Facing another DWI charge?

You’ve been convicted of driving while intoxicated before once or twice, so you know how serious an offense it is. You’d never thought it would happen again, but here you are, charged with another DWI. In North Carolina, being considered a repeat offender is a big deal. The consequences are more severe if you are ultimately convicted.  

Potential penalties 

With a first DWI offense, consequences associated with a conviction include jail time, fines and temporary loss of your driving privileges. The same penalties tend to apply after a second DWI offense; however, the length of jail time, the amount of the fines and the length of license suspension may all increase. With any subsequent DWI convictions, the consequences may include: 

• Temporary or permanent license revocation or suspension 
• Heftier fines 
• Ignition interlock device 
• More time behind bars 

As repeat offenders generally face felony rather than misdemeanor DWI charges, having a felony conviction on your record on top of all these penalties imposed will negatively impact your life. The long-term consequences can be significant. For example, you may not be able to work or obtain employment, meaning you won’t be able to support yourself and your family. You may find it a struggle to obtain housing. The list goes on. 

Defend yourself 

The best thing you can do when facing a repeat DWI charge in North Carolina is to defend yourself. Thankfully, that is not something you have to do alone. With the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney, you can question the evidence provided against you, weigh your legal options and do everything it takes to fight for the best outcome possible. To learn more about this topic, please take a moment and visit our firm’s website.