Hudson Valley DUI: Randall Inniss

Put simply, no one wants to face DUI charges. Regardless of the facts of your particular case, the entire process of getting a DUI—from the moment you’re stopped by the police to the moment your case is resolved—can be harrowing. These cases can escalate incredibly quickly, and suddenly a moment’s miscalculation—perhaps one too many drinks before leaving the office holiday party, or assuming you could make it home after a night out with friends instead of shelling out the money for an Uber or a Lyft—becomes an irrevocable mistake with potentially lifelong consequences.

What Are The Potential Penalties For A DWI/DUI In Hudson Valley, New York?

New York State, in keeping with its toughness on DWI/DUIs, has rather steep statutory sentencing for DWI/DUI convictions, which are enhanced based on the defendant’s DWI/DUI history as well as the circumstances of the case. Generally, they are as follows:

First Conviction DWI: For a first conviction, a defendant can face:
- Fines of up to $1,000
- License revocation for up to 6 months
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Installation of an ignition interlock device

Second Conviction DWI: For a second conviction, a defendant can face:
Fines of up to $5,000
License revocation for up to 1 year (if your prior DWI was within the past 10 years)
Up to 4 years in jail (with a mandatory minimum of 5 days in jail if your prior DWI was within the past 5 years)
Installation of an ignition interlock device

Third Conviction DWI: For a third conviction, which is a Class D felony, a defendant can face:
- Fines of up to $10,000
- Permanent license revocation (if your prior DWI was within the past 4 years)
- Up to 10 years in jail (with a mandatory minimum of 10 days if your prior DWI was within the past 5 years)
- Installation of an ignition interlock device

DWI charges can be elevated to Aggravated DWI (or AGG DWI) if you had a BAC of .18% or higher at the time of arrest, which is over twice the legal limit.

For a first conviction, a defendant can face fines (up to $2,500 for a first offense; up to $5,000 for a second), license revocation (at least 1 year for a first offense; at least 18 months for a second), jail time (up to 1 year for a first offense, up to 4 years for a second), and the installation of an ignition interlock device.

The consequences for a DWI in Hudson Valley, NY are not limited to those given out by a criminal court. If you are convicted of a DWI, especially a felony DWI, some of the extralegal consequences you may face include:

Civil lawsuits for damages
Social and cultural stigma
Negative impact on relationships and reputation
Professional consequences (i.e., not getting jobs due to your conviction showing up on background checks, being disqualified from certain fields and professional licensures, and potentially being fired from your job)
Immigration complications for undocumented immigrants and applicants with open immigration cases
Disqualification from receiving certain benefits (such as, in some cases, the right to live in public housing)

DWI charges are serious, but they do not have to completely derail your life. If you or a loved one is facing DWI charges in Hudson Valley, New York, Attorney Randall Inniss at The Inniss Firm, PLLC, is here to help. Having spent 22 years as a NY State Trooper, Attorney Inniss has the insider knowledge necessary to help you beat your charges and move on with your life. Reach out today for a free consultation on your case.

Hudson Valley DUI: Randall Inniss