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If you get pulled over for DWI in Raleigh, North Carolina, you could face some stiff penalties. You could be stopped for more than just suspicion of alcohol — other things that can impair you include illegal drugs and prescription drugs. Once allowed to do so, contacting criminal lawyers Raleigh, NC should be a high priority. But there are some things to know about the entire process so that it won’t be a shock if it happens to you, especially if this is your first negative interaction with the police in your life.
When You’re Initially Pulled Over
The main thing you want to avoid here is conversing with the police officer. Don’t say anything even remotely incriminating, including whether you’ve been drinking or not.
If they do wind up arresting you, make sure that they read you your rights. Then you could be brought to the police station.
When You’re Brought to the Police Station
If the police find enough evidence that you have been driving while intoxicated, they will handcuff you and take you to the police station. You may be put in a cell until they determine that you’re not impaired anymore. The people at the station will take your possessions and put them in holding — you will be given a list of them so that you can claim them later.
Finally, you can contact a family member or an attorney. If they don’t answer, you usually get more than one chance to do that. Once that happens, you’ll be put in a holding cell until your bail is paid or if you’re released on your own recognizance. The North Carolina DMV will suspend your license for 30 days due to your DWI arrest, though you can apply for Limited Driving Privileges.
Finding An Attorney
You need to have someone working with you in a legal capacity as soon as possible. There are several ways that you can find a Raleigh DWI attorney. A family member might know someone. You might have seen an advertisement for one. Then there’s the internet. You can find ones in your area with a simple online search. The best part about that is that you can read reviews of what other clients have said about a particular lawyer.
Once you’ve found one, you want to make sure that they are responsive. The attorney should always return your calls or emails within a reasonable amount of time. They should listen to the particulars before taking your case. Once they do that, and you retain them, they will look through the police report and any witness reports to see if there were any irregularities. Was the sobriety test properly administered?
The Court Process
If it’s a fairly open-and-shut case, they will work to get you the best possible outcome. You might only have to pay a fine and not any jail time. An experienced lawyer will know what to do. The legal system can be very complex. You need to have someone who is very familiar with North Carolina DWI law. That way, you’ll have the best chance and have every corner covered. You’ll be confident when you’re in the courtroom.
DWI is very serious and there can be a lot of different penalties, depending on if it’s a first-time offense and whether anyone was hurt or worse. By getting legal representation, you will be covered.
