Can I Get Bail for a DUI/DWI in North Carolina?

If you or someone you love is arrested and charged with a DUI (Driving Under the Influence), the first thing you’ll want to do is get out of jail. Is bail usually allowed for someone charged with DUI in North Carolina? The short answer is: usually. In many cases bail is allowed but in some circumstances the judge will refuse to set bail.
North Carolina has some of the strictest DUI laws in the country. The national standard BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) limit is 0.08% for individuals 21 and over. North Carolina has a zero-tolerance policy for those under 21, which means those individuals may not drive with any alcohol in their system.
If you are pulled over by the police under suspicion of driving while intoxicated, you will be asked to submit to a Breathalyzer test, or in some cases, a blood or urine test. In North Carolina, it is a legal offense to refuse any of these tests. If you refuse to take them, your driver’s license will be immediately suspended up to 1 year. See more information here.
Returning to the subject of bail, it is possible that bail will be assigned soon after booking at the police station. In the least serious cases, such as a first offense with a BAC less than 1.4 and no mitigating factors, a suspect may be released on his or her own recognizance (meaning no bail is required for release from jail, but the suspect agrees in writing to return for court appearances). For more serious or repeat offenses, the suspect must wait to appear in court in front of a judge. Bail will be set at the judge’s discretion. The judge will determine the sentencing level based upon several factors, including prior DUI convictions, criminal history, BAC level, and other mitigating factors such as if a minor was riding in the vehicle or if anyone was injured.
If bail is set, you will have the opportunity to pay the amount in full and be released. If you cannot afford to pay the full amount, your next call should be to a qualified, licensed Bail Bonds professional like Ace Bail Bonds in Raleigh, NC. A Bail Bonds professional will issue a bond to the court and collect a percentage of the bond amount as a fee. You or your family members may be asked to secure the bond with collateral. After you have been released, it is extremely important that you return to court for all your scheduled appearances.
Do you have questions related to a DUI and posting a bail bond? Call Ace Bail Bonding at 919-337-2862 today for a consultation. We have experienced professionals available to take your call 24/7.