Pre-Trial Driving Privileges Video Transcript

Jim: Mike, let’s say I’ve just been charged with DWI. So, I guess one of the first questions is how can I get pre-trial driving privileges?

Michael Fradin: Well, Jim that’s one of the most asked questions for the first thing when people come into my office. You can’t get driving privileges for the first ten days. The first thing you need to know is your license is automatically going to be suspended for 30 days upon blowing a .08 or higher or refusing.

For the first ten days of that 30 day period, you can’t get any driving privileges. After that ten-day period is up, from day 11 until day 30 you can get what are called pre-trial limited driving privileges. Which will allow you to go to work, to school, maintenance of the household, and things like that.

Jim: Just the bare essentials.

Michael Fradin: Just the bare essentials, yes.

Jim: I understand. But, are these privileges difficult to get if I’m a client of yours? Is it automatic? Do you just get them if you do the right paperwork, or what?

Michael Fradin: No. Well, there’s a lot of paperwork involved. But no, you don’t automatically get them.

The first thing that you do need to know is that you have to have had a valid driver’s license when you were pulled for DWI in the first place.

Then, there are several things that need to be done. First, there needs to be a petition filed which we, your attorney, can file that for you.

You have to include with that petition an alcohol assessment. A pre-trial alcohol assessment, which I think we’ve talked about before. You have to get an alcohol assessment.

You have to include a one hundred dollar fee. Or, in some cases, it’s a little more than one hundred dollars.

If you have any hours between 6 am until 8 pm, Monday through Friday, that you need to work or go to school, you need a special letter from your employer or your school.

And, finally, you need what’s called the DL 123 which is basically just proof of insurance. And, that comes from your insurance company.

Jim: Alright, we talked about pre-trial privileges, what about post-trial driving privileges? That’s coming next.

Contact an Attorney with Experience Petitioning for Pre-Trial Driving Privileges

Our criminal defense attorneys can help you gather the right information to petition for pre-trial driving privileges in North Carolina. Contact us today to schedule a consultation in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, or High Point.