How Likely Is Jail Time for a First DWI in North Carolina?

If you are arrested and charged with a DWI, the resulting legal consequences can be substantial. When asking “How likely is jail time for a first DWI in North Carolina?”, the court may decide to be more lenient compared to second or third offenses.

However, that is never a guarantee, and it is important that you prepare a strong defense in case the court chooses to make you an example.

Throughout this ordeal, you should hire a North Carolina DWI attorney to help you defend yourself. It’s important to take a DWI claim seriously, even if this is only your first offense.

Depending on the nature of your charges, you could be looking at serious legal penalties. Having someone in your corner who understands North Carolina’s DWI laws and has handled DWI cases similar to yours can only help you in the long run.

Hire a DWI Lawyer

There are many significant reasons why you should hire a DWI lawyer. First and foremost, you want to make sure your case is being handled by someone who knows what they’re doing. You can never have too much help in cases like this, especially if you have never been through something like this before.

William T. Corbett Jr. understands how difficult it can be to defend yourself against DWI charges. He’s spent his long career defending people just like you.

DWI charges are not rare in North Carolina. Recent data gathered from the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission showed that there were over 27,000 DWI sentences handed out throughout the state in 2023. Additional data shows that there were over 25,000 DWI convictions in 2024. These cases happen all the time in North Carolina, and it’s important to defend yourself if it happens to you.

Reach Out to Additional Support

A DWI charge can be the symptom of a larger problem that you are dealing with. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help, which you may be able to find with a local alcohol-related support group.

Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, CareSource, or county services like Craven County HOPE can provide you with a safe space to vent your frustrations and a community that cares. Sometimes, being able to talk to others about everything you’re going through can be enough to help you.

How Likely Is Jail Time for a First DWI in North Carolina?

The likelihood of jail time for a first-offense DWI in North Carolina depends entirely on the details of your case. If this is your first-ever DWI offense, nobody was hurt, and there are no additional aggravating factors, there is a decent chance that you won’t be sentenced to any jail time.

However, there are never any guarantees. It’s just as likely that the court will seek to make an example out of you and put you in jail to deter others from making the same mistake as you.

Aggravating factors virtually guarantee jail time. There are certain situations that will increase the potential penalties for your case. They include:

• Abnormally high BAC. Generally, the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for driving a vehicle in North Carolina is 0.08%, according to state law. However, if your BAC level is at 0.15% or higher, that can be considered an aggravating factor.
• Minors in the vehicle. If you are pulled over for a DWI and there is a minor under the age of 18 in the car, that will automatically increase the potential penalties. You will likely face jail time for endangering a minor.
• Serious injury. If your DWI led to an accident that caused a serious injury or resulted in someone’s death, it won’t matter if this is your first offense or not. You will face severe penalties.

FAQs

How Likely Is Jail Time for a First-Offense DWI in North Carolina?

It is somewhat likely that you could receive jail time for a first-offense DWI in North Carolina. It depends entirely on the details of your case and whether or not there are aggravating factors involved. For a first offense where nobody was hurt, there’s a decent chance you could receive probation and community service instead of jail time, but you should always prepare a strong defense anyway.

Do You Always Go to Jail for a DWI in North Carolina?

No, you do not always go to jail for a DWI in North Carolina. Whether or not you will face jail time depends entirely on the details of your case, the willingness of the court to show leniency, and whether there are aggravating factors involved. Even if this is your first offense, jail time remains a real possibility that your defense should prepare for.

How Long Is Probation for a First-Offense DWI in North Carolina?

For a first-offense DWI conviction in North Carolina, probation can last up to 120 days. The length of your probation will depend on the details of your sentence. It’s likely that you will receive probation alongside a significant fine, community service, a driver’s license suspension, and even mandatory substance abuse treatment. Your probation can be supervised or unsupervised at the court’s discretion. Your lawyer can help you get probation instead of jail time.

Should I Hire a DWI Lawyer?

Yes, you should hire a DWI lawyer. It’s recommended that you hire a lawyer any time you are going through legal issues. Having support can only help your DWI charges. If convicted, you will have a criminal record that will follow you for life. A lawyer can provide you with a fighting chance and assist you in building a strong, reliable defense strategy.

Contact a DWI Lawyer Today

Even if you do not receive jail time for your first-time DWI charges, there could still be other implications to your conviction that can affect your future.

At The Law Office of William T. Corbett, Jr., P.L.L.C., we can help you prepare for your case while ensuring you don’t lose hope. Contact us to speak to someone about your case.