Felony DWI can Result in Painful, Long-Lasting Penalties
If you already have a DWI conviction on your record, a second DWI convicted will become a felony DWI. A felony DWI comes with greater fines, the possibility of jail time and loss of license.
December 17, 2010
An Attica man recently arrested for felony DWI faces a variety of severe penalties, if convicted. Roland Reed, 40, has two prior DWI convictions and had no valid driver's license at the time of his arrest in mid-October.A DWI is elevated in New York from misdemeanor status to a felony if a person has been convicted of a DWI within the past 10 years.
After a first DWI offense, a driver faces stiff penalties and fines: up to a year in jail, license revocation of at least one year and a fine ranging from $500 to $1,000.
Escalating Penalties After DWI Conviction
The penalties are much harsher for a felony DWI conviction:
- A second conviction for driving while intoxicated on alcohol or drugs means a possible jail sentence of up to four years, a loss of license of at least one year and a fine up to $5,000;
- A third DWI conviction can mean up to seven years in jail, a loss of driving privileges for at least a year and a fine of up to $10,000.
Three or more alcohol- or drug-related DWIs within 10 years can mean a permanent revocation of a driver's license. (A waiver of the revocation can be requested after a minimum of five years.)
A New DWI Felony
Beginning this past August, harsher penalties were added to New York's DWI statutes. Known as Leandra's Law, the new Class E felony provides that no one can drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs while a child age 15 or under is in the vehicle.
In another change under Leandra's Law, anyone convicted of DWI must have an ignition interlock device installed for at least six months in all vehicles they wish to operate.
Preventing Damage to Your Life
To learn more about the consequences of a felony DWI conviction in New York, contact an experienced DWI attorney who understands not only the painful penalties of DWI, but also the many negative consequences that go with a conviction, including significantly higher auto insurance rates and long-lasting harm to a person's reputation and career. Contact a DWI lawyer for an evaluation of your case and legal options.
Article provided by Larkin Axelrod Ingrassia & Tetenbaum LLP
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