Category: DWI

Getting pulled over on suspicion of a DUI – driving under the influence – can be a scary experience. You definitely didn’t think you’d be stopped, and you probably assumed you weren’t that drunk to drive. But now that you’re in the moment, you can’t be sure.

So when a law enforcement officer asks you to take a breath or blood test to confirm your blood alcohol content (BAC), what should you do?

Do you refuse to take the test just in case you actually are over the legal BAC limit of 0.08? [...]

Drunk driving is a serious offense no matter where you are, but the laws in North Carolina are especially harsh if you’re caught. Not only will a drunk driving conviction take a toll on your wallet, but it will also jeopardize your freedom, driving privileges, reputation, and future opportunities. Not to mention the potential injury or death you may cause, which can lead to increased penalties and even personal injury lawsuits.

That’s why it’s important to know the drunk driving laws in North Carolina and what will happen if you are ever stopped [...]

We usually associate getting pulled over in a car with a simple traffic issue – speeding, running a red light or stop sign, failing to use a turn signal, and so on. These traffic violations are considered minor offenses called infractions. When we get a minor infraction, the police officer writes us a ticket, we have to pay a fine, and there may be negative effects for our driving record or car insurance rates.

Sometimes, however, people get pulled over for a traffic violation that isn’t so minor. Instead of being pulled over [...]

Maybe you just had a few cold ones and thought you were fine to drive. Or you were surprised to be stopped at a DUI checkpoint, and even more surprised when the breathalyzer registered you as over the limit.

In North Carolina, getting a DUI is a serious offense. It can deplete your wallet, take away your freedom, and ruin your reputation.

DUI Requirements

If you’re pulled over on suspicion of a DUI, your blood alcohol content (or BAC) will be tested. The limits are as follows:

  • 21 or older:08 BAC
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In North Carolina, you are considered legally intoxicated and forbidden from operating a motor vehicle if you have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or more.

If you are lawfully arrested for a DWI by a police officer who has probable cause to believe you are driving over the legal limit, then you are required to take a BAC test.

In North Carolina, there are three different types of tests that may be used to determine your BAC— breath, blood, and urine testing. We’ve included a guide to these three tests [...]