Certain wake-up calls aren’t what you want to experience, while others prompt you to change your life. That was the case for a North Carolina woman. Last February the woman was charged with DWI and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.
It was a cold winter evening last year when the defendant’s car ran out of gas on a highway after midnight. She made the mistake of leaving her 16-month-old child in the car while she went to get help. When she returned to her car, police were on the scene and found her daughter in the unlocked, cold vehicle. When police approached the defendant, they smelled alcohol and reported that she was unsteady on her feet.
According to the complaint, when officers took her into custody, they found muscle relaxers and sleeping pills within her possession. The defendant refused to take a Breathalyzer test at the time of her arrest, but blood was drawn later and she had a blood alcohol level of 0.18. In North Carolina, a driver is over the legal limit at 0.08.
The defendant accepted a plea agreement where she plead guilty to DWI and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and the other charges she was facing were dropped. She was sentenced to 18 months of probation.
If you find yourself facing a drunk driving charge, you need to speak with a criminal defense attorney who knows how to defend you against fines, jail time and a permanent record. Negative consequences could include limitations on future employment, travel restrictions and other repercussions. Every situation is unique and only an attorney can help you figure out the best options for your case.
Since the defendant’s arrest, she has made great strides to get her life back together. She checked herself into a 30-day inpatient rehabilitation facility and has also attended approximately 100 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Although her child was taken away from her and put into foster care, she has now regained unsupervised visits with her daughter.
Source: Gaston Gazette, “Mom pleads guilty to DWI, leaving child in cold car,” Diane Turbyfill, Feb. 6, 2012