Long Island is the most heavily populated island in the country, and the millions who live here regularly rely on their vehicles to get them to and from their destinations. It’s easy to overlook just how much of an impact our cars and the freedom they provide can really give us – until you risk losing that freedom.
Those who are facing a DWI could suffer a tremendous range of consequences as a result of being found guilty, and while a Driving While Intoxicated charge is unfortunately one of the more common crimes in the New York court systems, it’s also one of the most serious.
Here are some of the ways that a DWI could impact your life.
- The most obvious is that you will likely lose your license for some time if found guilty. Even in plea deals where you receive lower punishments, losing driving privileges is very common. This can make it far more difficult to move through your daily life, and in some cases could mean that work is impossible – such as if you drive for work.
- You may also be fined heavily. Fees and fines can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, and will depend upon numerous variables involved in your case. These fines can be hard to pay for millions who struggle already with their finances.
- Jail time is rare, but it’s a possibility as well. This is mainly used when multiple past offenses are on your record or when you have done serious damage to others or their property, but it is important to understand that you could face a few months up to several years in jail as a result of your DWI.
- The biggest impact, however, is the criminal history you will now have. This criminal record can make it harder to be insured, to find employment, and much more. While a DWI isn’t as detrimental to your record as, say, armed robbery, bit is still something that can make it very difficult to move through your life normally.
Simply put, a DWI could influence every aspect of your life and make it far more difficult to get through your daily routine. It’s important that you do what you can to defend yourself against these charges. That means finding a good DWI attorney who can help identify whether or not you have a solid defense or if you should plead guilty for lesser penalties. In either situation, they can help ensure that you get better result and are able to move past your DWI.