As you almost certainly are aware, driving while intoxicated is illegal in New York. Under New York law, a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher qualifies a person as intoxicated. Although it varies from person to person depending on a variety of factors, a BAC of .08 could be reached if a 160 pound man consumed between three and four drinks in an hour.

If you are arrested and convicted of drunk driving in New York, your penalty will depend on a number of factors, including whether you have had previous DWIs in New York. If the DWI conviction is your first, you will face a fine of between $500 and $1,000, a maximum of a year in jail, and your driver’s license will be suspended for at least six months.

However, if you are facing a second DWI the penalties go up. The fine is between $1,000 and $5,000, the maximum jail term is four years, and your driver’s license will be revoked for at least a year. For a third DWI, the fine is between $2,000 and $10,000, the maximum jail term is seven years, and your driver’s license will be revoked for at least a year, although it could be revoked permanently. There are also additional penalties associated with driving while intoxicated that depend on the circumstances involved in your case, including whether you are a commercial driver, whether drugs were also involved, whether anyone was hurt in an accident, and whether you have a child in the vehicle.

Although you may consider a DWI conviction as minor, DWIs are not minor. The loss of a driver’s license, a large fine, and jail time are all likely. A DWI can also make it hard to find a job in certain industries. If you are facing DWI charges in New York, call the New York DWI Defense Attorneys at Friedman & Ranzenhofer at 585-484-7432. Our attorneys will help you fight the charges or to negotiate a plea bargain. Call us today to learn more.