For many people in rural areas of North Carolina and even some urban areas, public transportation is not widely available enough that you’ll have a reliable way to commute. If you’re in that category of people and have had your driver’s license suspended because of an impaired driving-related conviction or certain traffic ticket convictions, you’re probably wondering how on earth you’re supposed to keep your job until you can reinstate your license. The good news is that you may qualify for a … [Read more...]
Driving While Impaired Charges in North Carolina
A charge of Driving While Impaired (sometimes referred to as a “DUI,” but called a “DWI” in North Carolina) is a serious offense. The North Carolina legislature expressed this in writing the laws that govern this charge—for example, a DWI conviction explicitly cannot be expunged. It will be on your record for the rest of your life. It is absolutely necessary to consult with and hire experienced DWI counsel if you or a loved one is facing this charge. You may be familiar in general with your … [Read more...]
Alcohol education and treatment programs following a DWI
In general, a North Carolina resident who is convicted of a DWI is required to get a substance use assessment and successfully complete a substance abuse education program or a treatment program. However, there are different types and levels of education programs and treatment programs available, though the program a defendant may be required to complete depends on a variety of factors. The factors that can determine what type of program will be required includes whether or not the defendant … [Read more...]
Drunk driving and binge drinking among veterans spikes
Veterans in North Carolina and other states are increasingly participating in risky behaviors, including some that may put other drivers at risk. This is the big takeaway from a new study by an addiction treatment center. Using risk factor info from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), researchers observed a noticeable spike in occurrences of drunk driving incidents and binge drinking among the military population. The study authors noted that increased emotional and physical … [Read more...]
Safety officials urge adoption of drugged driving standards
People in North Carolina may see escalated attempts to arrest and prosecute people for driving under the influence of drugs, especially as an increasing number of people advocate for legalized cannabis. The decriminalization movement that has spread across the country sparked warnings from the National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB. There are no clear standards indicating what level of drug exposure could indicate impaired driving. In addition, there are no standardized devices that … [Read more...]
Man accused of driving SUV into North Carolina restaurant
A 22-year-old North Carolina man is facing serious felony charges after he allegedly drove his SUV into a packed Mooresville restaurant that had denied him service on the night of April 12. Workers at the popular sports bar and grill on Plaza Drive said that the man had been refused entry because he was obviously intoxicated. He has since been charged with using his vehicle as a deadly weapon with the intent to kill or cause serious injury and drunk driving. Reports indicate that he is being … [Read more...]
Study says ignition interlock devices save lives
Charlotte-area drivers who are convicted of drunk driving only have a mandatory requirement to put an ignition interlock device on their vehicle if they have a blood alcohol content at or above 0.15. However, according to a study that appeared in the "American Journal of Preventive Medicine", in states that have mandatory ignition interlock device laws for people with drunk driving convictions at lower blood alcohol levels, lives are saved. The study found that in states that have a mandatory … [Read more...]
What you need to know about DWI in North Carolina
North Carolina changed its drunk driving laws in 1983, passing the Safe Roads Act that unified all of our drunk driving laws and set new standards. One of the changes with this new law is that drunk driving charges are referred to as driving while intoxicated (DWI). There are four different blood alcohol concentration limits in place, depending on the individual accused of drunk driving. For all people in the state of North Carolina, the BAC limit is 0.08. However, there are also specific … [Read more...]
Vehicle seizure following DWI on revoked driver’s license
Law enforcement officers in North Carolina seize the vehicles of drivers who are charged with DWI when they are driving with a revoked driver's license for prior impaired driving charges. Those who find themselves in this position may wonder what is happening to their vehicles and how they will be able to get them back. First, the vehicles are towed to storage facilities, and the accused must ask the law enforcement agencies responsible for their detainment about where those facilities are. A … [Read more...]
North Carolina man refuses breath test at drunk driving arrest
A 52-year-old man from Charlotte, North Carolina, refused a breath test as well as a blood or urine test when he was arrested for allegedly driving drunk on St. Patrick's Day. Rock Hill police confronted him after he crashed his girlfriend's 2005 Volvo into a metal post protecting a gas pump at a Rock Hill gas station. The police report stated that his car was heavily damaged in the front and the airbags had opened. Fluids were also leaking from the car. Under the driver's seat, police claimed … [Read more...]
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