Wake County DUI Guide

DUI Arrest in Wake County, NC: Complete Guide

Being arrested for Driving While Impaired (DWI) in Wake County, North Carolina, can be a disorienting experience. As North Carolina’s Tenth Judicial District, Wake County operates a complex and high-volume legal system. Understanding the local procedures is crucial to navigating the process successfully. This guide provides immediate, practical steps and specific information about what to expect following a DUI arrest in Wake County, from the moment you're pulled over to navigating the court system. The Tenth Judicial District is currently undergoing a digital transformation as a pilot jurisdiction for the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s "eCourts" initiative, so it's important to be aware of the changes.

Immediate Steps (First 24 Hours)

The first 24 hours after a DUI arrest are critical. Here's a timeline of what to expect:

• Arrest: You will be placed under arrest by law enforcement. While specific DUI arrest numbers for Wake County are not explicitly detailed in the provided research, Wake County is a Tier 1 county with a large population of 1,129,410, indicating a significant volume of arrests.
• Booking: You will be transported to the Wake County Detention Center for booking.
• Processing: This involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording your personal information.
• Phone Call: You are typically allowed to make a phone call shortly after booking. Use this to contact family, a friend, or an attorney.
• Bail: Bail will be set according to the Wake County bail schedule. (Further details on bail are below).
• Release: You will be released from custody after posting bail or being released on your own recognizance (ROR), if granted.

Critical Deadlines

Missing deadlines can severely impact your case. Be aware of these key dates:

• ALR Hearing Request: You have only 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing to challenge the suspension of your driver's license. Failing to request this hearing within 15 days will result in automatic license suspension.
• Initial Court Appearance: Your first court date will be scheduled soon after your arrest. The date, time, and location will be on your release paperwork.
• Subsequent Court Dates: Additional court dates will be scheduled as your case progresses.

DUI Enforcement in Wake County

While specific DUI checkpoint locations aren't outlined in the provided research data, it's important to be aware that Wake County law enforcement actively patrols for impaired drivers. Stay informed about local news and traffic alerts, especially during holidays and weekends. It's worth noting that the District Attorney's Office is located on the 8th floor of the Wake County Justice Center, physically separating the advocates from the adjudication spaces below.

Local Resources

• Wake County Justice Center (Criminal Court): 300 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC. This is the operational nerve center for the county’s criminal justice system.
• Historic Wake County Courthouse (Civil Court): 316 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC.
• Clerk of Superior Court: Blair Williams serves as the Clerk of Superior Court for Wake County.
• Main Line: (919) 792-4000
• Criminal Division (Justice Center): (919) 792-4300
• Civil Division (Courthouse): (919) 792-4200
• Mailing Address: PO Box 351, Raleigh, NC 27602.
• Public Defender's Office: Located on the 5th floor of the Wake County Justice Center.
• District Attorney's Office: Located on the 8th floor of the Wake County Justice Center.
• Wake County Parking Deck: 216 W. Cabarrus St. Primary facility for court visitors. Alternative options include the Wake Court Lot (215 S. McDowell St) and the Salisbury Street Deck (400 S. Salisbury St).
• DUI Attorneys: (General info, search online directories or local bar associations)
• Bail Bondsmen: (General info, search online directories)

What Makes Wake County Different

Wake County's DUI process has unique characteristics:

• Bifurcated Court System: Wake County splits its court operations between the Wake County Justice Center (WCJC) for criminal matters and the historic Wake County Courthouse for non-criminal matters. Arriving at the wrong facility can result in missed docket calls and the issuance of orders for arrest.
• eCourts Initiative: Wake County is a pilot jurisdiction for the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s "eCourts" initiative, a digital transformation project replacing legacy mainframe systems with the cloud-based Odyssey case management infrastructure. This has altered the interaction between the bar, the bench, and the public.
• DWI Administrative Court (Courtroom 204): This is a unique feature of Wake County’s system. Room 204 does not conduct trials. Instead, it serves as a docket management hub for Driving While Impaired cases, managing discovery and scheduling trial dates. Defendants are generally required to appear here unless a specific waiver is on file.
• Special Setting Courts (403 & 404): Contested DWI cases are often "specially set" in Courtrooms 403 or 404 to prevent lengthy trials from clogging the general misdemeanor dockets.
• Courtroom 101: Located on the first floor of the Justice Center, Courtroom 101 is the highest-volume courtroom in the district, processing between 600 and 1,200 cases per day. It handles infractions and minor traffic offenses but does NOT conduct trials.

Given the complex nature of Wake County's court system, navigating the legal process after a DUI arrest can be challenging. Remember that the Wake County Justice Center operates Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding county-observed holidays. Plan accordingly.