Pineville DWI Lawyer

Pineville DWI Attorney

Driving under the influence (DUI)—or driving while intoxicated (DWI) as it’s called in North Carolina—is a serious crime that can lead to a wide range of penalties. In fact, North Carolina has some of the harshest penalties for driving under the influence of an impairing substance. If you’ve been charged with DWI, it is crucial to contact a Pineville DWI lawyer to help you navigate the legal processes following your arrest.

What Is Considered DWI in North Carolina?

If you are caught driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you can be charged with DWI in North Carolina. In this state, you are not permitted to drive if:

• You are under the influence of an impairing substance
• You have a Schedule I controlled substance or its metabolite present in your blood or urine
• Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher
• Your BAC is 0.04% or higher when operating a commercial vehicle

Penalties for DWIs in Pineville, NC

Getting convicted of DWI in North Carolina can leave you facing jail time and substantial fines, as well as changes to your driving privileges. Depending on the particulars of your case, you may have to install an ignition interlock device system in your vehicle.

Typically, DWI in North Carolina results in an immediate 30-day driver’s license suspension. This process is known as civil relocation. Impaired drivers charged with DWI must complete a substance abuse assessment and complete any recommended treatment before they can have their license restored.

Penalties for a DWI escalate each time you receive one, leading to longer jail times, heftier fines, license suspension, and license revocation. In some cases, you can even have your vehicle confiscated.

By working with an experienced Pineville DWI lawyer, you optimize your chance of receiving lower fines and less severe sentencing, even if you are dealing with a repeat offense.

Misdemeanor DWI

DWI in North Carolina is usually classified as a misdemeanor, but it can be a felony charge if the situation is serious enough. There are five levels of misdemeanor DWI, Level V being the least serious and Level I being the most serious.

Level V. A Level V misdemeanor is the least serious punishment you can receive for a misdemeanor DWI. You may have to pay up to $200 and spend between 24 hours and 60 days in jail.

Level IV. This class of misdemeanor DWI can result in paying fines up to $500 as well as jail time between 48 hours and 120 days.

Level III. This level of misdemeanor DWI can have you paying up to $1,000 and time served in jail for anywhere from 72 hours to six months.

Level II. If you receive a Level II misdemeanor DWI, you may have to pay a fine of up to $2,000 and spend between seven days to one year in jail.

Level I. This type of misdemeanor can result in a fine of up to $4,000. Additionally, you will have to spend between 30 days and two years in jail.

It is important to note that it is possible for a judge to suspend your sentencing for Level III, IV, and V misdemeanors. This can be accomplished by serving your minimum jail sentence, completing community service hours, or not operating a vehicle for a certain amount of time. The severity of your DWI case will determine the amount of time you cannot drive or the community service hours you need.

Level I and Level II DWI charges are reserved for repeat DWI offenders, people with revoked licenses, impaired drivers who have young children in the vehicle, and impaired drivers who were in a crash and injured someone else. These sentences cannot be suspended by a judge regardless of jail time spent, community service hours, or time spent not driving.

Felony DWI

A DWI becomes a felony for drivers who have had four prior DWI convictions within 10 years. Repeat offenders who are charged with a felony DWI must spend a minimum of one year in jail and must also go through a substance abuse program while in jail or as a condition to parole.

DWI Charges as a Minor in Pineville, NC

DWI is illegal at any age, but you can expect additional consequences in the form of underage drinking violations if you’re under 21 years old. North Carolina is a zero-tolerance state, which means anyone underage can be charged with DWI as long as their BAC is above 0%.

Why Is Working With a DUI Attorney Beneficial?

Given the severity and complexity of North Carolina’s DWI laws, it is wise to work with an experienced DUI attorney who understands how to navigate the nuances. The Law Office of Kevin L. Barnett has decades of experience handling DWI cases in North Carolina.

We can examine the specifics of your case to ensure field sobriety tests were legally justified and properly conducted, as well as analyze blood and breath test results to see if they can be deemed inadmissible due to lack of sufficient legal grounds.

A per se DWI is recognized in the state when your BAC is 0.08% or greater (or 0.04% for commercial vehicles), which means law enforcement can prosecute you on a DWI charge with that evidence without having to provide further proof that you were impaired.

Work With an Accomplished Pineville DWI Lawyer From Our Team

The Law Office of Kevin L. Barnett is dedicated to providing sound legal advice and guidance to clients facing DWI charges in Pineville. You can count on our team to provide personalized care tailored to your needs while helping you navigate your case. We have been helping clients for decades and understand all that is at stake when you are charged with DWI.

Our team represents clients in Pineville experiencing a variety of unique situations regarding DWI, including:

• Inaccurate blood and breath test results
• Problems with field sobriety test results
• Repeat DWI offenses
• Underage DWI charges

Reach Out to a DWI Law Firm You Can Trust – The Law Office of Kevin L. Barnett

With our legal team on our side, you can rest assured you are getting comprehensive care from experienced professionals. Contact our office for a consultation today.