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The penalties faced for NY drunk driving offenses

Being accused of drunk driving is no small thing. A criminal conviction on one of the many criminal offenses related to drunk driving can negatively affect an individual’s life for years to come. Jail, prison and fines may all be real potential penalties, and a conviction can cause severe damage to one’s reputation. Fortunately, there may be criminal defense options available to those who are accused of these crimes, but the first step to crafting a compelling legal strategy is to be aware of the law. We hope this post proves informative in that regard.

New York has a number of drunk driving-related laws. These laws are divided up based on a number of factors. For example, the level of intoxication may increase or decrease the severity of a charged offense, as, too, will the accused individual’s criminal history. For example, a first time DWI conviction could result in up to a year in jail with a fine of up to $1,000 and a license revocation for at least six months, a third DWI can leave a convicted individual facing up to seven years in jail, $10,000 in fines and license revocation for at least a year.

Aggravated DWIs are those that involve blood-alcohol content levels that are above 0.18 percent. A first conviction for this offense can result in penalties that include a one year license revocation and a year in jail, in addition to up to $2,500 in fines. A second DWI conviction can leave a person facing up to four years in jail and $5,000 in fines. He or she may also wind up with a license revocation for at least a year and a half.

A quick glance at these facts shows that there is often a lot at stake when being accused of drunk driving. For this reason, accused individuals need to ensure that they are protecting their legal rights and doing everything they can to weaken the prosecution’s case. To learn more about how to do so, these defendants can discuss their case with a qualified criminal defense attorney.

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James L. Riotto
Criminal Defense Lawyer

James L. Riotto is an accomplished criminal defense attorney serving clients in New York. With an extensive background in law enforcement and criminal prosecution, his approach to each case is unique and informed by years of experience with the New York criminal justice system. As a graduate from Albany Law School and before going on to start his own practice, James worked at the Albany County District Attorney's Office, where he helped prosecute many DWI offenses. His inside knowledge of the tactics used to gain convictions provides him with a particular advantage when defending against DUI and other criminal charges.

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Adam D. Staier
Of Counsel

About Attorney Adam Staier has spent the last seven years practicing criminal defense law throughout upstate New York and the Capital Region. He began his legal career through internships in civil law, indigent legal representation and federal energy law regulation. Finding a passion in criminal law, Mr. Staier held internships handling both prosecution and defense…

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William M. Swift
Associate Attorney

About William M. Swift is an associate attorney at the Law Office of James L. Riotto and brings 20 years of experience to our clients. His practice focuses on personal injury cases and criminal matters. He has successfully represented individuals in felony, misdemeanor cases. Additionally, he has extensive knowledge in DMV administrative proceedings involving suspensions…

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