Just like in any other state in the union, North Carolina has strict laws against DWI. Raleigh drivers who are arrested for driving while intoxicated will have to defend themselves in court on criminal charges and if found guilty will have to face serious penalties. These could include steep fines, time spent in jail, a suspended license, and weeks of required classes. In any case, the repercussions can affect the life of the accused for many years to come.

When faced with these harsh penalties, you'd have to be a fool not to seek the assistance of a criminal defense law firm. Raleigh, NC drivers who are charged with DWI should actually contact a reputable law firm as soon as they have been arrested and begin working with a DWI attorney. Raleigh, as well as the rest of the state of North Carolina, is known for having some of the harshest laws in the United States. Facing the courts that uphold these laws is frightening and confusing, but having a good attorney by your side can help make the process go as smoothly as possible.

The laws are very clear in North Carolina when it comes to DWI. Raleigh drivers can be prosecuted for a DWI charge in one of two ways ? the common law driving under the influence charge, or the ?per se? law. In the common law, the prosecutor will seek to convict the accused of being too intoxicated to drive based on the results of any field sobriety tests, past driving habits, accidents the driver has caused in the past, appearance and other things. In the latter case, the only thing that affects the outcome of the case is the specific level of alcohol concentration in the driver's blood at the time of their arrest. A blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher qualifies for DWI.

Whichever type of case you may find yourself involved in, these serious charges will always require the assistance of a DWI attorney.