Learn five mistakes to avoid during your North Carolina drunk driving case from the Raleigh DWI defense lawyers at Cheshire, Parker, Schneider & Bryan, PLLC.
Facing a DWI charge in North Carolina is a serious matter. In addition to suspension of your driver’s license, you could be facing steep fines and jail time, and a DWI conviction can remain on your criminal record indefinitely (in North Carolina, DWIs are not eligible for expunction).
The good news is that there are numerous potential defenses to DWI charges, and an experienced defense attorney will be able to help minimize the consequences of your arrest as much as possible. There are also steps you can take to help yourself, as well as critical mistakes you will want to avoid.
5 Mistakes to Avoid While Awaiting Trial for a DWI
If you have been charged with driving while impaired (DWI) in North Carolina, here are five mistakes that can negatively impact the outcome of your case:
1. Ignoring Your DWI.
Unfortunately, your DWI charge is not simply going to go away. State prosecutors are going to take your case to court; and, if you do nothing, it is not going to end well. Your arraignment will happen quickly (likely within a few days of your arrest), and you need to be prepared to appear with your attorney.
2. Ignoring Opportunities to Reduce Your Sentence.
Under North Carolina law, there are five levels of sentencing for DWI offenses, and you have opportunities to reduce your potential sentence while you are awaiting trial. “Mitigating factors” that can reduce your sentence include voluntarily submitting to an alcohol assessment and fully complying with any treatment recommendations.
3. Discussing Your Case with Anyone But Your Attorney.
Do not speak with the police or prosecutors. Do not talk about your case with friends and family. Do not post about your arrest on social media. At this point, you should not be discussing your DWI with anyone except your defense attorney.
4. Assuming You are Guilty.
Even if you had a drink (or two) before you got pulled over, you should not assume that you are guilty of DWI. The prosecution must prove your guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and there are ways to challenge a DWI charge even if you think that you may have been intoxicated at the time of your arrest.
5. Assuming You Will Receive the Same Sentence as a Friend of Family Member.
Due to North Carolina’s sentencing structure for DWI offenses, you should not assume that you will receive the same sentence as a friend or family member. Even assuming that you will be convicted (which, again, is not an assumption that you want to make), the unique factors involved in your case will dictate the sentencing options that are on the table.
Discuss Your Case with a Raleigh DWI Defense Lawyer
If you are facing a DWI charge in North Carolina, we encourage you to contact us promptly for a confidential consultation. To speak with one of our experienced Raleigh DWI defense lawyers about your case, please call (919) 833-3114 or inquire online now.
yes
no
Thank you for your rating! Other users will thank you for it!