4 common mistakes DWI defendants make

Few events can ruin a fun night on the town faster than an arrest for driving while intoxicated. After all, the Tar Heel State has some serious penalties for DWI-related offenses. What you do after an arrest, though, may make a considerable difference in your future.

Just as police officers may make mistakes when arresting a DWI suspect, your actions may make matters worse. Fortunately, you may be able to use the missteps of others to improve your situation. Here are four common mistakes DWI defendants make.

1. Saying too much

If your blood alcohol concentration is above North Carolina’s 0.08% legal limit, you may believe you are out of luck. That may not be the case, however. Still, if you make incriminating statements, you may have trouble defending yourself against DWI charges. Remember, if an officer arrests you, you have a right to remain silent. You also have a right to have an attorney present for police questioning.

2. Posting on social media

While it is usually a good idea to limit what you say to officers during an interrogation, your outside statements may also be troubling. If an officer arrests you on suspicion of drunk driving, you may want to post about the incident on social media. Doing so, though, is probably a mistake, as prosecutors may use your online posts against you to secure a conviction.

3. Making a bad first impression

When you go to court, you must respect the judge, the prosecutor and the process. You do not want to make a bad first impression. Wearing appropriate clothing, making thoughtful statements and otherwise respecting the courts authority are generally good ideas.

4. Thinking the matter will go away

A DWI arrest is a serious matter that does not go away on its own. Therefore, you must prepare yourself for a criminal prosecution. This includes looking for possible defenses and fully asserting your legal rights. For both, you may need competent legal counsel.

There typically are a variety of ways to defend against DWI charges. By facing the matter head-on and avoiding common mistakes, you may minimize the potentially damaging consequences of your DWI arrest.