August 16, 2009
/24-7PressRelease/ --
A Very Expensive Night Out
Article provided by Greenspan & Greenspan
Visit us at
www.greenspans-law.com/
Few people take the time to consider how much their evening out on the town may end up costing them if they should decide to get behind the wheel of a car after having a few drinks.
A conviction for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in New York is estimated to cost up to $9500 - and this is for a first time conviction!
The fines for a DWI conviction vary depending on the age of the driver, whether the driver has any previous convictions and the driver's blood alcohol content (BAC). Generally, a driver with a BAC between 0.08 and 0.17 will have to pay a fine between
$500-$1000. If the driver's BAC was 0.18 or greater, the driver is charged with the more serious crime of
aggravated DWI and may be fined between
$1000-$2500.
New York also has a
zero tolerance law. Drivers under 21 are not permitted to operate a vehicle with any alcohol in their systems. Underage drivers caught driving a car with a BAC between 0.02 and 0.07 may receive a
minimum $125 fine.
Other expenses associated with a DWI conviction include:
- Driver Responsibility Assessment fees ($250 per year for 3 years)
- Surcharges and other fees
- Attorney's fees
- Driver's license reinstatement fees
- Alcohol assessment and treatment program expenses
- Victim impact panel fees
- Vehicle towing and impoundment costs
- Public transportation costs (estimate necessary to show qualification to obtain a hardship privilege, helpful information at
www.beelinebus.com and
www.mta.info/mnr/)
- Increased insurance premiums
One of the most expensive costs associated with a DWI are the increased auto insurance rates. Some insurers will not offer coverage to a driver who has been convicted of a drunk driving charge, forcing those who have been convicted of a DWI to find a new insurance company offering coverage to high risk drivers.
Auto insurance rates are not the only insurance rates that will increase. Homeowner, life insurance, health insurance, disability and umbrella policies also may increase as a result of the DWI as well as the insurance rates for other types of motor vehicles, including boats and motorcycles.
The Costs Are Not Just Monetary
A DWI conviction costs more than just money. A drunk driving charge has the potential to impact nearly every area of a person's life.
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License revocation: Those receiving their first conviction for a DWI can expect to have their license revoked for a minimum of 6 months. In some circumstances, they may be able to receive a conditional driver's license, which will give them restricted driving privileges during the revocation period. Conviction for DWI may result in a person being placed on three years probation. A person on probation may not apply for a conditional license without the permission of the probation officer. Drivers may also be required to have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicles at their expense in order to receive the conditional driver's license.
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Employment: A drunk driving conviction can prevent someone from obtaining certain types of employment or may result in the person losing their job. Depending on the type of job, employees may be required to notify their employer of the drunk driving charge within a certain amount of time. Employees also may have to miss significant time from work for court dates, alcohol treatment and/or jail time.
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Education: Applicants to certain educational programs may be required to disclose whether or not they have ever been convicted for a DWI. Depending on the type of program, the applicant may have his or her application denied because of the conviction. Those applying for professional licenses will have to disclose their conviction for DWI. The conviction may well result in negative consequences when the application is considered by the licensing authority.
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Child custody: A DWI conviction may impact a parent's rights to custody of their children especially if the parent is involved in an ongoing custody dispute with their spouse. The conviction may be used as a factor against a parent to show that it is not in the child's best interests for the parent to have primary or joint custody.
There is also the
social stigma of being considered a drunk driver. Society looks harshly on those who have been convicted of drunk driving and the laws penalizing this behavior become stricter each year.
It is imperative that drivers remember that the legal blood alcohol limit in New York is 0.08 - not when a person "feels" drunk or "thinks" they are intoxicated. Depending on a person's gender, weight, tolerance level and other factors, it may only take a couple of drinks before he or she has reached the legal limit and is too impaired to drive under the law.
Getting the Help You Need
Everyone makes mistakes. The law, however, does not view drunk driving as a one-time mistake and severally punishes those convicted of a DWI. With the help of an experienced attorney, you may be able to limit the impact of these charges on the rest of your life. If you think you may need help treating an alcohol and/or drug addiction, there are local treatment centers in Westchester and Rockland counties that can help you, such as Saint Vincent's Hospital Medical Center Alcoholism Outpatient Clinic (
www.svcmc.org), Stop DWI New York (stopdwi.org/content/) and Daytop (
www.daytop.org/). An attorney can also assist you in getting the professional help you need. Don't be afraid to ask for Help!
Article provided by Greenspan & Greenspan
Visit us at
www.greenspans-law.com/---
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