Opinion ID: 2967454
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Historically Regarded as Punishment

Text: Brewer argues that license revocation is commonly used in North Carolina as a form of criminal punishment and thus, is historically regarded as criminal punishment. (Brief of Appellant at 20-21.) The State counters that the revocation of a privilege has historically not been regarded as criminal punishment. We find the analysis of Oliver, 470 S.E.2d at 20, to be persuasive on this point. Oliver cites North Carolina cases dating back to 1956 which directly hold that driver’s license revocation is not punitive in nature. See id.; State v. Carlisle, 204 S.E.2d 15, 16 (N.C. 1974) ([T]he purpose of a [driver’s license] revocation proceeding is not to punish the offender, but to remove from the highway one who is a potential danger to himself and other travelers.); Harrell v. Scheidt, 92 S.E.2d 182, 185 (N.C. 1956) ([T]he revocation of a license to operate a motor vehicle is not a part of, nor within the limits of punishment to be fixed by the court, wherein the offender is tried.).