millerboycott.com

An out-of-state driver was recently pulled over by a North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper earlier this month. While it can be daunting for any driver to be pulled over for a traffic offense, or for a more serious investigation involving drunk driving, being pulled over in an unfamiliar state is always a difficult prospect.

As it turns out, the recent traffic stop involved reportedly involved the chief deputy from Martinsville, Virginia. She was ultimately arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired November 8. She is currently on administrative leave due to the DWI allegations, but her position in the Sheriff’s Office places her as second in command. The chief deputy was not on duty, and was driving her personal vehicle when the North Carolina trooper made the DWI arrest on U.S. 220 in Rockingham County, North Carolina.

A spokesperson in the highway patrol office in Rockingham County, North Carolina says that the DWI investigation is an open matter, and details of the DWI arrest have not been made publicly available, according to the Martinsville bulletin. However, the spokesperson did confirm the DWI arrest. The sheriff’s office in Martinsville, Virginia says that the situation is a personal matter, although the agency has placed the woman on leave and other disciplinary measures are being taken.

Sheriff’s officials in Virginia decided to publicly acknowledge the arrest after word of the DWI allegations began to spread throughout the community. But the public acknowledgement did not include any of the allegations.

It is important to note that DWI charges are matters that are brought in criminal court in North Carolina. Public information is not necessarily controlled by the same rules that are involved in court. Court rules and principles are intended to protect rights, maintain fairness and ensure that gossip or innuendo is not used to obtain criminal convictions.

Source: Martinsville Bulletin, “City deputy charged with DWI in North Carolina,” Nov. 20, 2012

• Our firm represents out-of-state drivers accused of traffic offenses and other criminal charges in the Greenville, North Carolina area. For more information on the firm, please visit the page for out-of-state drivers.

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

A Martin County deputy was reportedly pinned in his truck Tuesday night in an off-duty car accident. North Carolina troopers believe that the deputy lost control of his truck in Williamston around 6:00 Tuesday evening. The truck slammed into a tree, causing the man serious injuries. Emergency responders airlifted the man from the scene, and he spent hours in the operating room undergoing surgery.

Sources indicate that the man is in stable condition after the surgery for non-life-threatening injuries. Now that that ordeal is settling down, the deputy is facing a new ordeal-a legal ordeal in criminal court. Authorities accuse the 24-year-old man of driving while impaired.

North Carolina troopers say that the deputy, who was off-duty and driving his personal vehicle at the time of the accident is charged with DWI. The Sherriff’s Department reportedly has already placed the man on administrative leave pending further investigation into the allegations.

The DWI case could provide even more potential consequences, exposing the deputy to possible fines, jail time and issues related to his privilege to drive.

News reports do not indicate what evidence troopers are relying upon in their belief that the deputy was impaired at the time of the 6:00 p.m. car accident Tuesday.

People from any walk of life can be pulled into the criminal justice system on allegations of DWI. Moreover, the state laws are broad.

While most Greenville, Pitt County and Martin County area residents may be aware that the legal limit to drive is set at 0.08 percent blood alcohol concentration, the laws allow prosecutors to seek DWI charges based upon other evidence of impairment, and a reading lower than 0.08 percent BAC does not necessarily mean a person is immune from charges. Similarly, a prescription medication may be enough for law enforcement and prosecutors to pursue a North Carolina DWI charge in some instances.

Source: WNCT, “Update: Martin Co. Deputy Charged With DWI,” Updated July 11, 2012

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

The North Carolina Highway Patrol says a Randolph County deputy was arrested Sunday evening after being involved in an accident with a deer. Apparently the man ran into the deer on U.S. 220 around 8:20 p.m. Sunday evening. A trooper arrived at the accident scene sometime after the crash and says he smelled the odor of alcohol coming from the driver allegedly involved in the accident.

The man was taken into custody on suspicion of DWI and agreed to submit to a breath test. Law enforcement claims the man blew a breath test reading of 0.08 percent. The test result equals the exact blood alcohol reading where North Carolina law presumes impairment.

DWI charges in North Carolina can lead to harsh sentencing consequences. In addition to potential jail-time and fines, a driver may lose their privilege to drive. However, there can also be other consequences not directly related to the legal system. This blog has discussed the impact an underage DUI can have upon a college student’s future.

With an increase in background checks when seeking employment, more and more Americans are finding that criminal convictions can have an adverse affect on future job opportunities.

The Randolph County deputy resigned his position earlier this week after the DWI arrest. Before the DWI charges arose over the weekend, the deputy was assigned to patrol the Trinity area. The Trinity Mayor says the circumstances are unfortunate, but the city will move past the incident.

The former deputy is scheduled to appear in court on the DWI charges on Dec. 14.

Source: High Point Enterprise, “Randolph County deputy charged with DWI,” Nov. 4, 2011

Greenville DUI Attorney Blog | North Carolina Underage Drinking Lawyer | Pitt County First DUI Law Firm

MADD Oregon News