Wilmington can certainly be a beautiful place to go on vacation. North Carolina, as a whole is a very popular destinations for people all over the eastern half of the country. Tourism is a major industry and many people drive to North Carolina on road trips, or fly into the state and rent cars once they arrive.
Many people who are on vacation and also choose to drink alcohol as they spend their time relaxing with friends or family. This reality is inevitably going to lead to a certain number of DUI and DWI arrests in North Carolina focused on those who have traveled to the state on vacation. Since DUI and DWI laws are different from state to state, it’s very important to know how they work here.
There are multiple legal limits
First of all, there are a few different legal limits to be aware of. Those who are underage can’t have any alcohol at all, of course. This is known as a zero-tolerance law. Commercial drivers have a limit of a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04%. Most drivers who are over 21 and who are not working in a commercial capacity have a limit of 0.08%.
There are 5 levels of misdemeanors
Many impaired driving cases are classified as misdemeanor DWI offenses, ranked from Level One through Level Five. Level Five is the least serious, with a maximum jail time of 60 days and a minimum of 24 hours, along with a $200 fine and the potential for community service. Level One is the most serious, with a minimum jail time of 30 days, a fine of $4,000 and a maximum jail time of two years. A judge is obligated to use at least the minimum sentence for a Level One conviction.
What happens next?
For those who have been arrested on vacation, this can certainly be a very complicated time. Even if you only have to spend 24 hours behind bars, you may be released without a driver’s license and with orders to return to North Carolina and to attend court hearings. Since a drunk driving conviction can result in a major impact on your life, it’s critical that you know about all of the legal defense options you have at your disposal. Seeking legal guidance proactively, therefore, is important.