The cost of a DUI/DWI charge

Being arrested for DUI/DWI

Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

A recent study found that one of the worst places to be arrested for DUI/DWI is in the state of North Carolina. The study found that the state handles thousands of arrests every year for drunk driving. The part in all of this that is most important is the fact that drivers in Charlotte and other parts of the state who were convicted of a DUI or DWI, saw their insurance rates jump dramatically. In some cases, drivers discovered that their premiums increased by more than 50 percent.

The high cost of DUI/DWI

• One of the more severe punishments for someone who is arrested and convicted of a drunk driving charge, goes beyond the prospect of potential jail time.
• We are talking about the financial repercussions when you are charged and convicted.
• What often cripples a drunk driving suspect is the court costs, fines, and fees to reinstate your license.
• There are also numerous other costs associated with such a charge, even before your insurance company becomes aware of the drunk driving charge.

Charlotte’s top Family Law Attorneys

When it comes to family law, the legal process can seem intimidating and overwhelming. The outcome of your case will have a significant effect on the rest of your life. You need a lawyer who takes this seriously, and who will work diligently for favorable results. You need a Charlotte law firm that has the skills, resources, and knowledge to handle complex legal matters; ranging from criminal defense to family law. Charlotte Family Law Attorneys at Plumides, Romano, Johnson & Cacheris, PC, has a history of serving the community for more than 50 years, and has a reputation for hard work and success. They also handle personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. Call them today to speak to a lawyer that has decades of experience, and who understands how the DUI laws apply to your specific situation.

Arrested on a DUI/DWI charge

Arrested on a DWI

Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Being arrested on a DUI/DWI charge is no simple matter. The price that you will pay is awfully steep for what may have been a lapse in judgment. North Carolina drunk driving laws are some of the toughest in the nation, and the sentence you may be facing is serious and permanent. Whatever the circumstances, it is truly understandable why no one ever wants to be arrested for a DUI/DWI. We understand that people make mistakes, and in such cases, Charlotte’s top family law attorneys are here to help you when you are facing serious charges such as these. Experienced DUI/DWI attorneys are a wise investment because they are familiar with the ins and outs of the North Carolina court system, and they are available to share their expertise with you.

DUI/DWI laws in North Carolina

• There are two definitive ways that a prosecutor can prove you were driving while intoxicated in the state of North Carolina.
• First, the prosecutor can attempt to show the court that you were impaired through police testimony of your driving pattern, and your field sobriety test.
• Also, the state can use your blood alcohol content to get a conviction.
• If your blood alcohol content is greater than .08%, you can be found guilty of DWI.

Charlotte’s top Family Law Attorneys

When it comes to family law, the legal process can seem intimidating and overwhelming. The outcome of your case will have a significant effect on the rest of your life. You need a lawyer who takes this seriously, and who will work diligently for favorable results. You need a Charlotte law firm that has the skills, resources, and knowledge to handle complex legal matters; ranging from criminal defense to family law. Charlotte Family Law Attorneys at Plumides, Romano, Johnson & Cacheris, PC, has a history of serving the community for more than 50 years, and has a reputation for hard work and success. They also handle personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. Call them today to speak to a lawyer that has decades of experience, and who understands how the DUI laws apply to your specific situation.

DUI/DWI Punishment is costly

DUI/DWI punishments

Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net 

From the very outset, DUI/DWI offenses are an expensive proposition. North Carolina uses a sliding scale to determine DWI punishments. Offenders are graded between levels 1 through 5, with level 5 incurring the lowest punishments, and Level 1 demands the most punitive fines and incarceration. A first offense typically results in a license suspension of 30 days with the possibility of limited driving privileges. If you refused to submit to a breathalyzer of blood test, you can expect a mandatory license suspension for a first offense refusal. The suspension is for 1 year. Your license can only be reinstated upon completion of an alcohol/substance abuse assessment and awareness program. Depending upon your circumstances, there is also the possibility of an ignition interlock device installation upon reinstatement.

The cost of DUI/DWI

Level 5 - Punishable by a fine up to $200 and a minimum jail sentence of 24 hours.

Level 4 - Punishable by a fine up to $500 and a minimum jail sentence of 48 hours.

Level 3 - Punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and a minimum jail sentence of 72 hours

Level 2 - Punishable by a fine up to $2,000 and a minimum jail sentence of seven days.

Level I - Punishable by a fine up to $4,000 and a minimum jail sentence of 30 days

Getting legal help from Charlotte’s top Family Law Attorneys

When it comes to family law, the legal process can seem intimidating and overwhelming. The outcome of your case will have a significant effect on the rest of your life. You need a lawyer who takes this seriously, and who will work diligently for favorable results. You need a Charlotte law firm that has the skills, resources, and knowledge to handle complex legal matters; ranging from criminal defense to family law. Charlotte Family Law Attorneys at Plumides, Romano, Johnson & Cacheris, PC, has a history of serving the community for more than 50 years, and has a reputation for hard work and success. They also handle personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. Call them today to speak to a lawyer that has decades of experience, and who understands how the DUI laws apply to your specific situation.

When you are stopped for DUI/DWI

Law enforcement must have a reason to stop you

Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Defects in your car’s safety feature, such as a broken tail light gives a police officer an excuse to stop you for a DUI. You are already suspect, so you want to do your best to dispel that impression. Start by finding a safe place to pull over, on the right side of the road whenever possible. It is important to be prepared, so keep your registration and insurance card in a readily accessible location. It is not a good start when you have to fish through your glove box or cannot find these documents when you need them. If you are stopped at night, turn your dome light on and place both your hands on the steering wheel so the police officer can see them. Hands on the steering wheel does two things. First, it will make the officer more comfortable with regard to his or her safety. Secondly, it conveys a sense of personal control on your part.

You do not have to answer questions that incriminate you

• Be courteous, but not overly talkative. Make no admissions about anything.
• You are under no obligation to provide any information beyond that on your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.
• If you make any admission, however inconsequential, it can be used against you.
• Volunteering a statement such as only having one drink provides the officer with cause to investigate the matter further.
• When you offer no admissions, the officer must base his or her decision to pursue a DUI arrest on your driving or mannerisms.
• If the law enforcement officer directly asks if you have been drinking, respond politely with a question such as, “why do you ask?”
• A broken tail light is not an indication that you are impaired, and you are under no obligation to have a discussion about your night’s events.
• The best thing that you can do in this situation is to politely explain that you would like to remain silent.
• Although you have not been arrested, you can still refrain from saying anything that could be self-incriminating.
• Do not be hostile or disrespectful, simply explain that you would like to exercise your rights.

Charlotte’s top Family Law Attorneys

When it comes to family law, the legal process can seem intimidating and overwhelming. The outcome of your case will have a significant effect on the rest of your life. You need a lawyer who takes this seriously, and who will work diligently for favorable results. You need a Charlotte law firm that has the skills, resources, and knowledge to handle complex legal matters; ranging from criminal defense to family law. Charlotte Family Law Attorneys at Plumides, Romano, Johnson & Cacheris, PC, has a history of serving the community for more than 50 years, and has a reputation for hard work and success. They also handle personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. Call them today to speak to a lawyer that has decades of experience, and who understands how the DUI/DWI laws apply to your specific situation.

Failing a Field Sobriety Test without being drunk

Understanding the Field Sobriety Test

Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Field sobriety tests are nearly synonymous with a DUI stop. Like the NFL rules regarding a legal catch, very few people know how to interpret a Field Sobriety Test, and even fewer drivers know that they are optional. Most drivers mistakenly believe that they are mandatory. Here’s the rub, many people take them and “fail,” even though they were not even under the influence. One would wonder how a person can fail the field sobriety test without being under the influence?

Law enforcement agencies all across the country use a number of field sobriety tests as a means to interpret a driver’s coordination, balance, and motor skills. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has standardized and approved three field sobriety tests. These test include are:

1. Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) Test
2. The Walk-and-Turn Test
3. The One-Leg Stand Test

This is good that there are some nationalized standards, but many law enforcement agencies also use non-approved field sobriety tests to gather the probable for a DUI arrest.

Tiredness

• Driving tired is dangerous, and we should hope that tired or sleepy drivers would pull over.
• However, driving while tired may be dangerous, but it is not illegal.
• Tired individuals can exhibit many of the same symptoms of intoxication.
• When the symptoms of tiredness mimic the symptoms of intoxication, officers often mistake this for DUI/DWI.

Charlotte’s top Family Law Attorneys

When it comes to family law, the legal process can seem intimidating and overwhelming. The outcome of your case will have a significant effect on the rest of your life. You need a lawyer who takes this seriously, and who will work diligently for favorable results. You need a Charlotte law firm that has the skills, resources, and knowledge to handle complex legal matters; ranging from criminal defense to family law. Charlotte Family Law Attorneys at Plumides, Romano, Johnson & Cacheris, PC, has a history of serving the community for more than 50 years, and has a reputation for hard work and success. They also handle personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. Call them today to speak to a lawyer that has decades of experience, and who understands how the DUI laws apply to your specific situation.