Alternatives to Jail Time for DWI Offenders in New York

Driving While Intoxicated with alcohol is an offense punishable by the law. Besides the harm you can cause while driving in an inebriated state, the primary offense can land you in jail for a long time. Depending on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and the severity of your offense, you can spend between one to seven years in prison.

The consequences of a DWI charge extend beyond this, as a court conviction will permanently mark you as a criminal offender, thereby tainting your reputation. Hence, you’ll face the risk of losing opportunities whenever employers or licensing boards check your records. However, with the help of a legal professional, you can negotiate for a lesser sentence. Keep reading to discover five alternative penalties for DWI offenders.  

Community Service

If you are a first-time offender, the court may consider you for community service as opposed to jail time. However, this option might not work if you got into an accident while drunk driving or had high levels of alcohol in your blood, or possess a prior criminal record. But in the absence of these, you may be tasked to perform chores that are beneficial to the community.

The most common form of community service is often cleaning public spaces. Other tasks could be to support local charities or assist in setting up environmental projects or food drives. Your commitment to performing these tasks serves as proof of accountability and a means to impact your community positively. 

Financial Penalities

A successful plea agreement may result in the judge asking you to pay a certain sum of money as a fine. However, since the fine serves as a means to deter you from repeating the same mistake, it does not erase your offense.

As a result, you may suffer other consequences, like an increase in your insurance premium rate. It may also affect your eligibility for certain job roles if the DWI conviction remains on your driving record for a long time. 

Probation

Refusing to let the police perform a breathalyzer test is one of the common post-DWI arrest mistakes. Falling into this trap lessens your chances of the court accepting your guilty plea and granting probation.

However, if you get probation, you can go about your normal activities on the condition that you visit your probation officer at scheduled times. During this period, you must also act responsibly, avoid criminal activities, and substance use. 

Alcohol Education and Treatment Programs

While there are many ways to beat a DWI charge, they don’t guarantee you freedom without penalties. Avoid attempting to prolong the case with the hope of the prosecutor dropping your charges. Instead, partake in DWI education classes. If you have an addiction, the court may recommend counseling or rehabilitation through diversion programs. Depending on the agreement and your unique circumstances, the judge may reduce your charges or dismiss the case. 

House Arrest and Electronic Monitoring 

One alternative offer that a Nassau DWI attorney can help you secure is house arrest. This mode of reprimand involves your constantly staying indoors and under supervision. The police will attach a tracking bracelet to your ankle, which enables them to monitor your whereabouts to ensure you remain within your home. If you move beyond your confinement zone, the police will show up to enforce compliance. 

Endnote

Rather than serving jail time for a DWI offense, you can plead for a reduced sentence or an alternative penalty from the judge. Possible options include community service, fines, and probation. You can also partake in alcohol education programs or serve your sentence under house arrest.