If you face DWI charges, many different penalties could lie ahead, whether you have to pay an expensive fine or you face time behind bars. In addition, the charges could impact your life in other ways as well. For example, you could face the seizure and even forfeiture of your vehicle.
It is important to review how vehicle seizure and forfeiture works in North Carolina and carefully familiarize yourself with your options.
Vehicle seizure over DWI charges
According to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, vehicle seizure can occur when some people find themselves stopped by a law enforcement official for driving while impaired. For example, if charged with DWI while driving with a revoked license due to a past DWI, you could face vehicle seizure. It is important to note that vehicle seizure occurs when law enforcement takes the driver into custody.
DWIs can lead to vehicle forfeiture
If convicted of DWI while you already had your driver’s license revoked due to a past DWI, you could face the forfeiture of your vehicle. Forfeited vehicles go to local school boards, which can either sell vehicles or keep vehicles for internal use. However, if you can prove that you are innocent, or you are the owner of a seized vehicle but someone else drove it while impaired, you could avoid the forfeiture of your vehicle even if authorities seized it.
Losing your vehicle could have a devastating impact on your life, making it difficult to get to work or handle other responsibilities, and it is pivotal to review all details surrounding your DWI case closely.
