For those convicted of drunk driving charges, the penalties can include a fine, jail time and loss of driving privileges. As the recent arrest of a Long Island man demonstrates, drinking and driving after being convicted of a DUI charge can bring even harsher consequences.

A police officer pulled over a 2013 Kia for speeding on the Long Island Expressway at about 2:00 a.m. Upon checking the man’s driving record, the officer learned that the man had been convicted of a previous DUI offense and that his license had been restricted to operating a motor vehicle only if it is equipped with an ignition interlock device. He was also subject to a court order prohibiting him from consuming alcohol. To make matters much worse, the driver was subject to an outstanding warrant for committing the same offense in January 2015. He had also been issued seven tickets for various vehicle and traffic law offenses.

The man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, operating a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock device, and second degree criminal contempt for violation the court order prohibiting him from drinking alcohol. The driver was arraigned, but his plea to the various charges has not been disclosed.

This driver has obviously compounded the consequences of his first DWI conviction. If convicted (or if he pleads guilty), he will face more severe penalties and possible incarceration. Anyone who has been charged with a DUI or DWI offense, whether it’s a first offense or a second, may wish to consult an attorney who specializes in defending such cases. Such a consultation can clarify the possible consequences of the charges and provide an estimate of the likelihood of achieving a favorable plea bargain or an outright acquittal.

Source: Patch.com, “Police: Man With Revoked License Drives Drunk on LIE Without Interlock Device,” Paige McAtee, July 3, 2015