While plenty of people would call certain criminal charges ‘minor’, the fact is that when you’re facing any kind of criminal charge, it won’t feel that minor at all. Instead, you might experience tremendous stress, concern, and more as a result of your charges. Being charged with a DWI is something that is incredibly serious, even though it’s sadly a very common issue.
Mistakes happen, and if you find yourself facing a DWI, your mistake could cost you significantly. Understanding more about this charge and your defense options is important.
First, it’s worth knowing what potential penalties you might face as a result of a DWI. These include:
- Jail time of up to 7 years, though in most cases this is only for repeat offenses
- Loss of your driver’s license for a set period of time
- Much higher automobile insurance rates for years
- High financial fines that can easily reach several thousand dollars
There is also a bit of a stigma associated with this crime, and being convicted could change the way that friends and co-workers perceive you – it could even cause you to lose your job if you work in specific sectors that require clean driving records or criminal histories.
Unlike some other criminal charges, DWIs are almost always settled with a plea agreement wherein the suspect pleads guilty and receives a lesser sentence. And while this is a good path to take due to the usually overwhelming amount of evidence against a suspect, it’s not always the case.
A good DWI lawyer in New York could actually manage to get charges dropped or prove your innocence. This is primarily dependent on a number of factors, but at its heart the focus is on proving that a DWI arrest was made improperly. This might include:
- Improperly calibrated breathalyzer equipment
- Illegal stop
- Failure to read suspect their rights
- Other improper actions by the officers
In certain cases, evidence could prove that your charges must be dropped. In others, a plea agreement might be your best option. Either way, it’s important that you speak to an attorney to find out more about which path is the right one for you to take. They’ll help explain to you what steps are viable and which ones aren’t, and will help defend you or negotiate a good plea agreement for you. A DWI is serious, and can impact your life for years. Getting the help you deserve is a must.