By Lakota R. Denton


Most people don't know that receiving a DWI charge in Gastonia, NC can have many lasting effects. Not only can you receive criminal punishments, but it can also include costly fees and and a revocation of your driving privileges.

For many, the most challenging aspect of a DWI is losing your driving privileges. Initially, you are faced with an automatic thirty-day Civil Revocation period. It is possible after ten days to receive a limited driving privilege that would allow you to drive for certain purposes, such as school and work, but after the thirty day period, your license is in effect until the DWI has been legally resolved by the court. Phase two of the license revocation begins if and when you are convicted of the DWI. An individual who is found guilty of a DWI will lose their license for 1 year, starting immediately after the conviction. At that time, it is again possible to obtain another limited driving privilege (to allow you to commute to work, school etc.) for the duration of that one year period.

After either pleading guilty or being convicted of a DWI, an individual is going to be faced with a variety of costs. First, the judge will issue a fine for being found guilty of a DWI. This fine could range anywhere from $200 for a first-time offense to up to $10,000 for a felony DWI (typically a DWI that involves a death or a repeat DWI offender). Additionally, on top of the fine, the individual will also have to pay court costs. Since each court has their own individual procedure for determining court costs, this fee is hard to predict. However, it is generally several hundred dollars. Additionally, there may be miscellaneous costs associated with a DWI such as: fees for alcohol assessments and treatment, limited driving privilege fees, and license reinstatement fees.

One harsh truth about a DWI charge is that if convicted, your insurance company has the legal right to raise your insurance premium up to 400%. They do this not only to protect their financial interests (as people with a DWI conviction are categorized as higher risk), but also because a DWI conviction puts 12 points on your driving record. For reference, a speeding ticket puts one insurance point on your record, which often results in a substantial increase in an insurance premium. Given this, its easy to see how getting 12 points at one time on your driving record can drive your insurance payment through the roof. If no other points are levied to your license during this time, the points received by your DWI charge will remain on your license for a period of three years.

If you or someone you know have been charged with a DWI, it is important to consult with an experienced DWI criminal defense attorney that can help zealously defend your case. Contact Us at Minick Law, P.C. for a free consultation on your case.






About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment

    Blogger news

    Blogroll

    Pages

    About