If you’ve been charged with a DWI, you probably have a lot of questions on your mind right about now. How serious are the charges against me? What’s the worst sentence I could receive? Will I go to jail? Is there any way for me to reduce the charges against me?
The good news is that in some circumstances, a DWI can be reduced in New York. A defendant can potentially reduce a DWI/DUI conviction to a lesser DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) conviction through a plea agreement. This article will take a look at what’s involved in a DWAI charge (as opposed to a more severe DWI/DUI) and how you might be able to get the plea deal process started.
A DWI can potentially be reduced in NY to a DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired). While a DWI is a misdemeanor, and therefore a criminal charge, a DWAI is considered a violation, which is not a crime. This means it’s unlikely to have the negative long-term consequences that a DWI would have.
DWAI is not a misdemeanor, it is a violation. As a violation, a DWAI can still lead to as much as 15 days in jail and up to $500 in fines. However, that’s a lot less than the $1,000 fine, license suspension, and potential for a year in jail that come with a first-time DWI conviction.
So the answer to “can a DWI be reduced in NY” is: yes. Under some circumstances, a DWI can be reduced. Now, how can a DWI be reduced in NY? Let’s take a look.
A DWI charge can sometimes be reduced to a DWAI if a plea bargain can be worked out. If you’re wondering how to get DWI reduced in NY, ask your criminal defense attorney if you are eligible for a plea bargain reducing the charge to a violation. You will be more likely to be offered a plea bargain if there are no aggravating factors associated with your cases, such as a prior DWI arrest, high blood alcohol level, or an accident, to name a few. You will need to discuss the specifics of your case with your attorney.
In a plea bargain, the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for having the more severe charge dropped. A plea bargain is a binding arrangement usually undertaken when neither the prosecution nor the defense wants to risk taking the case to trial.
An experienced DWI attorney will understand the process of pleading down a DWI in NY. An attorney may attempt to dismiss the charges against you before engaging in any process that could lead to a plea deal.
It goes without saying that you should never accept a plea agreement if you are innocent of the DWI charge. But if you were intoxicated by alcohol, or impaired by drugs when you drove, you should consider talking to your attorney about your plea bargain options.
Since 2014, the Law Office of Michael D. Litman has been representing the criminal defense needs of the citizens of White Plains, Westchester County, and the New York Metro area. With attorney Michael Litman defending his clients since 2007, we have the knowledge and the experience to help with all your DWI charges.
If you have questions or need to set up a consultation, contact us online or call us today at (914) 268-6855. Our firm will work with you from the arraignment all the way through the trial.
In 2021, according to statistics from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, there were about 21,624 misdemeanor and 3,757 felony DWI arrests statewide. In New York State, motorists are prohibited from operating a vehicle while intoxicated, ability impaired, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If you find yourself facing drug charges in Westchester County, New York, or its surrounding areas, it's important to be well-informed about your legal rights and the legal process. The Law Office of Michael D. Litman, PLLC is here to provide honest, trustworthy, and collaborative legal counsel to help you navigate this challenging situation.
