The State of New York takes alcohol and drug-impaired driving seriously, so it’s important to understand the consequences after you’ve been charged with a DWI on Long Island.
Here in New York, driving while intoxicated is a crime. But there are varying degrees of alcohol and drug-related charges, all with different charging criteria and penalties. What you are charged and convicted of will determine what your penalties are and what ultimately happens to your license. If you are facing a drunk driving charge, call for a free consultation with a top-rated Long Island DWI lawyer Jason Bassett today.
What Defines a DWI?
In New York State, being charged with a DWI means that you have been charged with operating a passenger vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of .08 or higher or exhibited other evidence that you were intoxicated. If you were driving a commercial vehicle, that drops to .04 blood alcohol level.
Other variations of DWI charges are:
● Aggravated DWI — driving with a blood-alcohol level of .18 or higher
● DWAI/Alcohol/Driving While Ability Impaired by Alcohol — driving with a blood-alcohol level of more than .05 but less than .07
● DWAI/Drug — impairment by a single drug other than alcohol
● DWAI/Combination — impairment by a combination of drugs or alcohol
Penalties for any drug or alcohol-related conviction include some loss of your driving privileges. You can be facing either a suspension of your driver’s license (your driving privileges are temporarily taken away for a period of time at the end of which you can get them back by paying a suspension termination fee) or a revocation of your driver’s license (your driving are completely taken away for a period of time after which you have to re-apply for a driver’s license, which includes re-taking the written and driving tests). For a DWI first offense, you face a revocation lasting 6 months. For any subsequent DWI within 10 years, the revocation lasts at least 18 months. Aggravated DWI carries a license revocation of 1 year with revocations of at least 18 months for a 2nd or 3rd Aggravated DWI within 10 years. For a first-time DWAI (Alcohol), there is a suspension for 90 days but for another DWAI within 10 years your driver’s license is revoked for at least 6 months.
Other penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can include fines, probation, and even jail time. Fines can run from a couple of hundred dollars to $10,000 depending on the charges. Those who have had several previous convictions can face up to 7 years in jail. Your charges and penalties will also depend on other variables such as your age and whether you cooperated with a breathalyzer or other chemical test.
The Other Long-Term Consequences of a DWI
DWI charges can follow you for a very long time. These charges not only affect you legally and affect your driving privileges, but DWI convictions can also present problems in your future employment searches or even in finding housing. Whenever someone does a background searches, criminal convictions such as a DWI will surface and may affect how potential employers or landlords see you.
Because DWI cases can be very complicated, you want the guidance of an experienced DWI lawyer with you from the very beginning. A good attorney will know the laws as they relate to a DWI stop, the rules surrounding a proper arrest, how to challenge the evidence and the strategies required for a good defense.
Why You Need a Good Legal Defense for DWI Charges
There are many legal defenses available to a driver who has been charged with DWI in New York. A good lawyer will know which ones apply to your case, understand critical timelines, and how best to represent you given your charges.
Even if an acquittal is unlikely, he or she may be able to have charges reduced, argue for the minimum possible penalties, and help you apply for hardship driving privileges so you are able to get to and from work or school even if you are convicted.
If you have been charged with a DWI on Long Island, get the advice of a local criminal defense attorney to understand your rights. Jason Bassett, Esq. has over 20 years of experience representing individuals who have been charged with a DWI on Long Island. Contact him to discuss your legal options and rights.
Suffolk County Criminal Lawyer | Criminal Attorney Jason Bassett JasonB https://jbassettlaw.com/what-happens-to-my-license-after-a-dwi-on-long-island/ What Happens To My License After A DWI On Long Island?
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