I was recently asked by a client, “Is there anything we can do to speed up the process? I don’t want to wait 6 to 9 months to resolve my DWIA DWI is a Driving While Impaired offense. It is more commonly referred to as drunk driving. In North Carolina, the term DWI is used. In other states, the terms DUI or OUI may be used. North Carolina's DWI is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to three years in jail.?”
The answer is: yes, you can speed up the process. You can walk into court on the first court date and plead guilty.
This is NOT something I recommend. Why? Because the pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. offer you’re likely to get on the first court date is likely the worst pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. offer you could get. The DA knows you’re anxious to resolve the matter. Consequently, the Wake County DA will offer you a really bad deal, one that you should almost always refuse. In the case of a DWIA DWI is a Driving While Impaired offense. It is more commonly referred to as drunk driving. In North Carolina, the term DWI is used. In other states, the terms DUI or OUI may be used. North Carolina's DWI is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to three years in jail., while the pleaA plea agreementA plea agreement is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. is usually a negotiated agreement between the defendant (through his lawyer) and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, including, but not limited to, a reduced sentence or a reduction of charges.
An Alford Plea is a guilty plea with all of the benefits and consequences of a guilty plea, but where the defendant does not admit personal guilt. offer is almost always to “plead open” (i.e., you get nothing in exchange) and that may be something you’d want to do eventually, there’s no reason to do it on the first court date.
There may be circumstances in which you absolutely need to get the DWIA DWI is a Driving While Impaired offense. It is more commonly referred to as drunk driving. In North Carolina, the term DWI is used. In other states, the terms DUI or OUI may be used. North Carolina's DWI is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to three years in jail. or other criminal matter resolved right away. Perhaps you’re about to enlist in the armed forces. None of the branches will take an enlistee unless all criminal matters are resolved. Consequently, you may want to “get it over with.”
But for many people, waiting is the best thing to do. Why? Because as time goes on, the state’s position almost always weakens. And DAs get more eager to offer better pleas as time goes on.
Finally, in many cases, you won’t get all of the information about your case until at least 6 to 9 months after you are first charged. For instance, if you’re charged with a DWIA DWI is a Driving While Impaired offense. It is more commonly referred to as drunk driving. In North Carolina, the term DWI is used. In other states, the terms DUI or OUI may be used. North Carolina's DWI is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to three years in jail., and as part of your arrest you submitted to a blood test, the blood results won’t be returned by the SBIThe SBI, based in Garner, is North Carolina's version of the FBI. It has a crime lab, and agents who conduct investigations usually of state-wide importance. The SBI is operated under the auspices of the NC Department of Justice. for months.
The State Bureau of InvestigationThe SBI, based in Garner, is North Carolina's version of the FBI. It has a crime lab, and agents who conduct investigations usually of state-wide importance. The SBI is operated under the auspices of the NC Department of Justice. (SBIThe SBI, based in Garner, is North Carolina's version of the FBI. It has a crime lab, and agents who conduct investigations usually of state-wide importance. The SBI is operated under the auspices of the NC Department of Justice.), the agency that conducts the blood test, has such a backlog, that the results of the test won’t be available until at least 6 months after your arrest.
The answer is to sit tight and wait. At most, you’ll have to make a number of appearances. If you’re out-of-state, your attorney can make those for you.
But otherwise, you can go about your life, maybe save up some money for the fines and costs you’ll have to pay, and relax.
Damon Chetson is a North Carolina Lawyer. He practices in Raleigh, Apex, and Cary, North Carolina. He also defends individuals charged with crimes throughout the Research Triangle. He works hard to defend his clients' rights. He represents people charged in all parts of the Research Triangle. If you're looking for a lawyer in Raleigh or Wake County, NC, you can call the us for a free consultation at (919) 352-9411 weekdays, evenings, weekends, and Holidays.
