dwi BAC .20

[blueridge]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NC
Friend got DWI and bac level was .20 last night. Had to surrender their licenses (on paper it says for 30 days). He will get a lawyer. What can they expect> this is his first DWI but the bac was .20 He had a DD all night and late at night he drove and only had to go 1/2 mile and was pulled over. Stupid mistake but cant take it back. Will they loose their licenses for year, forever. Do they need to start taking DWI classes now. What generally happens when somones BAC level is .20 What can he now do about this charge. He was also charged with driving left of center.

[FlyingRon]

He'll lose his license for 6 months to a year.
DUI school will let him get a restricted license back pending trial and may speed up getting a one subsequent to conviction (they're going to make him take the class anyhow).
The high BAC will increase the penalties.
There's a potential jail time here.
Advise him to find a good DUI lawyer in the county in which he is charged.

[blueridge]

I understand bac of.20 requires interlock too. My question do you think he can get his license back before court. I read that if someone did a dwi assessment they could possibly get license back before the 30 days. Once convicted and interlock is required how long do they have to have this? If he looses his license can he get provisional license Mon-Friday during daytime to go to work? How much is the interlock cost?

[FlyingRon]

If they take the course they can get a RESTRICTED license pending court.

The interlock will most likely be for one year.

[blueridge]

A while back someone with a DWI could get it reduced to careless and wreckless or lesser charge. My question is if there is no longer a possibility to get a lesser charge and you have a DWI with a BAC of .20 and you will loose your license (so these post imply and from what others say) and you will have to get interlock what is a lawyer doing for someone. Its like if you a DWI you will be convicted and loose license for year no matter what. You can take DWI classes on your own and take that info to court. Generally you pay the high fees to the lawyer to help you reduce what you were charged with but if there is no way to reduce this charge what will and can a lawyer do? Sounds like for DWI a lawyer would be no help because if what you all say you will be convicted and once convicted loose license for a year.

[BigMistakeFl]

The prosecutor (DA) is not likely to offer you anything directly. Once you have a lawyer and he says that you are not guilty and are fighting the charge, the DA is likely to make an offer to your lawyer. This may very well not be a lesser charge, but can be somewhat "souped" down penalties.

[irish77]

Originally Posted by BigMistakeFl

The prosecutor (DA) is not likely to offer you anything directly. Once you have a lawyer and he says that you are not guilty and are fighting the charge, the DA is likely to make an offer to your lawyer. This may very well not be a lesser charge, but can be somewhat "souped" down penalties.

A .20 and there is a chance this will get drummed down? I don't see it happening, but maybe not the full extent of the punishment will be levied.

[blueridge]

Confused about soup down charges. And what are you saying about maybe not the full extent of the punishment will be levied?

So far All I am reading if they get a lawyer: MAYBE souped down penalities or not to the full extent. What does this mean in laymans terms. Give me some examples of souped down penalities.

[BigMistakeFl]

No, you're not going to get off or get a reduced charge. But the DA can sometimes meet on more favorable grounds with your lawyer. If you go by yourself, the judge can hit you with penalties ranging from minimum to maximum. That's why I would not go into court without an attorney.

[blueridge]

We keep hearing people who have gotten a DWI in our small town that lawyers fees vary a lot. He is thinking about 3 different lawyers and doesnt know which way to go. To get the cheaper lawyer but a couple recommended him ,or the one that is the most popular but costs a lot more, or the other one in the county next to us (about 10 miles) that is supposed to be good too. They all three deal with DWI's. He was wondering should he save the money and get the cheaper lawyer or would the more expensive one be able to get something the other can not. This really sucks. I tell everyone not to drink and drive even for 1/4 mile because life is hell with a dwi. What do you look for in a lawyer to know you are getting the best one for you? He needs to decide what he is going to do this is just so serious he is trying to make the right decision. I told him I dont know if a good lawyer the more expensive could get him more than the others.

[BigMistakeFl]

No one here can tell you which lawyer to pick. One thing you can do is contact your state's Bar Association and ask questions, check each lawyer's rating, etc. NC Bar association can be found here: -------> [url]http://www.ncbar.org/[/url]

[irish77]

pick the one who can get you off.

[irish77]

Originally Posted by BigMistakeFl

No, you're not going to get off or get a reduced charge. But the DA can sometimes meet on more favorable grounds with your lawyer. If you go by yourself, the judge can hit you with penalties ranging from minimum to maximum. That's why I would not go into court without an attorney.

you make a great point and I was just assuming that everyone in their mother walked in with a lawyer and I know that's not the case. not on the boards as much as I was when this all went down, so I was thread-hopping. Sorry.