Laura's Law targets multiple DWI offenders

March 23, 2013 (Press-News.org) Laura's Law targets multiple DWI offenders

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In December 2012, North Carolina's new law targeting individuals with multiple drunk driving offenses went into effect. The law has implications for those with multiple drunk driving convictions.

Laura's Law in North Carolina

The new law is named after a teenage girl who was killed by a drunk driver. The driver had multiple drunk driving offenses on his record and was intoxicated when he hit the teen. Now convicted of second-degree murder, the driver is serving a 28-year sentence.

Laura's Law went into effect on December 1, 2012. It requires individuals with multiple driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenses to serve prison terms of between one and three years for future convictions. Prior to the new law, the toughest penalty people with multiple violations faced was at least 30 days in jail.

The law also includes the use of Continuous Alcohol Monitoring bracelets for those accused of DWIs before their trials and during probation. Under the new rules, the bracelets may be required for longer than the previous 60-day limit. The bracelets use an individual's perspiration to check his or her blood alcohol concentration nearly 50 times per day.

DWI offenses in North Carolina

The state of North Carolina takes drunk driving offenses seriously. Those convicted of driving while intoxicated face thousands of dollars in fines, months in jail and the revocation of their licenses.

First-time convictions for drunk driving carry a license suspension of one year, up to a $2,000 fine, one day to 24 months in prison, 24 hours of community service and 30 days with limited driving privileges.

Convictions for second offenses carry even stiffer penalties. A second drunk driving conviction carries a license suspension of up to four years if the offense was committed within three years of the first offense. The second conviction for drunk driving also carries a $1,000 fine, seven days to 12 months in prison and no limited driving privileges if the second conviction is within seven years of the first.

Penalties for an individual's third DWI offense include permanent license suspension if at least one of the prior convictions is within five years of the third conviction, up to $2,000 in fines and 14 days to 24 months in prison.

A fourth conviction for DWI results in the permanent suspension of the convicted individual's license. The charge could also be increased to a felony if the three prior offenses were within the past seven years. If convicted, individuals also face one to three years in prison and a fine.

In the cases in which a license can be reinstated, drivers with their first DWI conviction must comply with a lower blood alcohol concentration of .04 percent. Drivers with multiple convictions face a zero-tolerance rule of having 0.0 percent blood alcohol concentration.

North Carolina's DWI laws became tougher with the enactment of Laura's Law, targeting those with multiple drunk driving offenses. If you or a loved one has been accused of a DWI, please contact an experienced criminal law attorney.