Driving while impaired charges can have a serious impact on a person’s life and career. In North Carolina, a person may be charged with and convicted of Driving While Impaired based upon suspicion of alcohol or drug impairment or some combination of both. Controlled substances, regardless of their legality, can contribute to impairment, and DWI convictions for drug-related impairment carry the same consequences as DWI convictions based on alcohol. Consequences of a conviction can include fines, license suspension, and potential jail time. If you or someone you know has been charged with impaired driving in North Carolina, consider consulting with an experienced DWI attorney who can assist with your case.
An Elizabeth City drug DWI lawyer knows how to best deal with your particular situation, scrutinizing local laws and regulations to determine the best defense. Among the ways our lawyers can challenge the government’s case is by questioning police process and the validity of evidence, such as breathalyzer results.
Impairment from Controlled Substances
In North Carolina, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle on the streets or highways of the State while subject to an impairing substance. Impairing substances can include illicit drugs like Heroin, Cocaine, or Marijuana, or otherwise legal substances like prescription or over-the-counter medication. Any controlled substance can be an impairing substance if it appreciably impairs a person’s physical or mental faculties.
Pursuant to North Carolina’s implied consent law, anyone who drives upon the streets or highways of the State implicitly consents to chemical testing for the presence of impairing substances. When law enforcement suspects that a driver is impaired, a breath or blood test may be requested in addition to standardized field sobriety tests. An Elizabeth City attorney can help explain these procedures, analyze the facts of your specific drug DWI case, and help you formulate a plan of action.
Consequences of an Impaired Driving Conviction
DWI sentencing in North Carolina is unique and fact-specific. DWI convictions produce outcomes that can include license suspensions, court fines and costs, community service hours, substance abuse treatment, and jail time. An experienced Elizabeth City attorney can review the facts of your case, explain the nuances of drug DWI law, advise you regarding the collateral consequences of a DWI conviction, and help you determine your best course of action.
Call an Elizabeth City Drug DWI Attorney Today
Call Parks Zeigler today for a free and confidential consultation. Our Elizabeth City drug DWI lawyers are here to help.
