Today we are going to continue last week’s discussion of DWIs in Jacksonville, North Carolina by looking at some additional commonly asked questions.
The police officer who arrested me never read me my rights. That means they cannot convict me, right?
Not necessarily. It is a common misconception that the police have to read you your rights when you are being arrested. This is commonly called being “Mirandized”. If the police want to ask you questions and use your answers as evidence in court, they have to Mirandize you. But failing to read your rights does not automatically mean that your case will be thrown out or you will not be convicted.
Most people arrested for DWI are not Mirandized when they are arrested. If they want to question you later, the police are supposed to Mirandize you. But even if they make a mistake and forget to read you your rights they can still try to prosecute you using other evidence besides answers given during a custodial interrogation.
Talk to a lawyer to get a fair evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of your case.
If I lose my license because of my DWI I will lose my job. What do I do?
Talk to us as soon as possible. Although a DWI conviction will result in a suspension of your license, most people are still eligible for a limited driving privilege. Also commonly called a “Cinderella license” or “paper license” this driving privilege would potentially allow you to drive for work, school or maintenance of your household. You will need to provide us with some specific paperwork covering your employment, your car insurance and an alcohol assessment. But once you provide us with the necessary documentation we will be able to secure limited driving privileges for you so you can continue to go to work or school.
What should I do if I’m charged with a DWI in Jacksonville?
Contact a local lawyer quickly. You may have rights to contest certain aspects of your case, but some of those rights must be exercised within a few days of being charged with a DWI. In the long run, this type of case will involve multiple legal issues that can be explored to look for a winning strategy. If you are charged with a DWI in Onslow county you should not make a decision about your situation until you have spoken with a lawyer who has represented DWI clients in Jacksonville, who will protect your rights and who will give you the best chance for a successful outcome.