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Any criminal charge can subject a person to potential consequences if a conviction is entered. But, in some circumstances a new criminal charge can create legal issues more immediately for a defendant. For instance, most people are probably aware that a new charge for a person on probation involves the potential not only for legal issues surrounding the new charge, but legal issues surrounding the previous case for which the person is serving probation.

A recent story from Carteret County, North Carolina shows a different situation where a new criminal charge can cause issues with a previous charge. A 28-year-old Swansboro, North Carolina was charged with driving while impaired and two counts of felony serious injury by motor vehicle after a motor vehicle accident was reported in Cape Carteret, North Carolina in April.

In the prior issue, authorities claim that the woman lost control of her Dodge van on North Carolina 24. The van reportedly crossed over the center line and eventually went into a roll, according to police. The woman’s four children and an adult passenger were injured.

The woman posted bond and was released pending further proceedings in the DWI case. Saturday, Morehead City Police arrested the woman on suspicion of shoplifting at a Walmart store. The woman was brought in this week into Carteret County Superior Court for a hearing in the earlier DWI case. The judge increased bond in the April DWI case to ,000. The 28-year-old mother is being held under the increased bond in the Carteret County Jail.

Source: Jacksonville Daily News, “Bond increased for mom accused in DWI case after shoplifting charge,” Jannette Pippin, June 6, 2013

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A 24-year-old Lowell woman is being held in the Gaston County Jail on ,000 bond after allegedly driving drunk with a child in her vehicle. Gaston police claim the woman was driving a Ford Escape that struck two other vehicles Friday night. Police claim the Lowell woman got out of her Ford at some point after the alleged collisions and argued with one of the other drivers before leaving the area.

Gaston police say they learned the woman’s license plate number. Officers later appeared at the woman’s home and claim they smelled the odor of alcohol. Law enforcement says the woman’s car showed signs of damage. The woman was taken into custody at her home on suspicion of driving while impaired. Ultimately, the woman faces a string of charges related to the allegations.

At some point after the three car accident, police say witnesses called 911. Law enforcement says the witnesses said it looked like someone else was in the car at the time of the traffic accident. The Gaston Gazette says in a newspaper article that police determined the woman had a child in her car at the accident scene; however, the news report does not indicate what evidence police used to come to that conclusion.

When law enforcement took the woman into custody at her home, they say the woman resisted arrest. The woman faces charges of DWI, resisting arrest, child abuse, two counts of hit and run, reckless driving, no liability insurance and expired registration.

This blog reported in August that allegations of drunk driving with a child in the car become much more severe beginning in December. State law makes DWI with a child aboard a Level One DWI offense in North Carolina. That new law does not apply to allegations that occur prior to the December 1 effective date of the change in the law.

Source: The Gaston Gazette, “Police: Drunken driver hits two cars then flees with child in backseat,” Diane Turbyfill, Oct 23, 2011

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Asheville, North Carolina police say a 23-year-old mother is facing a number of charges following a traffic accident that occurred Wednesday. Law enforcement reportedly claims the woman was driving while impaired at the time of the crash. News reports do not indicate what substance police believe was involved in the incident; however, the woman is accused of drugged driving, based upon prescription medication.

Police claim an officer at the scene of the traffic accident determined the woman was under the influence based upon the medication she was taking. News reports do not indicate how the officer made the determination. However, police say a blood test was taken after the accident.

In addition to the DWI charge the woman reportedly is facing at least five other serious charges related to the incident. The young mother reportedly was traveling with her two children in the car on Wednesday. Police claim the woman rear-ended another vehicle. She faces charges of misdemeanor child abuse in conjunction with the DWI charge.

Law enforcement claims the woman was driving with a revoked license. In North Carolina, there are a number of different ways a driver can face a license suspension or revocation. In addition to being suspended or revoked due to allegations of DWI, North Carolina law allows for the state to suspend driving privileges for missing a court date or accumulating too many points on a driving record.

The woman also faces charges for failure to reduce speed, failure to register a vehicle and one count for not having car insurance. The woman reportedly was booked into the Buncombe County Jail and is being held on ,000 bond.

Police claim the two young children in the woman’s vehicle and those in the other vehicle involved in the collision suffered minor injuries. None of the people reportedly required hospitalization after the traffic accident.

Source: WYFF Greenville, “APD: Mom Om Medication Charged After Wreck,” Sept. 29, 2011

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