When someone in Hauppauge is pulled over, arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, he or she may not realize just how serious of a situation he or she is in. New York’s DWI laws are particularly harsh and drunk driving penalties are more than just fines or the risk of jail time; they also include driver’s license suspensions.

According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, if someone is convicted of DWI, he or she will lose his or her license for at least six months. This is a minimum and, depending on the circumstances of the incident and arrest, an individual could lose his or her license for even longer, even if it is only a first-time offense. In fact, if someone is convicted of a second or subsequent DWI, he or she could lose his or her license for a year or longer.

For individuals who depend on their licenses, which many of us on Long Island do, a suspended license can be inconvenient at the least and disastrous at the most. Not being able to drive could affect work and social life, it could disrupt children’s schedules, and it can also make running a home much more difficult.

A conviction for DWI also comes with a criminal record. While a conviction for DWI may not be as off-putting as other crimes, there are still many employers who may be reluctant to hire people with these kinds of convictions. Even if an individual was convicted of drunk driving five years ago, some employers are reticent to trust people with criminal records.

So, for anyone who thinks a conviction for DWI is relatively minor, think again.

Source: The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, “Penalties for alcohol or drug-related violations,” accessed May 29, 2014