Candler Multiple DWI Lawyer

Candler Multiple DWI Attorney

If you are charged with driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), the potential penalties get much worse if you have already been convicted of one or more DWIs. Subsequent convictions also come with less leniency from judges. It is important that you work with a Candler multiple DWI lawyer. A skilled attorney can defend your rights, and could be able to mitigate or eliminate the charges you face.

You need an experienced and dedicated defense attorney for multiple DWI charges. At Edwards Law, PLLC, we handle DUI, felony DUI, underage DUI, and illegal DUI stop cases. We know how overwhelming it can be to face harsh penalties for a DWI, and you don’t have to navigate this case alone. For more than a decade, our firm has fought for the interests of those facing criminal charges in the communities around Candler. We work to minimize the effect this case has on your life and your future by building a strong defense or negotiating a plea deal.

DWI Basics

A DWI or DUI is the offense of operating a vehicle while impaired by any substance or having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. Commercial drivers and underage drivers have lower limits. There were 15,346 arrests for DWI offenses in North Carolina in 2023, according to the state’s Bureau of Investigation.

In Buncombe County, there was a five-year average of 7,622 crashes from 2019 to 2023, and an average of 316 of those crashes were alcohol related. While alcohol-related crashes only make up 4.2% of all crashes in the county in that five-year span, they make up 22.5% of fatal crashes.

What Are the Penalties for Multiple DWIs?

There are multiple levels of penalties for DWIs, and the level you are charged at depends on the aggravating and mitigating factors present in your case. Having prior offenses within seven years is a grossly aggravating factor. If there are a certain number of grossly aggravating factors, the judge must impose a specific sentence level. This means that a subsequent DWI can only be charged at a Level Two, Level One, or Aggravated Level One.

• Level Two penalties: Conviction for a Level Two DWI can lead to up to $2,000 in fines and imprisonment of between seven days and 12 months.
• Level One penalties: This can lead to up to $4,000 in fines and imprisonment between 30 days and 24 months.
• Aggravated Level One penalties: This can result in up to $10,000 in fines and imprisonment between 12 months and 36 months. Special probation still requires a minimum sentence of 120 days.

Habitual Impaired Driving

If you are convicted of three or more DWI offenses in Candler within 10 years and are arrested for a subsequent DWI offense, you can be charged with habitual impaired driving. This is a Class F felony. Typically, a Class F felony can result in between 10 months and 41 months of imprisonment, but this charge requires a minimum of 12 months of imprisonment that cannot be suspended. Conviction also results in the permanent revocation of your license.

Hire a Multiple DWI Lawyer in Candler

When you work with a skilled attorney, they can guide you through your criminal case, representing your interests and defending your rights. You don’t have to manage this case by yourself. If you are facing DWI charges with multiple prior DWI convictions, you need to act quickly. Reach out to Edwards Law, PLLC today and let us help you.