Being charged with driving while impaired (DWI) can cost you. In addition to potentially paying fines, going to prison and having an ignition interlock device in all your vehicles, you may also have limited housing, employment and education opportunities. Therefore, it’s crucial to fight it.
In North Carolina, you can get into this trouble if you are caught driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher and 0.04 when operating a commercial motor vehicle.
If you are facing a DWI charge, here are three things to avoid.
Driving with a suspended license
When you are charged with a DWI, your license may be suspended. If this happens, you should avoid driving because this can get you into more trouble. Consider asking your loved ones to help you move around or use public transportation/taxis.
If the police catch you driving on a suspended license, they may use this to show the judge you habitually violate traffic laws, which can weaken your defense.
Posting your case on social media
Of course, you may be upset with what the police are portraying about you and may want to correct this by telling your side of the story on social media. However, this may not be the best move. The police may state you are lying on social media about the events of that day. Essentially, anything you say can be used against you.
Pleading guilty
Another mistake to avoid is pleading guilty. Regardless of the evidence the police have against you, there are numerous defense strategies you can use to protect yourself. Thus, you should obtain more information about your options.
If you are charged with a DWI, it will be best to get legal help to understand your case in depth and determine potential defenses.