Sometimes Connecticut residents travel to other states, like North Carolina, for business or pleasure and have the unfortunate luck to be charged with a DUI. If this happens to you, you should first find a qualified DUI lawyer in North Carolina, but you should also be aware of how Connecticut’s DMV will treat you upon your return.

North Carolina DUI Penalties

If you have been convicted of a DUI in North Carolina, you would be convicted of violating sections 20-4.01(14a) and 20-138.1(a)(1) of the North Carolina statutes.

In North Carolina, the penalties for DUI can range depending on the number of prior DUI offenses you have.

Level one punishment: The punishments for this conviction in the state of North Carolina are a fine up to $4,000, and a term of imprisonment of no less than 30 days and no more than 24 months.

Level two punishment: This offense carries a fine of up to $2,000, and a jail sentence of no less than seven days but no more than one year.

Level three punishment: You can be fined up to $1,000 and you will have to serve a jail sentence of no less than 72 hours, but no more than six months if you are convicted of a level three DUI. In this case your jail sentence can be suspended, but the following conditions apply: 1) serve 72 hours in prison as a condition of probation, 2) perform 72 hours of community service, 3) refrain from driving for 90 days, or 4) any combination of these conditions.

Level four punishment: If convicted of a level 4 DUI, you can be fined up to $500 and serve a jail sentence of 48 hours to 120 days. In this case your jail sentence can be suspended, but the following conditions apply: 1) serve 48 hours in prison as a condition of probation, 2) perform 48 hours of community service, 3) refrain from driving for 60 days, or 4) any combination of these conditions.

Level five punishment: This conviction will result in a fine of up to $200 and a jail sentence of 24 hours to 60 days. In this case your jail sentence can be suspended, but the following conditions apply: 1) serve 24 hours in prison as a condition of probation, 2) perform 24 hours of community service, 3) refrain from driving for 30 days, or 4) any combination of these conditions.

If you are a Connecticut resident who has been charged with or convicted of DUI in North Carolina, you should be aware that there are repercussions on your Connecticut license in your home state in addition to any license impact in North Carolina as set forth above.

After hiring a North Carolina DUI lawyer to help you fight your DUI, you should consider contacting a Connecticut DUI lawyer like our firm or asking us to assist you in retaining one for your home state consequences.