Archive for March, 2011
When Do You Need The DUI Process Manual?
Each year 1.4 million people in the USA are arrested for Drivng Under the Influence. If this has happened to you, You Need The DUI Process Manual.
Maybe you lost your job, or your license to drive your car to your job was suspended. Now you have a whole new set of problems like, How do I get my license back? How do I get a DWI lawyer that knows the latest defenses? How do I afford the SR22 insurance costs, etc.
There is so much knowledge available now to develop strategies that will clear your driving record and or minimize the effect having a DUI will have on your life.
This has been organized into a step-by-step digitized process that literally walks you through the exact steps you must take to get this done. But not everyone will be eligible to use the information. Before I can tell you more specifics of the knowledge contained in the DUI Process Manual.
Please take note of the eligibility criteria below…
The following people ARE NOT ELIGIBLE: If your offense is related to vehicular manslaughter you are not eligiblle.
If your DUI offense is complicated with felony drug charges you most likely are not eligible.
If your DUI offense involves extensive property damage and/or severe accident or injury you are not eligible.
If you are ELIGIBLE …then expunging your DUI record can occur by invoking several little known laws that you are entitled to and you can accomplish this from any state in the nation.
Each state has different DUI laws, but the way in which your records are handled is similar nationwide.
Ok, so you want to know what the DUI Process Manual can do for your particular DUI issues. I suggest you download the FREE DUI Strategies Report available here!
It was written by a collaboration of people, all with different areas of professional expertise. Then edited and organized by people who have been in your exact same shoes. That is very important. And this why you need the DUI Process Manual
Originally published here.
Michael Bofshever
Expungement in California – Removing your California Criminal Record
For more information please visit www.RecordGone.com Criminal and Expungement Defense Attorney Mathew Higbee, talks about how the State California offers ways to have your criminal record removed, expunged, sealed, or set aside. This video will briefly outline the benefits, and provide viewers information on how to remove their criminal record.
Sentencing Factors in North Carolina DWI Laws
North Carolina’s Driving While Impaired (DWI) statute defines the standard DWI as a misdemeanor, but uses its own, somewhat complicated, system to determine sentencing level. In this way, NC’s DWI statute differs from other misdemeanors which use North Carolina’s Structured Sentencing system. If you have a question about North Carolina’s DWI laws, call Lawyer RaleighDamon Chetson at (919) 352-9411.
North Carolina’s DWI Sentencing Statute is found at N.C.G.S. 20-179. What follows is a plain language translation of the statute. First, the fact finder (the judge or the jury) will determine whether there are any grossly aggravating factors or aggravating factors. Grossly aggravating factors are really bad factors which cause enhanced punishment. The following are “grossly aggravating” factors:
A prior conviction for DWI within the past 7 years (the past 7 years measured from the date of prior conviction to the date of offense).
A DWI conviction which occurred after the offense date but before or while the current DWI is being sentenced;
The DWI occurred while the Defendant’s license was revoked under G.S. 20-28, and the revocation was an impaired driving revocation under G.S. 20-28.2(a).
A child under the age of 16 was in the vehicle at the time of the DWI.
The driving caused an accident involving serious injury to another person.
If the judge or jury finds that two or more grossly aggravating factors are present, then the person will be sentenced according to Level 1 requirements. Level 1 is the harshest sentencing level under the misdemeanor DWI statute. If the judge or jury finds that just one grossly aggravating factor is present, then the person will be sentenced according to Level 2 requirements. Level 2 is somewhat less harsh than Level 1, but still very harsh. If the person is sentenced to a Level 1 or Level 2, the person is not entitled to apply for a Limited Driving Privilege during the period of license revocation.
In addition, Level 1 and Level 2 have mandatory jail or prison requirements. In some cases, if the person voluntarily enrolls in an In-Patient Treatment center, that period of treatment will be credited against any potential prison time. If no grossly aggravating factors are found or alleged, then the judge or jury next considers whether there are any “aggravating” factors. Aggravating factors include:
Gross impairment of the defendant’s faculties while driving or an alcohol concentration of 0.15 or more within a relevant time after the driving.
Especially reckless or dangerous driving.
Negligent driving that led to a reportable accident.
Driving by the defendant while his driver’s license was revoked (for a non DWI related offense).
Two or more prior convictions of a motor vehicle offense not involving impaired driving for which at least three points are assigned under G.S. 20-16 or for which the convicted person’s license is subject to revocation, if the convictions occurred within five years of the date of the offense for which the defendant is being sentenced, or one or more prior convictions of an offense involving impaired driving that occurred more than ten years before the date of the offense for which the defendant is being sentenced.
Conviction under N.C.G.S. 20-141.5 of speeding by the defendant while fleeing or attempting to elude apprehension.
Conviction under G.S. 20-141 of speeding by the defendant by at least 30 miles per hour over the legal limit.
Passing a stopped school bus in violation of G.S. 20-217.
Any other factor that aggravates the seriousness of the offense.
If you have a question about North Carolina’s DWI laws, call Lawyer Raleigh Damon Chetson at (919) 352-9411. These aggravating factors are weighed against mitigating factors. Mitigating factors include:
The Defendant has voluntarily submitted his/herself to an alcohol or drug treatment center for an assessment of potential substance abuse problems.
A statutorily safe driving record for the previous five years.
Safe and otherwise lawful driving at the time of the offense.
A low BAC reading from the Chemical Analysis (.08 or .09 results are considered low).
Impairment of the defendant’s faculties caused primarily by a lawfully prescribed drug for an existing medical condition, and the amount of the drug taken was within the prescribed dosage.
Any other factor that mitigates the seriousness of the offense.
Weighing Aggravating & Mitigating Factors The judge will weigh the aggravating factors (bad factors) against the mitigating factors (good factors). If aggravating factors “substantially” outweigh mitigating factors, then Level 3 punishment is imposed. If aggravating and mitigating factors balance each other out, then Level 4 punishment is imposed. If mitigating factors outweigh aggravating factors, then Level 5, the least harsh punishment, is imposed. If convicted, your goal will be to stay out of Level 1 and Level 2, which are the harshest sentencing levels, and to try to get into Level 5, which is the best sentencing level to be in.
Originally published here.
Damon Chetson