Being arrested on a driving while intoxicated (DWI) charge can be a life-changing event, even before you face the possibility of a plea or conviction at trial. Aside from facing the risk of imprisonment or fines, there are numerous possible consequences that can arise as a result of a DWI conviction. And if you’re facing down a DWI charge, it’s important to know what will happen if you plead guilty or get convicted at trial.
One of the first and most important consequences you’ll need to face when it comes to a DWI is with respect to your ability to drive. If you’re convicted of a DWI, you can expect to have your license suspended for six months or longer, during which time you can’t legally drive anywhere. Even with your license reinstated, however, you may also be forced to have an ignition interlock device placed in your vehicle, which will prevent you from being able to start it unless you blow into the breathalyzer attached to the device and register a blood-alcohol content lower than the legal limit.
There are other potential important factors to consider as well. Depending on the severity of the DWI offense, you can risk access to certain government benefits like Social Security or Medicare, at least while you’re jailed or imprisoned. A DWI conviction could also have an impact on your ability to maintain certain professional licenses, like a medical license or a license to practice law. If you aren’t a native-born citizen and haven’t been naturalized, your legal immigration status could also be imperiled by a DWI conviction.
If you are charged with a serious traffic-related criminal matter involving driving while impaired or distracted driving, it is important to seek legal representation immediately. The Long Island traffic and criminal defense lawyers at McGuire, Peláez & Bennett, PC are experienced in handling these cases and will fight vigorously on your behalf. For information or to schedule a consultation, contact our Suffolk County traffic lawyers at (631) 348-1702.
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