Driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenses are often victimless crimes. Police officers will arrest people who fail chemical breath tests even if they did not cause a crash. Someone only needs to demonstrate impaired ability at the wheel or fail a breath test to be at risk of DWI charges.
The most severe penalties for DWI offenses include large fines and incarceration. However, there are many other consequences associated with a DWI conviction in New York. For example, someone who pleads guilty will often lose their driving privileges. Losing the ability to drive can affect someone’s career and their social life, as well as their finances.
The courts can suspend someone’s license
A motorist convicted of a DWI will likely face the temporary suspension of their driver’s license. Someone’s prior driving record will influence how long they lose their license, as will their blood alcohol concentration (BAC). DWI charges are possible when someone has a BAC of 0.08% or higher if they are an adult driving their own vehicle. However, the state can also pursue aggravated DWI charges if someone has a BAC of 0.18% or higher. The license revocation period is longer when a driver has a substantially elevated BAC.
Insurance costs increase after a conviction
Every time someone renews their insurance policy or gets a quote from a new company, the insurance provider conducts a check of someone’s driving record. Significant infractions will inevitably increase the premium that an insurance provider requires. Those with DWI infractions on their record are high risk for insurance purposes. They could potentially cause a severe crash in the future that would cost the company a lot of money. Therefore, drivers with a single DWI on their record can expect their premium to increase by an average of 57%. Those with repeat DWI offenses may sometimes lose their coverage and need to switch insurance providers.
The temporary loss of one’s license can be very inconvenient, and the lasting consequences of a DWI can make personal transportation much more expensive. Properly defending against DWI charges is one of the most effective ways of avoiding driving penalties related to allegations of drunk driving.