Court to decide on revisited DWI cases

NEW HANOVER COUNTY — A first of its kind DWI appeal case wrapped in court Wednesday afternoon. But it may take a while before there’s any decision.

It could be some time before the judge comes back with a ruling in this complicated case.

In essence, this is a story of bungled paperwork. Last January judges dismissed 83 DWI cases because the magistrates booking the suspects didn’t fill out the right form. Now the DA is arguing that the cases can still be tried and wants the dozens of thrown out cases prosecuted after all.

After two days in court there is still no ruling. And late word is that it might take another week and a half before a final ruling is handed down, leaving all of the defendants dangling in a legal limbo.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys are not allowed to discuss the case outside of the courtroom until a ruling has been made.

Many people have raised the question of double jeopardy since these cases had been dismissed, but we can’t talk with any of the participants because of the gag order.