Most traffic violations require minimal evidence. A police officer's word is often sufficient reason for the courts to uphold a ticket issued for a driver's failure to use a turn signal or decision to exceed the speed limit. However, the standard of evidence necessary...
North Carolina Criminal Law Blog
When is it unlawful to have alcohol in a motor vehicle?
State laws typically have stringent provisions for driving while intoxicated (DWI) and other related offenses. The same goes for regulations in North Carolina, which may enforce hefty sanctions for minor to severe violations. These policies may also deter others from...
License suspensions and revocations: The administrative penalties of a DWI
When you face charges for driving while intoxicated (DWI) in North Carolina, a conviction can lead to two types of penalties. The first is criminal penalties, which include jail time and fines. The second type is administrative penalties, such as a requirement to...
Underage DWI in North Carolina: Zero tolerance and consequences
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a serious offense in North Carolina. However, the state takes an even stricter stance when the driver is under the legal drinking age of 21. North Carolina imposes severe penalties on young drivers who violate DWI laws in the hope...
Is it safe to sleep off a few drinks in a car in North Carolina?
The average adult struggles to accurately gauge their own chemical impairment. People frequently do not realize how drunk they are until someone else points out their symptoms. Even those who recognize that they have had too much to drink may find themselves in a very...
A potential gender disparity in drunk driving arrests
Getting behind the wheel of a car after having a few alcoholic drinks can be a risky proposition. The outcome could range from arrests to accidents. Drunk driving can result in a decline in visual functions and challenges, not to mention reduced coordination,...
What paying a traffic ticket means for insurance costs
Traffic tickets in North Carolina carry a range of prices depending on the severity of the alleged infraction. Some traffic tickets are relatively cheap on their own, which makes people think that the best way to handle a ticket is to simply pay it in full. They may...
Particularly serious: DWI offenses with minors present
In North Carolina, as is the case in many other states, being accused of driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a legitimately “big deal.” A conviction for impaired driving risks fines, jail time, probation, substance abuse treatment, suspension of one’s driver’s license...
4 factors that can determine BAC levels
Blood or breath alcohol concentration (BAC) is what a breathalyzer measures when the police stop you with reasonable suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or other drugs. In North Carolina, you are legally drunk when your BAC is 0.08 or higher, and...
3 choices that can increase someone’s chances of a DWI charge
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges can cost someone their license and damage their reputation. Judges can also sentence someone to jail time and compel them to pay large fines after a DWI conviction. Some people go to great lengths to avoid DWI charges, such as...