DWI Sentencing (How will I be punished?) – Durham DWI Lawyer

As of December 1, 2011, North Carolina is now using a six level structured sentencing approach for drunk driving or DWI convictions. I have taken the liberty of putting them on Pierce Law Blog – Durham DWI Lawyer, for your benefit. The six level of DWI sentencing is as follows:

Level 5 conviction could mean a fine up to $200, jail time from 24 hours to 60 days (in the judges discretion). If the sentence is suspended (Not active), the Judge must impose either 24 hours in jail or 24 hours of community service (or a combination of the two punishments). A level 5 conviction means that the Mitigating Factors substantially outweigh the Aggravating Factors and that there are no Grossly Aggravating Factors in the case at all.

Level 4 conviction means a fine up to $500, jail time from 48 hours to 120 days. If the sentence is suspended, the Judge must impose either 48 hours in jail or 48 hours of community service (or a combination of the two punishments). A level 5 conviction means that the Mitigating Factors must equal their Aggravating Factors and cannot have any Grossly Aggravating Factors in the case at all.

Level 3 conviction means a fine up to $1,000, jail time from 72 hours to 6 months. If the sentence is suspended, the Judge must impose either 72 hours in jail or 72 hours of community service (or a combination of two).
A level 3 conviction means that the Mitigating Factors must be outweighed by their Aggravating Factors and cannot have any Grossly Aggravating Factors.

Level 2 conviction means a fine up to $2,000, jail time from 7 days to 12 months. If the sentence is suspended, the judge must impose an active term of at least 7 days.
A level 2 conviction means that there is 1 Grossly Aggravating Factors.

Level 1 means a fine up to $4,000, jail time 30 days to 24 months. If the sentence is suspended, the judge must impose an active term of at least 30 days. A level 1 conviction means that there are 2 Grossly Aggravating Factors.

Aggravated Level 1 means a fine up to $10,000, jail time for 12 months to 36 months. Additionally, if the judge agrees to a suspended sentence, the Judge, by law, must impose an active term of at least 120 days and the Defendant will not be qualify for early release sooner than 4 months.

If you discover that you are in need of a DWI lawyer, stop! Take a moment to call several lawyers and find the right one for you. Attorney J. Wallace Pierce understands that you may be feeling overwhelmed and confused about the charges and losing your driving privilege. Call an attorney that will give you answers to your DWI questions and give your case the time and attention it deserves. Attorney Pierce, Durham DWI lawyer, can answer all of your questions regarding you Durham Drunk Driving charge.

Contact Attorney J. Wallace Pierce, a DWI lawyer in Durham, as soon as you are charged with drunk driving. He’ll stand by your side and not in your way!