Nassau Criminal Defense and Traffic Attorney
- Nassau Defense Attorney 250 Fulton Avenue, Suite 340 Hempstead, NY 11550
- 516-633-4879
Nassau Criminal Defense and Traffic Attorney
You may or may not have been charged or convicted for DWI, but you may still want to find out what would happen if you find yourself in the situation of being found by the police while under the influence of alcohol. These are 5 things you need to know if you are DWI (driving while intoxicated).
If you are pulled aside by the police, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First and foremost is to keep calm and be polite and be cooperative with the police officers. At the same time, you are not obligated to answer questions such as how much you have had to drink, and you do not have to take a sobriety test. However, if you refuse to take a sobriety test the Department of Motor Vehicles will most likely administer penalties.
2. The Charge is Permanent
If you are convicted for the first time for DWI you will be given a permanent criminal conviction. In many instances, this criminal record will not be taken away after a certain period of time, it is going to always be there. Normally, if you are a first timer and this is your first offense, you can be given community service and fines instead of spending time in jail. Even though community service will keep you out of jail, you will still have to undertake a series of tests, go to a counselor to prove you are not addicted and the judge might require for you to have an ignition interlock installed on the car for a certain period of time, which might also require you to pay extra fees. In the state of New York, if this is your first criminal offense your license will be suspended for 6 months and the minimum fine is $500 along with surcharges.
3. Attorney Fee’s Are Based on Facts & Circumstances of The Case
The cost of a lawyer is always hard to predetermine as this is determined by the case’s own facts and circumstances. After the attorney has looked over all the facts and circumstances, the attorney will give you an option whether the case should be worked out as a plea or a trial. If it is worked out as a plea, then the fees would normally be lower, but if it is worked out as a trial the fees would typically be higher.
4. Can Take Up To A Year To Resolve
The timeline, like the cost of a lawyer is again set by its facts and circumstances, as every case is unique. Usually, a DWI case would take from 2 to 4 months to resolve. However, if the case and set of facts are complicated the case can take up to a year to be resolved.
5. It’s Not Just Alcohol
Substances that can convict you for a DWAI are not only restricted to alcohol. You can also be charged for it is you are operating a vehicle after consuming legal or illegal drugs. These can be illicit, prescription, or over the counter drugs.
Whether you or your loved ones have or have not done committed a DWI, you must understand the severity of it and that this can affect your life permanently.