What is a DWAI?

When a person is charged with Driving While Ability Impaired, they are facing serious consequences. New York State takes DWAI and any sort of driving under the influence of either drugs or alcohol very seriously. A DWAI is different from your standard driving while intoxicated charge because it can mean you are only impaired by a drug with no alcohol involved (DWAI/Drug). The other option for a DWAI is that you may be impaired by both alcohol and drugs, known as a DWAI/Combination offense. Any person who is charged with a severe crime such as these is facing severe penalties.

If you have been charged with any type of DWAI offense, you are facing a mandatory fine of anywhere between $500 and $1,000 as well as up to one year in jail. Additionally, your driver’s license will be suspended for a minimum of six months. If you have been charged with two DWAI-drug violations within a ten year period, you are facing a Class E felony. This conviction results in a mandatory fine of anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000, up to four years in jail, and a license revocation for a minimum of one year. A third violation in ten years will result in a fine between $2,000 and $10,000, a maximum of seven years in jail and a minimum of one year without a license.

If you are charged with a DWAI of any sort, you will need strong legal representation to work on fighting the charges. If convicted, you will face strong negative impacts for the rest of your life in regards to housing, jobs, and credit. Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney today who can help you fight these charges.

Kevin T. Conway has over 30 years of experience as a Spring Valley criminal attorney handling DUI, DWI, traffic violations, violent crimes, sex crimes, illegal gun possession, shoplifting, and juvenile crimes. If you need a Rockland County criminal lawyer, contact our Spring Valley office for a free consultation.