In the state of North Carolina, if someone has been charged with three or more DWIs in a ten year period, they will be deemed a habitual DWI offender. This is not particularly common in the state; however, it does happen from time to time. Further, the more DWI convictions an offender generates, the stiffer the penalties become, especially once that person reaches habitual status. But, unfortunately this deterrence does not stop everyone.
A man in the city of Gastonia was arrested recently for his ninth DWI conviction when he was pulled over by police after they observed him running a red light, and traveling along the wrong lane of traffic. Police thereafter arrested the man for DWI, and found that he had been charged with DWI on eight previous incidents. His blood alcohol concentration has not yet been determined at the time of arrest.
This is an extreme scenario, and not one that is likely encountered in the state; however, when such an offender is charged, the state of North Carolina imposes extremely severe penalties. If you have been arrested for your fourth DWI or more in the last seven years, you will be facing a felony DWI charge. The charge is for habitual impaired driving which can result in the following:
- Mandatory one year prison sentence;
- Ineligibility for appeal of conviction;
- Permanent license revocation;
- Court sanctioned substance abuse treatment; and
- Seizure of vehicle
This is one of the most serious penalties one can garner as a result of a driving while intoxicated charge; aside from felony death by motor vehicle, and other injury causing DWI’s. The state does not have much patience with regard to repeat DWI offenders.
