Showing posts with label North Carolina DWI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label North Carolina DWI. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
North Carolina DWI Law | Finding the Right Lawyer
So, today in the world of this Raleigh DWI Attorney I witnessed something that had my interest. I watched as an attorney plead out a dwi charge for their client who had a prior DWI charge. Now, fortunately, for this North Carolina DUI Charge, the Defendant's Prior NC DUI Conviction was more then 7 years ago and therefore was not a Grossly Aggravating Factor, only an Aggravating Factor (side note: I find it silly that the legislation couldn't come up with different names for these two things so they aren't so close that they cause confusion to many clients as I try to explain the difference between them). However, this Defendant's license was revoked at the time of the current NC DWI and therefore had at least one Grossly Aggravating Factor. Now, aside from the fact that I thought the Defense Attorney could have argued better for sentencing, it wasn't what I found so interesting about this plea deal.
What was interesting about this case was the fact that the Defendant was reported to the Police by an anonymous tip AND that the Defendant had refused to provide a breath sample to the Police Officer when they caught up with her. Now, let me preface what I am about to say, I do not know all the facts about this case. There may have been a very good reason to plea this case out; the Police Officer may have gotten reasonable suspicion before he stopped her, they may have drew blood, they may have other evidence that I am not privy to, or the Defendant may have just wanted to plea the case out and get it over with (almost had a client facing similar sentencing do this exact thing). But, given that the Defendant was facing a minimum jail sentence (they were actually sentenced above the minimum to 120 days active jail sentence) I find it difficult to understand why a trial was not had? First, for anonymous tips, there's extra steps the State must go through in order to justify the stop based on it, and even then there are certain challenges that can be made to try and prevent the testimony of what the tip was, which could prevent the State from entering any evidence as a result of the tip and possibly beating the case.
Additionally, a case where the Defendant has refused to below is a very triable case. Understand, 'very triable' and 'very winnable' are two completely different things. But, at least with a refusal, the State has to either: 1. prove appreciable impairment, which is a subjective concept that a Raleigh Defense Attorney could cast doubt on or 2. it's a blood draw, in which case the Defense attorney could try and keep it out unless the State presents evidence of chain of custody as well as the presence of the person who drew the blood.
Again, I say, I do not know all of the facts of the case, so I am not trying to be too critical of this particular case. But I am extremely curious as to why this was plead out and not tried. In my talks with other attorneys (given, only a handful when considering the large volume of attorneys doing Raleigh DWI Defense and Durham DWI Defense) it seems that many attorneys are quick to plea and avoid trial because they don't feel that there's much chance of winning. And while that is true (they can be hard to beat) there is little to no consequence to the Defendant if they decide on a trial and it is their only chance of beating the NC Driving While Intoxicated charge.
I guess what I am trying to say is, when speaking with the Attorney you may potentially hire in this case, be sure you inquire as to whether they are prepared to try the case or are they just interested in a quick turn-around where they just plea out the case.
Disclaimer - Information and advice offered in this article is for informational and educational purposes only and is specific to North Carolina law. The viewing, receipt and/or exchange of information from this article does not constitute an Attorney-Client Relationship. For assistance regarding your particular legal question speak with an Attorney practicing in the field from which your questions derives.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Raleigh Criminal Court | Missing Your Court Date
Recently, I was in a North Carolina District Court where I was having a discussion with a Judge regarding those Defendant's who have missed their court dates. As one of the Raleigh DWI Attorneys and Raleigh Criminal Lawyers, I handle this type of matter more then I would like. You see, when a Defendant misses their court date, a North Carolina Criminal Defense">North Carolina Failure to Appear will be marked on the 'shuck' (the envelope which contains the Defendant's paperwork) which carries with a $200 fine. After a few weeks, for most matters (the exceptions being minor traffic matters) an 'Order for Arrest' will be issued at which point the police can arrest the Defendant and bring them before a Magistrate where a bond may be set, which would have to be paid before the Defendant could get out of jail. Additionally, the court will notify the DMV of the Failure to Appear, and after notice is sent out to the Defendant, their license will eventually be revoked. Unfortunately, for clients of mine who have been charged with North Carolina Driving While License Revoked, it was a result of a missed court date and they were unaware that their license had been revoked. If they are convicted of the Driving While License Revoked, their license will be suspended for one-year. So, something as minor as a seatbelt ticket can result in court costs and fines from that ticket, costs and fines from the new Driving While License Revoked ticket, $200 FTA fee, and potentially having your license suspended for a year.
As you can see, the judicial system takes very seriously a Defendant's court date. They take it seriously because it would be too detrimental to do otherwise. If they didn't take a hard line requiring the Defendant's attendance, then some individuals would abuse the system. That being said, I feel there could be more consideration taken to those who honestly couldn't make it to court. Though a Raleigh Traffic Ticket, Raleigh DWI Charge or Raleigh Criminal Charges are very serious, it is likely not the only thing in the Defendant's life for which requires their attendance. I believe the court tries to strike a balance by considering Motions for a new court date, but the court seems less receptive to most explanation short of a medical and/or family emergency.
"But, what if I can't make it that day?" Well, in many cases, the court doesn't really care. If there are legitimate emergencies which prevent a Defendant from coming to court, then the court may continue the matter, but only with the representation of an Attorney to stand in for the Defendant. Additionally, if a Defendant does miss a court date, they have the option of filing a motion for a new court date, at which point, the Judge may or may not grant that motion. If not granted, the Defendant is left with little option but to turn themselves in.
This can be a very serious matter and therefore a Defendant should do everything they can do appear in court and if not, speak with the Raleigh Criminal Defense Lawyers who represents them BEFORE THEIR COURT DATE!
Disclaimer - Information and advice offered in this article is for informational and educational purposes only and is specific to North Carolina law. The viewing, receipt and/or exchange of information from this article does not constitute an Attorney-Client Relationship. For assistance regarding your particular legal question speak with an Attorney practicing in the field from which your questions derives.
Monday, December 5, 2011
North Carolina DWI Law | What Factors are Considered for a DWI Sentence
Since this Raleigh DWI Attorney Blog deals with all facets of a North Carolina DWI Defense, in addition to the greater area of North Carolina Criminal Defense, it only makes sense that we review the factors which the court considers when setting a DWI Defendant's sentence.
In a previous post I reviewed North Carolina DWI Sentence Structure this article will be dedicated to explaining the three factors which the Judge considers for the purposes of setting a DWI Defendant's sentence within North Carolina DWI Sentencing Structure.
To start with, this blog will discuss Aggravating Factors and Mitigating Factors. These two factors are used when a Judge is considering setting a Defendant's sentence at a level 3, 4 or 5. That's not to say that these 'factors' can't be considered when setting a sentence at level 2, 1, or aggravated level 1, but these are set statutorily for the Judge to use for the purpose of setting sentences within level 3, 4, and 5. For these three levels, if a Defendant's aggravating factors greatly outweigh their mitigating factors, they are set at a level 3. If these two levels are even, the Defendant is set at a level 4. If the Defendant's mitigating factors greatly outweigh the aggravating factors, they are set at a level 5.
Aggravating Factors include: conviction of a prior DWI more than 7 years before the instant offense, two or more prior convictions for 3-point driving offenses within the preceding 5 years before the offense, gross impairment (.15 or above), especially reckless or dangerous driving, negligent driving leading to a reportable accident, passing a stopped school bus, conviction of speeding to elude apprehension, conviction of speeding at least 30 miles over the legal limit, or any other factor that aggravates the seriousness of the offense.
Mitigating factors include: voluntary submission to a Substance Abuse Assessment and participation in the recommended treatment, slight impairment (.09 or less), safe and lawful driving at the time of the offense, impairment which was caused by lawfully prescribed drugs within prescribed dosage, a statutorily safe driving record (no offense for which at least 4 points are assigned within 5 years of the date of the offense), or any other factor that mitigates the seriousness of the offense.
The other factor which is used by the court is referred to as Grossly Aggravating Factors. If any of these factors apply, then the Defendant is facing a DWI Sentence of Levels 2, 1 or Aggravated Level 1 (for stops from December 1, 2011 on). If the Defendant only has one Grossly Aggravating Factor, they will be sentenced at a level 2, if there are 2 Grossly aggravating Factors, the Defendant will be sentenced to a Level 1. If there are three or more Grossly Aggravating Factors and the Defendant was stopped prior to December 1, 2011, they will be sentenced to Level 1, but if the Driver was stopped December 1 or there after, they will be sentenced at the Aggravated Level 1.
Grossly Aggravating Factors include: a Driving While License Revoked charge at the time of the current charge and where the license was suspended for a prior DWI, serious injury to another caused by the Defendant's impaired driving, a prior DWI conviction within the preceding 7 years, and having a child under 16 years of age in the vehicle at the time of the offense (as of December 1, the age is moved to passengers under 18 years old).
For a review of each North Carolina DWI Sentence Level, click on North Carolina DWI Sentence Structure.
In a previous post I reviewed North Carolina DWI Sentence Structure this article will be dedicated to explaining the three factors which the Judge considers for the purposes of setting a DWI Defendant's sentence within North Carolina DWI Sentencing Structure.
To start with, this blog will discuss Aggravating Factors and Mitigating Factors. These two factors are used when a Judge is considering setting a Defendant's sentence at a level 3, 4 or 5. That's not to say that these 'factors' can't be considered when setting a sentence at level 2, 1, or aggravated level 1, but these are set statutorily for the Judge to use for the purpose of setting sentences within level 3, 4, and 5. For these three levels, if a Defendant's aggravating factors greatly outweigh their mitigating factors, they are set at a level 3. If these two levels are even, the Defendant is set at a level 4. If the Defendant's mitigating factors greatly outweigh the aggravating factors, they are set at a level 5.
Aggravating Factors include: conviction of a prior DWI more than 7 years before the instant offense, two or more prior convictions for 3-point driving offenses within the preceding 5 years before the offense, gross impairment (.15 or above), especially reckless or dangerous driving, negligent driving leading to a reportable accident, passing a stopped school bus, conviction of speeding to elude apprehension, conviction of speeding at least 30 miles over the legal limit, or any other factor that aggravates the seriousness of the offense.
Mitigating factors include: voluntary submission to a Substance Abuse Assessment and participation in the recommended treatment, slight impairment (.09 or less), safe and lawful driving at the time of the offense, impairment which was caused by lawfully prescribed drugs within prescribed dosage, a statutorily safe driving record (no offense for which at least 4 points are assigned within 5 years of the date of the offense), or any other factor that mitigates the seriousness of the offense.
The other factor which is used by the court is referred to as Grossly Aggravating Factors. If any of these factors apply, then the Defendant is facing a DWI Sentence of Levels 2, 1 or Aggravated Level 1 (for stops from December 1, 2011 on). If the Defendant only has one Grossly Aggravating Factor, they will be sentenced at a level 2, if there are 2 Grossly aggravating Factors, the Defendant will be sentenced to a Level 1. If there are three or more Grossly Aggravating Factors and the Defendant was stopped prior to December 1, 2011, they will be sentenced to Level 1, but if the Driver was stopped December 1 or there after, they will be sentenced at the Aggravated Level 1.
Grossly Aggravating Factors include: a Driving While License Revoked charge at the time of the current charge and where the license was suspended for a prior DWI, serious injury to another caused by the Defendant's impaired driving, a prior DWI conviction within the preceding 7 years, and having a child under 16 years of age in the vehicle at the time of the offense (as of December 1, the age is moved to passengers under 18 years old).
For a review of each North Carolina DWI Sentence Level, click on North Carolina DWI Sentence Structure.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Laura's Law Takes Affect | A Review of North Carolina's Sentencing Structure
Since this is a blog about North Carolina DWI Defense, written by a Raleigh DWI Attorney it would only make sense that I review North Carolina's Sentencing Structure. This is additionally important because, as of yesterday, North Carolina DWI Sentencing Structure has changed. I have previously written about Laura’s Law which not only adds a new, more serious sentencing level to North Carolina DWI Law, but also made a change to one of the factors which are presented by the North Carolina Assistant District Attorney, and will impact which level a Defendant will be sentenced.
Though this post will not address the three factors which determine where a Defendant will fall in North Carolina's DWI Sentencing Structure (a future post will cover them), quickly they are referred to as Mitigating Factors, Aggravating Factors, and Grossly aggravating Factors.
As of yesterday,December 1, 2011, North Carolina now has six sentencing levels for a Defendant convicted of Driving While Intoxicated. The breakdown for each is as follows:
Level 5 carries with it a fine up to $200, imprisonment for 24 hours to 60 days. If the sentence is suspended, the Judge must impose either 24 hours in jail or 24 hours of community service (or a combination of both).
- In order to be sentenced at a Level 5, the Defendant's Mitigating Factors must outweigh their Aggravating Factors and cannot have any Grossly Aggravating Factors.
Level 4 carries with it a fine up to $500, imprisonment for 48 hours to 120 days. If the sentence is suspended, the Judge must impose either 48 hours in jail or 48 hours of community service (or a combination of both).
- In order to be sentenced at a Level 4, the Defendant's Mitigating Factors must equal their Aggravating Factors and cannot have any Grossly Aggravating Factors.
Level 3 carries with it a fine up to $1,000, imprisonment for 72 hours to 6 months. If the sentence is suspended, the Judge must impose either 72 hours in jail or 72 hours of community service (or a combination of both).
- In order to be sentenced at a Level 3, the Defendant's Mitigating Factors must be outweighed by their Aggravating Factors and cannot have any Grossly Aggravating Factors.
Level 2 carries with it a fine up to $2,000, imprisonment for 7 days to 12 months. If the sentence is suspended, the judge must impose an active term of at least 7 days.
- In order to be sentenced at a level 2, the Defendant must have no more than 1 Grossly Aggravating Factors.
Level 1 carries with it a fine up to $4,000, imprisonment for 30 days to 24 months. If the sentence is suspended, the judge must impose an active term of at least 30 days.
- In order to be sentenced at a Level 1, the Defendant must have 2 Grossly Aggravating Factors.
Aggravated Level 1 carries with it a fine up to $10,000, imprisonment for 12 months to 36 months. Additionally, if the sentence is suspended, the Judge must impose an active term of at least 120 days and will not be eligible for early release from any jail sentence sooner then 4 months before the maximum range that the Defendant was sentenced. During those 4 months from release, the Defendant must not consume any alcohol and is required to wear an alcohol monitoring devise, paid for by the Defendant.
As you can see, any conviction of of a DWI in North Carolina, carries with it serious ramifications, those in the upper ranges can face jail time and serious fines. This is why a DWI should never be handled pro se (Defending yourself), rather you should hire a qualified DWI Defense Attorney to handle your case.
Though this post will not address the three factors which determine where a Defendant will fall in North Carolina's DWI Sentencing Structure (a future post will cover them), quickly they are referred to as Mitigating Factors, Aggravating Factors, and Grossly aggravating Factors.
As of yesterday,December 1, 2011, North Carolina now has six sentencing levels for a Defendant convicted of Driving While Intoxicated. The breakdown for each is as follows:
Level 5 carries with it a fine up to $200, imprisonment for 24 hours to 60 days. If the sentence is suspended, the Judge must impose either 24 hours in jail or 24 hours of community service (or a combination of both).
- In order to be sentenced at a Level 5, the Defendant's Mitigating Factors must outweigh their Aggravating Factors and cannot have any Grossly Aggravating Factors.
Level 4 carries with it a fine up to $500, imprisonment for 48 hours to 120 days. If the sentence is suspended, the Judge must impose either 48 hours in jail or 48 hours of community service (or a combination of both).
- In order to be sentenced at a Level 4, the Defendant's Mitigating Factors must equal their Aggravating Factors and cannot have any Grossly Aggravating Factors.
Level 3 carries with it a fine up to $1,000, imprisonment for 72 hours to 6 months. If the sentence is suspended, the Judge must impose either 72 hours in jail or 72 hours of community service (or a combination of both).
- In order to be sentenced at a Level 3, the Defendant's Mitigating Factors must be outweighed by their Aggravating Factors and cannot have any Grossly Aggravating Factors.
Level 2 carries with it a fine up to $2,000, imprisonment for 7 days to 12 months. If the sentence is suspended, the judge must impose an active term of at least 7 days.
- In order to be sentenced at a level 2, the Defendant must have no more than 1 Grossly Aggravating Factors.
Level 1 carries with it a fine up to $4,000, imprisonment for 30 days to 24 months. If the sentence is suspended, the judge must impose an active term of at least 30 days.
- In order to be sentenced at a Level 1, the Defendant must have 2 Grossly Aggravating Factors.
Aggravated Level 1 carries with it a fine up to $10,000, imprisonment for 12 months to 36 months. Additionally, if the sentence is suspended, the Judge must impose an active term of at least 120 days and will not be eligible for early release from any jail sentence sooner then 4 months before the maximum range that the Defendant was sentenced. During those 4 months from release, the Defendant must not consume any alcohol and is required to wear an alcohol monitoring devise, paid for by the Defendant.
As you can see, any conviction of of a DWI in North Carolina, carries with it serious ramifications, those in the upper ranges can face jail time and serious fines. This is why a DWI should never be handled pro se (Defending yourself), rather you should hire a qualified DWI Defense Attorney to handle your case.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
North Carolina Field Sobriety Test: Horizontal Gaze Nystgamus
Previously on the Raleigh DWI Attorney Blog I have discussed North Carolina DWI Stops and the administration of Field Sobriety Tests; specifically the Walk and Turn Test and the One-Legged Stand Test. I will now review the third test, known as the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test. As a Durham DWI Attorney and a Raleigh DWI Attorney, I believe having an understanding of each of these tests is important.
This test is familiar to most as the test whereby the Driver is asked to keep their head still while they track a stimulus as it moves in front of their face. A common misconception regarding this tests is that it is designed to see whether you are able to follow the stimulus without moving your head. And while that will likely be recorded if you are not able to do so, that is not the main purpose of the tests. Below I will review how the test is administered as well as what 'clues' the Police Officer is looking for.
To begin, the officer asks the Driver to keep their head still. The Officer should look to make sure the Driver's pupils are equal and that the eyes track evenly, that is, both eyes move together. The Police Officer will then move the stimulus (normally a pen, small light, or their finger) from the center of the Driver's face towards the Driver's shoulders keeping it 10-12 inches from the Driver's face. The Police officer will do this several times. Eventually, the Police Officer will hold the stimulus out towards the outside of the Driver's Peripheral vision.
During the first part of the test, as the stimulus is moved back and forth, the Officer is looking for what is known as 'smooth pursuit.' Smooth pursuit is where the eyes track the stimulus smoothly. Someone who may be intoxicated may have trouble with this and their eyes will 'fall behind' and then 'catch up' to the stimulus.
Next, the officer will look for what is called Nystagmus prior to the eyes reaching 45 degrees from the center of their face. Nystagmus is an involuntary twitching of the eye. This twitching can be caused by many things, but can be present when someone is intoxicated. For this test, the Officer is looking for Nystagmus to appear in the eyes prior to the eye reaching the 45 degrees previously mentioned.
Lastly, the officer will hold the stimulus out to the edge of the Driver's vision. The stimulus should be held there for at least 4 seconds. The Officer is looking for 'distinct' Nystagmus when the eyes are looking to their peripherals. Though this is normally present even in sober people, since the eye grows tired of holding that position, those that are intoxicated can have a more 'distinct' Nystagmus that Officers are trained to spot.
For these three tests, the officers are looking for 6 clues, 3 per eye: 1. lack of smooth pursuit, Nystagmus prior to onset of 45 degrees, and Nystagmus at maximum deviation (looking at your peripherals).
Occasionally, the Officers will also perform a Vertical Nystagmus test where they will hold the stimulus towards the upper part of the Driver's vision. Nystagmus at this point tends to appear in those who are substantially impaired.
This test is familiar to most as the test whereby the Driver is asked to keep their head still while they track a stimulus as it moves in front of their face. A common misconception regarding this tests is that it is designed to see whether you are able to follow the stimulus without moving your head. And while that will likely be recorded if you are not able to do so, that is not the main purpose of the tests. Below I will review how the test is administered as well as what 'clues' the Police Officer is looking for.
To begin, the officer asks the Driver to keep their head still. The Officer should look to make sure the Driver's pupils are equal and that the eyes track evenly, that is, both eyes move together. The Police Officer will then move the stimulus (normally a pen, small light, or their finger) from the center of the Driver's face towards the Driver's shoulders keeping it 10-12 inches from the Driver's face. The Police officer will do this several times. Eventually, the Police Officer will hold the stimulus out towards the outside of the Driver's Peripheral vision.
During the first part of the test, as the stimulus is moved back and forth, the Officer is looking for what is known as 'smooth pursuit.' Smooth pursuit is where the eyes track the stimulus smoothly. Someone who may be intoxicated may have trouble with this and their eyes will 'fall behind' and then 'catch up' to the stimulus.
Next, the officer will look for what is called Nystagmus prior to the eyes reaching 45 degrees from the center of their face. Nystagmus is an involuntary twitching of the eye. This twitching can be caused by many things, but can be present when someone is intoxicated. For this test, the Officer is looking for Nystagmus to appear in the eyes prior to the eye reaching the 45 degrees previously mentioned.
Lastly, the officer will hold the stimulus out to the edge of the Driver's vision. The stimulus should be held there for at least 4 seconds. The Officer is looking for 'distinct' Nystagmus when the eyes are looking to their peripherals. Though this is normally present even in sober people, since the eye grows tired of holding that position, those that are intoxicated can have a more 'distinct' Nystagmus that Officers are trained to spot.
For these three tests, the officers are looking for 6 clues, 3 per eye: 1. lack of smooth pursuit, Nystagmus prior to onset of 45 degrees, and Nystagmus at maximum deviation (looking at your peripherals).
Occasionally, the Officers will also perform a Vertical Nystagmus test where they will hold the stimulus towards the upper part of the Driver's vision. Nystagmus at this point tends to appear in those who are substantially impaired.
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