New York DWI Laws

DWI Defense Attorneys in New York

Knowledgeable Lawyers for DWI Defendants

New York has a wide range of laws addressing driving while intoxicated (DWI) and other alcohol- and drug-related offenses. If you have been charged with any of the following offenses, call toll free 866-492-4306 or 315-350-3105 to talk to a New York DWI attorney who is knowledgeable about New York's DWI law.

• DWI first offense: A first-time conviction for DWI can leave you with a mandatory fine of at least $500, mandatory license suspension for six months, and up to a year in jail.
• DWI second offense: A second DWI conviction within 10 years is considered a felony and carries more serious potential consequences than a first-time conviction.
• Third and subsequent DWI offenses: The longer your record of DWI convictions is, the more serious are the potential consequences of another conviction.
• Driving while ability impaired (DWAI): If there is evidence that you were driving while impaired by alcohol, drugs or a combination of both, you can be charged with this crime.
• DWI and prescription drugs: Even if you have a valid prescription for a drug, you can be charged with a crime for driving while impaired by its effects.
• Misdemeanor DWI: Even if your DWI charge is considered a misdemeanor, you could still be facing some very serious consequences.
• Aggravated DWI: If you are charged with driving with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .18 or higher, the penalties may be much greater if you are convicted.
• Felony DWI: A second or subsequent DWI offense is considered a felony, which means you can be imprisoned for more than a year if you are convicted.
• Vehicular assault: If someone gets hurt in an accident and the police allege that you caused that accident by driving under the influence, you can be charged with vehicular assault.
• Vehicular homicide: This crime is the equivalent to vehicular assault if someone is actually killed in an accident that you are accused of causing.
• Zero tolerance law: If you are under 21, you can be penalized with a fine and license suspension for driving with a BAC of as low as .02.
• Leandra's Law: If you have been charged with DWI with a child under age 15 in the car, you could be facing harsh penalties, especially if the child was hurt or killed.
• Ignition interlock: Leandra's Law also requires anyone convicted of a DWI to have an interlock device installed on his or her vehicle to prevent another drunk driving episode.
• Implied consent: You may not have realized it, but from the moment you first drove on a public road in New York, you gave your consent in advance to taking a chemical test.
• Refusing the breath test: If you refuse to take the breath test, even if you are not convicted of DWI, the DMV can take away your driver's license for a year.
• Boating while intoxicated: The penalties for BWI are nearly as harsh as for driving drunk in a motor vehicle.

Recognized as Top DWI Lawyers in New York

Based in Syracuse, Anelli Xavier, PC, has a network of DWI lawyers throughout the state who stand ready to defend clients against New York drunk driving charges. Contact us today.