A DWI changes your future the moment you’re convicted. It can start affecting you as soon as the initial arrest, making it hard to get to work or forcing you to miss time from school or work due to court dates.
A DWI can be issued if you’re drunk while driving, impaired by illicit drugs or if you’re driving dangerously due to prescription drug interactions. Regardless of the reason for impairment, if you are impaired, you’re a danger to yourself and others. A significant level of impairment is what the police look for, and it’s what they want to hold you accountable for.
When can you face DWI charges?
It is most common to face a DWI charge is driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. However, you can be charged with the crime if you’re driving with a lower BAC and appear impaired. For example, if your BAC reads .05 percent but you are driving dangerously, there is still a chance that you could face a DWI charge, though the officer may need to provide more proof for the prosecution to have a solid case.
New York has several different charges it can file against you. These may include:
- Driving while intoxicated
- Driving while ability impaired (alcohol)
- Aggravated driving while intoxicated
- Chemical test refusal
- Zero tolerance law
- Driving impaired by a single drug
- Driving while impaired by combined influences
No matter which charges you face, it’s important to have someone on your side to help you learn more about your options. A strong defense will help you protect yourself.
