The Levels of DWI Convictions in Carteret County and Their Penalties
North Carolina has a “zero-tolerance” policy when it comes to driving while impaired. This means that any driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher can be charged with DWI. However, for commercial drivers, the legal BAC limit is 0.04%, and for drivers under the age of 21, North Carolina enforces a strict 0.00% BAC limit.
Also, DWI charges aren’t limited to alcohol. If you are found to be impaired by drugs, whether they’re prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal drugs, you can also be charged with DWI.
If you ever find yourself in trouble with the law over issues like this, Carteret County criminal defense lawyers for DWI offenses are your best shot at wriggling out of the legal consequences.
The Different Levels of DWI Charges in Carteret County
North Carolina law breaks DWI penalties into five levels, each carrying its own set of consequences. In Carteret County, these penalties are applied based on various factors.
These are the 5 levels:
Level V DWI
Here’s what you can expect with a Level V DWI charge:
- The court may sentence you to a minimum of 24 hours in jail, but the sentence can be up to 60 days.
- You could also be required to pay a fine of up to $200.
- Instead of serving jail time, the court might allow you to complete community service as an alternative.
- Often, the court will suspend your sentence, meaning that as long as you meet the conditions of your probation, such as attending substance abuse classes or not getting into further legal trouble, you won’t have to serve jail time.
- In North Carolina, a DWI conviction will also lead to a suspension of your driver’s license. Even at the lowest level, you could face a one-year suspension.
Level IV DWI
A Level IV DWI carries slightly more severe penalties. If you’re convicted of a Level IV DWI, you could end up with the following penalties.
- Jail time between 48 hours and 120 days.
- Fines up to $500.
- As with Level V, the court might suspend your sentence and place you on probation, which will likely include completing a substance abuse assessment and treatment, community service, and possibly attending a DWI education course.
- You’re still looking at a one-year suspension of your driver’s license, and in some cases, the court may require you to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle.
Level III DWI
For a Level III DWI, the penalties increase further. They are listed below.
- The court will impose a jail sentence of at least 72 hours, with a maximum of up to six months (180 days).
- You could be required to pay a fine of up to $1,000.
- Probation is still an option at this level, but you’ll likely face stricter conditions, including more intensive treatment programs, longer periods of community service, and also the possibility of regular check-ins with a probation officer.
- Again, you’ll face a one-year suspension of your driver’s license, but depending on the specifics of your case, the court may impose additional restrictions, such as requiring an IID if your BAC was above 0.15%.
Level II DWI
A Level II DWI is one of the most serious DWI convictions in North Carolina. They’re one step below the most serious level. You could get one if you’ve already been caught driving drunk in the past seven years, if your blood alcohol level was way too high, or if you caused an accident that hurt someone.
If you’re convicted of a Level II DWI in Carteret County, you’re facing some serious penalties:
- The minimum jail sentence for a Level II DWI is seven days, but it can go all the way up to one year. Unlike the lower levels, there’s no option for a suspended sentence at this level, which means you’ll have to serve at least seven days in jail.
- The fines for a Level II DWI can be as high as $2,000.
- Your driver’s license will be suspended for one year, but if there are aggravating factors like a high BAC, you could be required to install an IID once your suspension ends.
- Mandatory alcohol or drug treatment programs are a near certainty at this level, and the court will closely monitor your compliance with the terms of your probation.
Level I DWI
Level I DWI is the worst kind of drunk driving offense in North Carolina. It’s for people who’ve done it before, driven with kids in the car, or caused a serious accident. The penalties are harsh:
- You’re looking at a minimum of 30 days in jail, and it could be as long as two years.
- Get ready to pay up to $4,000. It’s a hefty price to pay.
- Your driver’s license is gone for at least a year. You might even lose it forever, especially if this is your third or more DUI.
- You’ll need to go to rehab and probably join a program to help you stay sober.
- You might also have to do community service, like helping out at a local charity.
