People in New York State who are dealing with drunk driving charges must be cognizant of the penalties they will face if they are convicted. In many cases, there are allegations of multiple offenses. These can exponentially increase the potential punishments. For example, if the person is stopped and has children under 16 in the vehicle, it can rise to a felony drunk driving charge. With the long-term consequences that come with a conviction for DWI, having legal assistance from an attorney who understands how these cases are prosecuted can be integral to a defense.
A woman was placed under arrest on several charges related to driving under the influence after a traffic stop. According to law enforcement, the 30-year-old was on a bridge when she made an illegal U-turn. She was mistakenly going over a bridge that was going toward Canada. After she made the U-turn, New York State Police stopped her vehicle. She was believed to have been under the influence. She also had two children in the vehicle. She was given a breath test and it registered a blood-alcohol content of 0.15 percent. She was placed under arrest for violating Leandra’s Law. Driving under the influence with a child under the age of 16 is a Class E felony and that is what she is charged with. She also faces charges for DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 percent or higher.
Being charged with DWI under any circumstances can be a frightening experience. When the charges are raised to the level of a felony, it is even worse. Drivers must be aware of their right to defend themselves against these charges. There are numerous ways to achieve a successful outcome in a case. Law enforcement is often overzealous in its attempts to catch drivers who are believed to be under the influence and might initiate a stop without reason. The BAC test could have been flawed. It is important to remember that a DWI conviction can lead to jail, fines, the loss of driving privileges and more. Defending against the charges is a must.
A woman was stopped after making a U-turn on a bridge and was arrested for drunk driving. The charges have been exacerbated because she had children under 16 in the vehicle with her. Although the allegations are serious, there are options available such as a plea bargain, treatment and other alternatives. A lawyer who understands all aspects of providing defense against drunk driving charges should be contacted immediately when anyone is arrested for DWI.
Source: newyorkupstate.com, “Police: Woman made wrong turn on Peace Bridge while driving drunk with kids in car,” Ben Axelson, April 16, 2018
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