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Short- and long-lasting impacts of a DWI charge

On Behalf of | Jun 4, 2020 | DWI

Although it’s best to keep calm from the moment a traffic stop begins to the days leading up to your court date. It’s also important to take the time to understand that the results of a DWI charge can damage your personal and work life for many years to come.

Any criminal conviction can negatively impact your future. Below are common short- and long-term effects of a DWI charge.

License suspension

First offenders can face a driver’s license suspension for up to six months, and this length increases with consecutive DWI charges. An immediate result of not having a license, means you no longer have the luxury of taking yourself from place to place on your own schedule. Instead, you might have to carpool or seek out public transportation or rideshare options.

In the long run, if you have a job or want a job that requires you to have a driver’s license, then your charge could put a damper on your career goals. And if you try and drive with a suspended license and the law catches up with you, then you could face a whole new set of penalties, like jail time, fines and license revocation.

Criminal conviction

Having a stamp on your criminal record can also create problems in the near and far future. For example, if those close to you find out from your or from their own digging, then family and friends might treat you differently. And if you try and apply to a job or for new housing, your charge might impact an employer or landlord’s decision to let you in.

Even though there are standard punishments set for DWI charges in New York, the facts surrounding your stop and arrest are unique. As such, your attorney can help come up with a way to lessen the impact of a potential license suspension, a criminal charge and the fines surrounding your case.