Bill Aiming to Increase Repeat Drunk Driving Penalties in North Carolina

June 16, 2011

Bill Aiming to Increase Repeat Drunk Driving Penalties in North Carolina

The North Carolina House recently approved a bill that would substantially increase the penalties for repeat drunk drivingoffenses. House Bill 49, also known as "Laura's Law" passed the House unanimously and now moves on to the state Senate.

Current Law

In North Carolina, there are several grossly aggravating factors which can increase the penalties for DWI convictions:
-A previous impaired driving offense within seven years
-At the time of the offense, the operator was driving with a revoked license
-Serious injury resulted to another person
-At the time of the offense, the driver was operating the vehicle with someone under the age of 16 in the car


Currently, if two or more grossly aggravating factors are present, a Level One punishment must be imposed by the judge. This can include up to a $4,000 fine and anywhere from 30 days in jail to as much as two years in prison.

Proposed Changes

Under the proposed changes in Laura's Law, a new Aggravated Level One punishment would be added to the statute. If three or more grossly aggravating factors are present, offenders would face a fine of up to $10,000 and a prison sentence of anywhere from one to three years.

The sentencing changes also eliminate the possibility of parole and increase the use of alcohol monitoring equipment for some offenders. The bill now moves on to the Senate, where most observers expect it to pass. It must then be signed by Governor Perdue in order to become law.

Getting Help

North Carolina has some of the toughest drunk driving penalties in the country and will become tougher if the new bill becomes law as expected.

Drunk driving charges are serious and can affect your family, your job and your reputation. If you are facing DWI or any other charges for impaired driving, it is important to contact an experienced attorney to discuss your case.

Article provided by Wood, Rabil & Peake, LLP
Visit us at http://www.wrplaw.net