When a New York court convicts a driver either of driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving while ability impaired by a drug (DWAI), one of the possible penalties is the loss of their driving privileges. The state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can either suspend...
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DWI
The escalating penalty rules for New York DWI charges
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges are a top reason for people's arrest and prosecution in New York. Those who cause crashes or who fail breath tests during traffic stops often face prosecution and penalties ranging from incarceration and fines to license...
Factors that can worsen your DWI charge
When drunk, it is generally wise to avoid driving your car altogether, lest you get a driving while intoxicated (DWI) charge. Such a charge can have serious consequences, and, in New York state, it may get worse depending on various factors. Here are some of the...
Zero Tolerance repeat offenses lead to more severe punishments
Like other U.S. states that don’t tolerate underage drinking, New York has a Zero Tolerance Law. Drivers under 21 years of age caught with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level between .02 and .07 violate the Zero Tolerance Law, and they will face a litany of...
What are the social consequences of a DWI conviction?
Being convicted of a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge can result in significant social consequences. These social consequences can affect an individual's personal relationships, reputation, professional interests and overall social standing. It is partially for...
Do you have to submit to field sobriety testing?
Field sobriety testing is a common tool used by law enforcement officers to determine if a driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. However, these tests are not always accurate, and drivers should be cautious about agreeing to them because they generally...
There are many different reasons for a traffic stop
In the vast majority of situations, the police need to have a reason to pull over a car. They cannot make a random stop. That would be a violation of the driver’s rights. For instance, a police officer may be tempted to drive around in a local bar district after 2:00...
Why you should not drive with a suspended or revoked license after a DWI
If you are convicted of driving while intoxicated, your driving license may be suspended or revoked. This is in addition to other penalties, including a fine and a jail term. When your license is suspended or revoked, you should not drive. Here is what can happen if...
Will you need to install an IID to drive after a DWI charge?
It is common for those convicted of a driving while intoxicated (DWI) offense in New York to temporarily lose their driving privileges. License suspension is among the standard penalties a judge will impose when someone pleads guilty or the courts convict them of a...
Perfectly legal medication can lead to an impaired driving arrest
Maybe your doctor prescribed muscle relaxants because you hurt your neck in a slip-and-fall incident. Perhaps you need to take opioid pain relievers to go about your daily business after having a surgery. There are many medications that you can legally take that could...