Sunday 28 September 2014

What Can Happen After Receiving A DWI Charge In Gastonia, North Carolina

By Lakota R. Denton


After receiving a DWI charge, most people are unaware of the consequences of a DWI charge in North Carolina. Generally, DWI charges not only carry potential criminal punishments, but also hefty financial costs and revocation of driving privileges.

For many, the most challenging aspect of a DWI is losing your driving privileges. Initially, you are faced with an automatic thirty-day Civil Revocation period. It is possible after ten days to receive a limited driving privilege that would allow you to drive for certain purposes, such as school and work, but after the thirty day period, your license is in effect until the DWI has been legally resolved by the court. Phase two of the license revocation begins if and when you are convicted of the DWI. An individual who is found guilty of a DWI will lose their license for 1 year, starting immediately after the conviction. At that time, it is again possible to obtain another limited driving privilege (to allow you to commute to work, school etc.) for the duration of that one year period.

An individual is going to be faced with a variety of financial burdens after pleading guilty to, or convicted of a DWI. The judge will initially issue a fine for being found guilty, which can range from $200 to $10,000, depending on the severity of the incident (For example: If you are a first time offender, vs. a Felony DWI charge involving a death or repeat offense). Court costs will also be the responsibility of the individual charged. This number can vary due to each court determining their own fee amounts, but generally speaking, it can be several hundred dollars. There may also be additional costs, associated with things like obtaining limited driving privilege, alcohol assessment and treatment, and reinstatement of your drivers license.

One harsh truth about a DWI charge is that if convicted, your insurance company has the legal right to raise your insurance premium up to 400%. They do this not only to protect their financial interests (as people with a DWI conviction are categorized as higher risk), but also because a DWI conviction puts 12 points on your driving record. For reference, a speeding ticket puts one insurance point on your record, which often results in a substantial increase in an insurance premium. Given this, its easy to see how getting 12 points at one time on your driving record can drive your insurance payment through the roof. If no other points are levied to your license during this time, the points received by your DWI charge will remain on your license for a period of three years.

If you or someone you know have been charged with a DWI, it is important to consult with an experienced DWI criminal defense attorney that can help zealously defend your case. Contact Us at Minick Law, P.C. for a free consultation on your case.






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