What Do I Do If My Child Is Charged With A DWI?
August 28, 2019 – Published by Robinson Law FirmWith Greenville, North Carolina being home to East Carolina University students, it is no surprise that many parents contact our office because their child has been arrested and charged with Driving While Impaired (DWI). In North Carolina, DWI includes not just impairment from alcohol, but also from controlled substances, including cocaine, marijuana, opioids or prescription medication. The term DWI is broader than DUI (Driving Under The Influence) and includes alcohol and well as any other substances that might impair a driver’s normal physical or mental faculties. Previously North Carolina was known as a DUI state that included impairment only from alcohol. North Carolina changed its laws to DWI in 1983.
In North Carolina, DWI laws prohibit the operation of a vehicle while:
- Under the influence of an impairing substance
- Having a breath alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher
- Having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher
- Having any amount of a Schedule 1 controlled substance in the blood or urine
North Carolina is one of the toughest states in the country on DWI offenders. Often times, offenders under the age of 21 face tougher penalties! Sentencing is based on the balancing of grossly aggravating and aggravating factors vs. mitigating factors.
It is important to note that your child could face both –
- Administrative Penalties: license revocation, restrictive limited driving privileges, a 400% increase in insurance premiums, or school suspension or probation.
- Criminal Penalties: jail time, courts costs and fines, community service hours and fees, substance abuse assessment and extensive and costly treatment.
In many DWI cases the child is embarrassed, sometimes angry and very often afraid of what the future might hold. The first thing we tell parents here at the Robinson Law Firm is that they have come to the right place. Hiring the best lawyer to represent your child in both the DWI criminal case and administrative license suspension hearing will have a huge impact on the outcome of the proceeding.
We know that as a parent you want to do everything to protect your child. The best way to do that is to:
- Educate yourself on NC DWI laws and consequences. Our blogs are great resources:
- Get professional, legal help from a veteran and experienced DWI lawyer.
If your child has been charged with a DWI, contact the Robinson Law Firm in Greenville, NC today! The consequences of this charge can lead to college rejection, employment challenges and financial hardships for your child. Our goal is to keep your child’s record DWI-free!
Categories: Blog, DWI, Underage DWI
