Concord DWI Charges
Because a DWI accident in Concord can involve serious penalties, expert legal guidance is usually vital to protect your rights. For more than a decade, the Law Office of John R. Nance, P.A. has provided strong advocacy and successfully dealt with NC traffic violations, speeding tickets, and Concord DWI in local county courts.
Concord DWI offenses
While most DWI convictions are misdemeanors, three or more prior DWI convictions within ten years of the current charge may lead to a felony conviction for Habitual Impaired Driving.
In addition to offense categories defined by repeat offenses that affect sentencing and severity of penalties, complex statutory guidelines include factors a judge may also consider. Factors may be mitigating, aggravating, and grossly aggravating factors:
- Mitigating factors include a safe driving record, driving safely when arrested, and a blood alcohol content (BAC) that does not exceed .09.
- Aggravating factors include reckless driving, driving with a revoked license, BAC over .15, and speeding more than 30 mph over the posted limit.
- Grossly aggravating factors include serious injury caused to another person through a DWI accident, driving impaired with a minor age 16 or under in the car, and previous DWI convictions within the past seven years, and driving while license revoked if the recovation was an impaired driving revocation.
Sentencing guideline levels
North Carolina has five levels of sentencing that apply to each offense—first, second, third, or fourth. The most lenient sentencing level is level five, and the most severe is level one. Sentencing guidelines for DWI offenses are:
- Level five. 24 hours−60 days; $200 maximum fine
- Level four. 48 hours−120 days; $500 maximum fine
- Level three. 72 hours−6 months; $1,000 maximum fine
- Level two. 7 days−1 year; $2,000 maximum fine
- Level one. 30 days−2 years; $4,000 maximum fine
Generally, a judge assigns a first DWI offense a level four sentencing value and increases or decreases the level depending on mitigating, aggravating, or grossly aggravating factors.
Get legal help
Because many variables affect the outcome of a DWI case, seasoned Concord traffic violation attorneys can greatly affect whether you are convicted or not, and if convicted, how you are sentenced. An effective defense can mean the difference between freedom and jail.
If you are considering DWI law firms in Concord, the Law Office of John R. Nance, P.A. has extensive skills and experience in defending DWI cases. Arrange a consultation today. Call (888) 339-7738 today or contact us online.