she will be required to attend the 20-hour, 40-hour, or 90-hour group , depending on the outcome of the assessment. Criteria for outcomes of the assessment are set by state law, not the person giving the assessment. An assessment and separate 508 Form is required for each DWI conviction, even if the arrests were on the same day. Only one treatment episode might be required to suffice for more than one assessment.

• If your Breathalyzer reading is .16 or more (in addition to having to install the Interlock device) you will possibly receive probation as part of you sentencing even on first offense . If it is a second or third offense you will most likely receive probation no matter what your Breathalyzer reading is.  The probation may be supervised or unsupervised.  If it is unsupervised probation you will not have to check in with a probation officer. If it is supervised, you will have to check in with the probation officer (P.O.), let the P.O. know your whereabouts, pay a monthly fee, and possibly submit to regular urine drug and alcohol screens. 

• All persons convicted of DWI in NC are required to have a DWI assessment before their license can be restored. The person also has to complete the level of group or class required by the assessment. Generally that means going to the 20-hour, 40-hour, 90-hour, or an inpatient treatment program.  First Step Substance Abuse & DWI Services is licensed for the 20, 40, and 90-hour programs.

• The fee for the DWI assessment is $50. This fee is regulated by the state. The fees for the treatment programs vary and a provider will charge whatever he or she feels is necessary and reasonable. First Step Substance Abuse & DWI Services' fees are reasonable and competitive. Contact us for prices.

• At court, a client might be issued a “Limited Driving Privilege” by the judge. This is not guaranteed but is usually allowed for first offenses. The judge will usually state that the offender cannot have a “Limited Driving Privilege” until he/she has had a DWI assessment. The court can sometimes require that the offender complete the treatment program before issuing a “Limited Driving Privilege (LDP).” The privilege is good for 365 days only and cannot be extended for any reason. If your 365 days of revocation is up and you can't get to the DMV to get your license restored, any driving you do will be considered Driving While License Revoked. This can result in an additional year of revocation without the benefit of a Limited Driving Privilege and a $500 fine. Do not drive when your LDP is expired and you do not have your Driver's License in hand!

• Get your Assessment and Groups started as soon as possible. Sometimes the process takes a few months to complete. This will delay restoration of your driver's license if you wait too late!

• Your Limited Driving Privilege will not be extended if your requirements are not met before your revocation period is up. Once the period of revocation passes, you will not be given any type of driving privilege until all requirements are met, the 508 Form is processed and entered into the computer by NC DMV and your full license is restored. You must make payment of a $50 restoration fee and an additional $15 for a new license. Your license is not restored just because your revocation period has ended! You will be Driving While Licensed Revoked until you are actually issued a new Driver's License by the NC DMV. People do not realize how long this process takes and that the Limited Driving Privilege can not be extended. They often end up having no driving privileges -- sometimes for months -- while they finish their requirements. 

• First Step Substance Abuse & DWI Services is here to help you resolve your DWI problem. We will complete your DWI Assessment and get you started as quickly as possible, sometimes even the day you call. We know what you are going through. 

• We will make sure you have everything you need concerning your assessment the day you come in if you bring your ticket or Breathalyzer verification, a certified copy of your driving record from every state you have lived in, and your fee in cash or money order. We will accept checks but we can not give you a letter or recommendation until your check clears. 

• If you have all the above items, we will type a letter directly to your attorney, probation officer or others while you are at the office. There is no waiting period. You will not have to come back to pick up anything.