New York DWI Statistics

Arrests for driving while intoxicated (DWI) in the state of New York in 2008 were down by 3 percent from the previous year, after going up for each of the five previous years, according to the state's Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) adult arrest records.

Records show 51,471 DWI arrests in 2008, down from 53,343 in 2007. The biggest increase in the six-year period was 7.26 percent from 2003 (46,274) to 2004 (49,632). The rate of increase slowed for the next three years: 2.93 percent in 2005, 2.76 percent in 2006, and 1.61 percent in 2007.

DWI Convictions Result in Fines, License Suspension, maybe Jail Time

The New York Division of Motor Vehicles lists DWI penalties on its frequently asked questions page. There is some discretion allowed to the courts, but the basic penalty for a first-time DWI offender is a fine of $500 to $1,000, up to a year in jail, and a minimum one-year suspension of driving privileges. A second offense can result in a fine of $1,000 to $5,000, up to four years in jail, and a minimum 18-month license suspension. A third offense can bring a fine of up to $10,000 and jail time of up to seven years.

The basic penalty structure assumes simple DWI, with a blood alcohol content (BAC) above 0.08 percent but not more than 0.17 percent; a BAC of 0.18 percent is considered aggravated DWI, which results in increased penalties.

Consult a Drunk Driving Defense Lawyer

If you have been arrested for DWI, you need to enlist the services of an experienced attorney. Being sentenced to jail can seriously damage your reputation, and losing your driving privileges can make getting to work and making a living very difficult. You need help to ensure that the state is meeting its burden of proof. If you're convicted, your attorney will fight to ensure that the penalties incurred are appropriate to the circumstances of your case.