New York Driving While Impaired/Intoxicated Law
In common with many other States, a DWI arrest in New York will lead to two cases being brought against the defendant, a criminal case and a Department of Motor Vehicles case. If you have been arrested for DWI in New York, you have limited time in order to apply for a hearing at the Department of Motor Vehicles in order to retain your driver's license. It is therefore essential that you contact a New York DWI lawyer as soon as possible.
Charges for DWI in New York can be prosecuted either on the basis of Blood Alcohol Concentration, which is currently set at a maximum of 0.08% or through proving impairment through “field sobriety tests”, driving patterns or through the testing of breath, blood or urine. A skilled DWI lawyer will be able to handle each of these situations. If your BAC is recorded as being over 0.15% you will face stiffer penalties under the more serious charge Driving While Intoxicated. Under 21's have a reduced BAC limit of 0.02%.
New York law allows you to contact a lawyer prior to taking a blood or breath test; however the arresting officer is under no obligation to wait for your lawyer to be present to actually administer the test.
| Conviction | Punishment |
| Driving While Impaired | Considered a “traffic infraction” and thus not a criminal act. Penalties include a minimum fine of $300 up to $500, a maximum of 15 days in jail. 90 suspension of license. |
| Second Driving While Impaired | Fine between $500 up to $750, 30 days in jail. 6 month license suspension. |
| Driving While Impaired - misdemeanor | Minimum fine $750 up to a maximum of $1500, up to 180 days in jail. 6 month license suspension |
| Driving While Intoxicated - misdemeanor | Fine of between $500 and $1000, up to 1 year in prison, 6 month license suspension. |
| Driving While Intoxicated - Felony | Fine between $1000 up to $5000, prison term between 1 year 3 months and 4 years, possible 5 year probation, revocation of license and attendance at a DWI School. |
Contact your Syracuse DUI lawyer
Contact your Albany DUI lawyer