A Staten Island DWI Lawyer would agree that being charged with a DUI or DWI is never a pleasant experience. You are thrown into a world of legal terminology, court dates, and looking at very real penalties. The most important step you can take is to contact a Staten Island DWI Lawyer at your first opportunity. The sooner you obtain legal guidance, you can mount an aggressive defense strategy to address the charges against you, and ensure that your rights are protected at all times. Speak with a dedicated New York DWI Lawyer from our team at Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC as soon as possible.
In the State of New York, the definition of a DWI is set out in section 1192 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law. A DWI is defined as operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or more. Depending on the unique circumstances of your case, you can be charged with:
DWI: Operating a vehicle with a BAC of .08% or higher.
Aggravated DWI: Operating a vehicle with a BAC of .18% or higher.
DWAI: Operating a vehicle with a BAC of between .05%-.07%, or being otherwise impaired by a substance other than alcohol (drugs).
Depending on the particular charges, your penalties can include:
DWI: A DWI is a misdemeanor charge. If this is your first offense, you could be facing a maximum of one year in jail, a fine, and a suspension of your license for 6 months. If this is your second offense within the past 10 years, you can be charged with a Felony DWI. Because is it a felony, it can be permanently marked on your record. The penalties could be a maximum of one year in jail, and/or a fine, loss of your license for 12 months, and 3 years probation.
DWAI: A DWAI charge is considered a traffic infraction. The punishment for this offense is a maximum of 15 days in jail, and/or a fine, and a 90 day license suspension. If this is your second offense, punishments can include 90 days in jail, and/or a fine, and a 6 month license suspension.
Being charged with a DWI or related offense can be extremely difficult. It is important to take quick action and obtain the advice of an experienced New York DWI Attorney from Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC. We can aggressively defend your rights, and provide you with a free consultation with your first visit serving Westchester County as well as Nassau County and Suffolk County on Long Island. In New York City, we serve Staten Island, Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx and Brooklyn. Call us today at 800.696.9529.