Understanding North Carolina Street Takeover Laws and Penalties
A growing issue in metropolitan areas across North Carolina is the street takeover. To address this concern, the state legislature passed N.C.G.S. 20-141.10, defining street takeovers as unauthorized incidents where portions of highways, streets, or public vehicular areas are blocked by vehicles performing stunts or exhibitions, disrupting regular traffic. Violations of this law can result in serious penalties, including jail time.
What Is Considered a Street Takeover in North Carolina?
The law broadly covers public highways and streets, but also extends to any public vehicular areas such as parking lots. Importantly, even if a business is closed, a parking lot is still considered public if it is accessible to vehicles.
What Penalties Can You Face for a Street Takeover?
Violating street takeover laws can lead to an A1 misdemeanor on the first offense and a Class H felony on subsequent offenses. If a law enforcement officer is threatened during a takeover, the offense automatically escalates to a felony. These penalties include mandatory fines of at least $1,000, jail or prison time, and the possibility of vehicle seizure and auction.
Defining Stunts, Contests, and Exhibitions
Stunts like burnouts, doughnuts, and drifting are examples of illegal motor vehicle activities under street takeover laws. Here’s how each is defined:
- Burnout: A vehicle spins its tires while stationary or moving, creating smoke from friction.
- Doughnut: The vehicle rotates in a circular motion, leaving skid marks and potentially emitting smoke.
- Drifting: The vehicle skids sideways through a turn with controlled steering.
What Are the Legal Consequences for Organizing a Street Takeover?
The law also targets those who organize street takeovers, whether through social media or other means. Anyone caught facilitating a street takeover can face charges equivalent to the participants, leading to an A1 misdemeanor.
Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney at Jetton & Meredith
Given the serious consequences of a street takeover charge, it’s essential to have an experienced attorney on your side. If you or someone you know is facing a street takeover charge, contact the Criminal Defense team at Jetton & Meredith today for expert legal representation.