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.

Level 2 is also a severe sentencing level under North Carolina’s misdemeanor statute. Punishment for a Level 2 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. convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a 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. - of guilt. involves a fine of up to $2,000 and imprisonment for 7 days to 12 months. If the sentence is suspended, the judge must impose an active term of 7 days in jail. Only Aggravated Level 1 and Level 1 are tougher. Aggravated Level 1 requires at least 120 days and up to 3 years in prisonA prison is a facility, operated by the Department of CorrectionsA prison is a facility, operated by the Department of Corrections in North Carolina or the Bureau of PrisonsA prison is a facility, operated by the Department of Corrections in North Carolina or the Bureau of Prisons in the federal system, where an offender is sent to serve an active prison sentence of some length. in the federal system, where an offender is sent to serve an active prison sentence of some length. in North Carolina or the Bureau of PrisonsA prison is a facility, operated by the Department of Corrections in North Carolina or the Bureau of Prisons in the federal system, where an offender is sent to serve an active prison sentence of some length. in the federal system, where an offender is sent to serve an active prison sentence of some length..

New York is taking drunk driving with a child under the age of 16 in the car a step further. According to CNN, New York has made driving drunk with a child a felony punishable up to four years in prisonA prison is a facility, operated by the Department of CorrectionsA prison is a facility, operated by the Department of Corrections in North Carolina or the Bureau of PrisonsA prison is a facility, operated by the Department of Corrections in North Carolina or the Bureau of Prisons in the federal system, where an offender is sent to serve an active prison sentence of some length. in the federal system, where an offender is sent to serve an active prison sentence of some length. in North Carolina or the Bureau of PrisonsA prison is a facility, operated by the Department of Corrections in North Carolina or the Bureau of Prisons in the federal system, where an offender is sent to serve an active prison sentence of some length. in the federal system, where an offender is sent to serve an active prison sentence of some length..

As you can see, many people – even sons and daughters of famous people – have been arrested on Driving While Impaired. While Driving While Impaired (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.) is a criminal offense, it is one of the most common criminal offenses in the country.

People come to my Raleigh office ashamed of having allegedly committed 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. offense. But what I tell them is that while no one should drive drunk, people should understand that this is a relatively common occurrence.

It’s important, however, that if you are arrested on a Driving While Impaired (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.) charge, you should understand that North Carolina and the Wake County District AttorneyA District Attorney is the represented of the State, usually elected by the people of a judicial district, to prosecute crimes on behalf of the State. The Wake County District Attorney is Colon Willoughby, Jr. A District Attorney usually has a staff, including assistant district attorneys who are the actual prosecutors who handle most of the day-to-day caseload. treat these incidents harshly.

It’s therefore in your best interest to hire an attorney who is going to work diligently and carefully on your case, and who is ready and willing to go to trial – including Superior CourtSuperior Court is the higher of the two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Felonies may be resolved in Superior Court by 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., or trial. Misdemeanor convictions may be appealed to Superior Court for juryA jury may be either a grand jury or a petit jury. A grand jury is a jury that determines whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. The result is an indictmentAn indictment is a finding by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed a crime. An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An indictment, rather, is a method by which a prosecutor moves a case into Superior Court for resolution by plea or trial by jury. that sends the case into Superior Court, perhaps for a jury trial. A petit jury or simply a jury is the jury of 12 people who have been selected to hear and render a verdict in a case. trial. Trial – in order to defend your rights.

As I’ve written elsewhere, there are a lot of potential defenses to DUI/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. charges in Wake County and North Carolina. It’s in your best interest to defend against the charges with an attorney who will defend them properly.

In addition, in most cases, you are eligible for the restoration of limited driving privileges within the first 30 days of your arrest. And you are usually eligible for limited driving privileges even following convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a 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. - of guilt..

If your license has been has been revoked due to a charge of Driving While Impaired, you may be eligible for a limited driving privilege after the first ten (10) days of revocation.  A District CourtDistrict Court is the lower of two levels of trial court in North Carolina. Misdemeanors begin (and can be resolved) in District Court. Most felonies also begin in District Court, but only Class H and Class I felonies may be resolved in District Court. Judge may issue the limited driving privilege, but only if you are eligible.  Since judges and legal clerks are not permitted to give you legal advice, it may be worth your while to hire an attorney to help you restore your limited driving privileges.

These limited driving privileges will include the privilege to drive your car to and from work.  Those times are presumed to be 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.  If you are interested in requesting more than the standard hours, it’s advisable that you get a letter from your employer or boss saying that your work needs you to drive later or earlier in the day.

You will also need to:

1. Completed Petition for Limited Driving Privilege (Form AOC-CVR-9) 
2. Copy of your substance abuse assessment.
3. Certified copy of seven-year driving history from Department of MOtor Vehicles.
4. Valid proof of insurance form DL-123 from your insurance company.
5. Fully completed, typed, proposed, limited driving privilege (3 copies) Form AOC-CVR-10 or AOC-CVR-11
6. Letter from employer verifying work hours – only if requesting more than the standard hours of 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

The application is submitted, and on the next business day you or your lawyer must appear in Courtroom 1A between the hours of 11:00 am and 2:00 pm in order to petition the court in person.

If you’ve stopped at a drunk driving checkpoint in Wake County, or surrounding communities in the Research Triangle, and need an aggressive Raleigh 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. lawyer, contact me at (919) 352-9411 weekdays, evenings, or weekends for free advice.

Checkpoints require a lawyer who will investigate the legality of the checkpoint. The Supreme Court has laid down specific guidelines that police are required to follow when they set up a checkpoint to stop cars. If they have not followed those guidelines, you may escape a convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a 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. - of guilt., even if you were drunk at the time they stopped you.

In addition, there are a lot of ways to challenge the actual 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. tests they gave you at the time you were stopped. You need a lawyer who is going to fully defend you in the matter.

In most cases in North Carolina, a 30-day rehab would be overkill.  I recommend clients do get an alcohol assessment if they’ve been arrested for Driving While Impaired (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.) in Raleigh, Cary or Apex, Wake County.

There are several reasons to get an “alcohol assessment.” First, the assessment can be used to restore limited driving privileges if the driver’s license was automatically suspended at the time of arrest. Second, the assessment is useful if the driver ever faces a convictionA conviction is a formal finding by a court - either following a trial by a judge or jury or following the entry of a 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. - of guilt., because obtaining an assessment and complying with recommended treatment prior to sentencing is considered a “mitigating” circumstance, and can improve the defendant’s sentencing position.