Common Questions and Helpful Answers About NC Criminal and DWI Charges

In Charlotte, there are a number of different misdemeanor drug possession offenses that a person may be charged with, including possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Being charged with such a crime, or any other misdemeanor drug possession charge, is a serious offense. Simply being charged can potentially impact all areas of your life, from employment, to educational and housing opportunities. If you have been charged with a misdemeanor drug possession offense, it is important to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Browning & Long, PLLC to help protect your rights.

The attorneys at Browning & Long, PLLC will not only help you understand your rights, but will also explore all possible defenses to ensure that you do not face any unnecessary consequences associated with your misdemeanor drug possession charge. This includes investigating every aspect of your case, and using the techniques described below to ultimately get your case dismissed, or dropped.

Potential Legal Issues with Drug Charges

If you were charged with a misdemeanor drug crime, do not assume that you are guilty. As former prosecutors, we understand the intricacies of the law and are aware of potential defenses that may be available in your misdemeanor drug case. Specifically, we will examine the following scenarios to ensure the police acted lawfully in charging and/or arresting you. If they did not act lawfully, it is likely that your misdemeanor drug crime will be dropped.

• Did the police have a lawful reason to stop you?
• Did the police have a valid reason to search the place or area they did?
• Were you aware of the illegal item or drug’s presence in the place it was located?
• Did you have possession of the illegal item or drug the police claim you did?
• Is the illegal item or drug what the police claim it is?

Drug Education Class in Charlotte

If, after thoroughly reviewing your situation, we determine that there are not any available legal defenses in your case, there are still other potential options to ultimately get your misdemeanor drug charge dropped. In certain situations, we can negotiate with the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office to have you complete a drug education class for dismissal of your misdemeanor drug charge. Generally, this drug education class must be completed at a service provider approved by the prosecutor’s office. Exceptions may be made for our clients who reside outside of Charlotte. In either case, the class must be attended in-person and requires 15 hours of instruction. By retaining Browning & Long, PLLC, this all can be accomplished without you ever attending court.

North Carolina G.S. 90-96 – Conditional Discharge of Drug Charges

Even if the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office refuses to allow you to complete a drug education class for dismissal of your misdemeanor drug charge, you may be eligible to have your case dismissed through a process known as conditional discharge. While case-specific, this process typically has several requirements, including the following:

• You either plead guilty or are found guilty of the misdemeanor drug possession offense
• You not have any prior convictions for certain criminal offenses, including felonies
• You complete an approved drug education class as directed by the court
• You satisfy any other requirements set by the court, such as community service and fines
• You are not charged with any new criminal charges within a designated period of time

Once you successfully complete the requirements ordered in your case, the judge shall discharge and dismiss the misdemeanor drug charges against you. This dismissal occurs without any judgment of guilt and is not considered a conviction. You are also eligible to file for an expunction, also known as expungement,  of your criminal record, that is the fact that you were charged, under North Carolina G.S. 15A-145.2.

Do You Need Help With A Criminal Matter?

The criminal defense attorneys at Browning & Long PLLC have handle many misdemeanor drug charge cases and can help you get a favorable outcome too. Contact our office at 980-224-4482 or by submitting a contact form. 

Immedicately following a DWI arrest in Charlotte, the arresting officer will take you to the police station and ask you to blow into a machine, specifically the Intoximeter Model Intox EC/IR II, to determine your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Although the officers will likely make you feel like you have to blow, you are not required to submit a breathalyzer test. It should be noted that this test differs from the field sobriety tests and preliminary breath tests the officers asked you to submit to on the side of the road. For these, we strongly suggest you refuse them, as the results will only be used against you. 

By refusing, you could potentially be strengthening your case by not giving the police access to the most incriminating piece of evidence against you in a DWI case; that is, your BAC. However, if you do not provide a breath, blood, or urine sample at this time, it will be considered a refusal.

What Qualifies as a Refusal in a DWI Case?

Under North Carolina law, a person will be deemed to have "willfully refused" if he or she has been asked to submit to a chemical analysis such as a breath, blood, or urine sample and has been advised of his or her right to refuse the test, does not provide a sample, or allows the prescribed time limit in which the test must be taken to expire.

The most common refusal is when a person simply declines to blow into the machine, however, there are many more scenarios in which an officer can allege that you refused. "Allege" is the key word here. For example, an officer can accuse you of refusing for simply not listening to his or her instructions.

In light of the significant consequences that can come along with a refusal, we wanted to highlight the level of subjectivity involved in determining whether or not a refusal occurred. For reference, we've provided some examples from old DWI cases in North Carolina in which a person was accused of refusal:

• Declining to remove an object from your mouth at the request of the law enforcement officer
• Smoking in violations of instruction not to
• Being unruly so that the proper procedures could not be completed
• Refusing to blow until your attorney arrives after the 30 minutes allowing an attorney or witness to arrive has expired
• Failure to provide an adequate sample of your breath
• Failure to provide a second sample of your breath or a third sample if first two samples were not within 0.02 of each other

Unfortunately, in North Carolina it is very easy for an officer to allege that you refused.

Penalties for Breathalyzer Refusal in Mecklenburg County

Even though you are not legally required to provide a breath or blood sample after an DWI arrest, the laws of North Carolina practically force you to do so by imposing strict penalties including both criminal and civil penalties. Additionally, an officer can obtain a search warrant and compel you to provide a sample of your blood. In this scenario, the State not only has your BAC but you also face the consequences of refusing.  

Criminal Consequences for Refusal in DWI Cases (N.C.G.S. 10-139.1(f))

During your DWI trial, the State will use your refusal against you in court. The prosecutor can provide evidence to the court that you refused to submit to a chemical analysis and they will argue that your choice (to exercise your legal right) to refuse to submit a breath, blood, or urine sample is an indication of guilt.

N.C.G.S. 20-139.1(f) states “if any person charged with an implied-consent offense refuses to submit to a chemical analysis or to perform field sobriety tests at the request of an officer, evidence of that refusal is admissible in any criminal, civil, or administrative action against the person.”

License Suspension for Refusal in DWI Cases (N.C.G.S. 20-16.2)

More serious than the criminal implications described above are the sanctions imposed by the North Carolina DMV. When you refuse to submit to a chemical analysis, your driver’s license will be suspended for a minimum of one full year. Click here for more details on license suspension penalties for drunk driving charges.

We understand the devastating impact associated with not being able to drive for 12 months and can advise you of your options for challenging a license revocation. Our attorneys can appeal your revocation before the DMV and, if necessary, a Superior Court Judge. Additionally, we can help you apply for a limited driving privilege if you qualify. The time frame to appeal your driver’s license revocation is very short.

Can the Refusal be Challenged or Dismissed?

There are ways to challenge a refusal and potentially have it dropped completely.

Police officers are required to inform you of your rights and must follow strict procedures when administering tests to determine your BAC. If the officer fails to properly inform you of your rights or does not properly conduct the test, your refusal can be dismissed. Additionally, if the officer did not have reasonable suspicion to stop you or probable cause to arrest you, your refusal can be rescinded.

Contact Our Charlotte DWI Defense & Breathalyzer Refusal Lawyers

If you have been accused of refusing to submit a chemical analysis following your DWI arrest in Mecklenburg County, we would welcome the opportunity to speak with you and thoroughly review the details of your case to determine if it is appropriate for you to challenge your refusal. Call Browning & Long, PLLC today at 980-207-3355 for a free legal consultation.

Related Articles: Common Defenses To Fight A Charlotte DWI Charge What Must Be Proved For A DWI Conviction? What Should You Do If You Are Stopped For a DWI?

 

Yes, if you have been charged with a speeding offense or other traffic violation in North Carolina there are potential options that are more beneficial than using a PJC.

Depending on the speeding offense or traffic violation you were charged with, as well as your prior driving history, you may qualify for a reduction to other offenses such as:

• Improper Equipment
• Failure to Notify the DMV of Address Change

Unlike most traffic offenses like speeding tickets and reckless driving, offenses such as these will not result in points on your North Carolina driver’s license or insurance. In fact, Failure to Notify the DMV of Address Change generally doesn’t even show up on your driving history.

Even if you don’t qualify for a reduction to a traffic offense such as Improper Equipment or Failure to Notify DMV of Address Change, in many situations a simple reduction in your speed may be more beneficial than using a PJC. Again, this is very fact specific but largely depends on if and when you, or another person on your insurance policy, have been convicted of a speeding offense or other traffic violation.

Contact Our Charlotte Traffic Ticket Defense Lawyers

Browning & Long, PLLC can help you determine if you may qualify for a reduction to Improper Equipment, Failure to Notify DMV of Address Change, or speed reduction. Contact them now for a free consultation.

The major benefits of receiving a Prayer for Judgment Continued pertains to driver’s license points and insurance premium surcharges. Since a PJC is not a judgment, the underlying speeding ticket or traffic violation that you used it for will not count as a conviction. As a result, no points will go on your North Carolina driver’s license and your insurance premiums won't increase.

Can I Use a PJC for my Charlotte Traffic Ticket Case?

While a Prayer for Judgment Continued may be used for a variety of North Carolina offenses, it is most frequently used for traffic offenses such as speeding and reckless driving charges. However, if you have been charged with certain traffic violations you will not be able to receive the benefits of a PJC. 

Charges that are excluded from using a PJC include the following:

• DWIs
• Speeding violations in excess of 25 mph over the speed limit
• Passing a stopped school bus

Additionally, if you hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), or were driving a commercial vehicle, a PJC will not prevent a speeding offense or other traffic violation from counting as a conviction. And if you are licensed in a state other than North Carolina and receive a PJC for a North Carolina speeding offense or traffic violation, it’s possible - and likely - that your state will not recognize that PJC; thus, the conviction will count against you.

How Many Times Can I Use a PJC in North Carolina?

For purposes of driver’s license points, a third or subsequent PJC within a five-year period will count as a conviction. With regard to insurance premiums, a second PJC during a three-year period will result in a conviction. This ultimately results in increased insurance premiums based on both the original PJC and new PJC, both of which will now count as convictions.

To further complicate matters, you may not be able to benefit from a PJC if you, or another person on your insurance policy, has previously used a PJC. For insurance purposes, PJCs are accumulated by everyone on your insurance policy, not just you. 

Find Out if a PJC Will Work for Your Case

While a Prayer for Judgment Continued sounds great, there may be better options for you. Not only may there be better options than a PJC, but your specific situation could prevent you from receiving any of the benefits.

The inner workings of a PJC are extremely complex. Contact our Charlotte traffic ticket defense attorneys at Browning & Long, PLLC for a free legal consultation to determine if a PJC is right for you.

To begin, DWI stands for Driving While Impaired; DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence. While the correct legal term for impaired driving in North Carolina is Driving While Impaired (DWI), there is no practical difference between it and Driving Under the Influence (DUI), or one of the many other terms used to describe impaired driving, including the following.

• Driving While Impaired (DWI)
• Driving While Intoxicated
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
• Operating a Motor Vehicle Impaired (OMVI)
• Operating a Vehicle Impaired (OVI)
• Operating While Impaired (OWI)
• Operating While Intoxicated
• Operating Under the Influence (OUI)
• Drunk Driving
• Drugged Driving

 

Speak To A Charlotte DWI Lawyer Today

Regardless of what you called it, being convicted of DWI in Charlotte, North Carolina indicates that you drove a motor vehicle while you were impaired by some impairing substance. It is not necessary for the impairing substance to be alcohol as some of the terms above would indicate (i.e. Driving While Intoxicated, Operating While Intoxicated, or Drunk Driving). In fact, it is possible to be convicted of DWI when you are impaired by a substance other than alcohol, including, but not limited to, marijuana, cocaine, and prescription medications. Thus, the term Driving While Impaired, or DWI for short, was created to include any and all substances that a person may consume that might impair their ability to drive.

If you've been convicted of DWI in North Carolina, contact the attorneys of Browning & Long, PLLC at 980-224-4482 to set up a free consultation.

DWI Case Results

More DWI Information: Common DWI Defenses That Can Get Your Case Dismissed What Must Be Proved For a DWI Conviction? Probable Cause Explained Refusing a Preliminary Breath Test Limited Driving Privileges Penalties for Breathalyzer Refusal

 

As is often the case with the law, the answer to this question is “it depends.” Generally, you must have either a North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permit or a North Carolina Handgun Purchase Permit to purchase a handgun. The Concealed Handgun Permit allows you to carry a handgun concealed in certain situations, while the Handgun Purchase Permit simply allows you to purchase a handgun.

In North Carolina there are many requirements you must meet in order to obtain one of the handgun permits mentioned above, as well as many reasons to deny you from obtaining one of these permits. This FAQ does not address all these requirements and reasons for disqualification, just those that pertain to DWI convictions. So let’s take a look at the requirements to obtain each type of permit as it concerns DWI.

North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permit and DWI Convictions

As hinted at, the North Carolina General Statutes (N.C.G.S.) dictate who qualifies for a North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permit. As these statutes pertain directly to DWI, you cannot be granted such a permit if you have been convicted of an impaired driving offense listed below within three years prior to the date your application is submitted. Those impaired driving offenses include the following:

• DWI
• DWI in a Commercial Vehicle
• Driving After Consuming by a Person Under 21

This essentially means that if you have been convicted of one of these three offenses, you must wait three years from the date of your conviction to submit your application for your North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permit.

To read more about the other requirements to obtain a North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permit, see N.C.G.S. 14-415.12.

North Carolina Handgun Purchase Permit and DWI Convictions

Even if you don’t qualify to get your North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permit because of an impaired driving conviction, you may still be able to purchase a handgun by obtaining your North Carolina Handgun Purchase Permit. As it pertains to DWI, the relevant law indicates that such a permit may not be issued to you if you are under an indictment for or have been convicted in any state, or in any court of the United States, of a felony. Since DWI related convictions are typically classified as misdemeanors and not felonies, North Carolina law does not seem to prohibit you from purchasing a handgun by obtaining your North Carolina Handgun Purchase Permit when you are convicted of DWI.

To read more about the other requirements to obtain a North Carolina Concealed Handgun Permit, see N.C.G.S. 14-404.

Although North Carolina law does not seem to prohibit it, the better inquiry may regard federal law; that is, under federal law does a DWI conviction prohibit you from possessing a handgun?

DWI Articles: What To Do If You Are Stopped For DWI How The Police Can Prove You Were "Driving" DWI Checkpoints: What NOT To Do

 

Yes. Regardless of your driving history, if you are convicted of certain speeding offenses your North Carolina driver’s license may potentially be revoked by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). These speeding offenses include the following:

1. A conviction for speeding greater than 75 mph in a zone less than 70 mph
2. A conviction for speeding greater than 80 mph in a 70 mph zone
3. A conviction for speeding greater than 15 mph above the speed limit in a 55 mph zone
4. A conviction for speeding greater than 80 mph

This means that even if you have a perfectly clean driving record, being convicted of one of the above speeding offenses can cause your driver's license to be revoked. These revocations generally result in a 30-day suspension. However, a limited driving privilege may be available for first time offenders.

Other than those traffic violations listed above, there are also other speeding violations that can potentially revoke your North Carolina driver’s license that depend more on your driving history. These speeding offenses include the following:

1. Two or more convictions for speeding greater than 55 mph, both of which occur within a 12-month period
2. One conviction for speeding greater than 55 mph and one conviction of reckless driving, both of which occur within a 12-month period
3. One conviction for speeding greater than 55 mph and one conviction of aggressive driving, both of which occur with a 12-month period

Get Your Driver's License Restored 

If you think you fall into any of the categories above, it is important to contact an experienced speeding ticket attorney at Browning & Long, PLLC. These skilled lawyers may be able to help you avoid a license revocation by discussing your legal options, such as speed reductions, a Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC), and more. Call (980) 207-3355 now for your free consultation.

Fix A Suspended or Revoked License

Follow the link below to get Browning & Long on your side immediately.

 Get My License Back