DWI or DUI Court Referral Programs in New York

If you have been pulled over and arrested for a drinking and driving offense in New York there are a few things that you can do to help stay out of jail and hopefully, avoid a life-changing DUI conviction. Depending on the type of charges you have, you may be required to complete a DWI or DUI Court Referral Program in New York. These deferment programs usually last between 12 and 24 months, with an average program lasting around 18 months. The program is tailored to the person’s particular case, and for drug possession cases, it may include substance abuse counseling, detox, and evaluation. This option of a drug court program is called “deferred sentencing.” You must plead guilty to a criminal charge to get started. You will then enter a court-designated drug or alcohol treatment program for one to two years. Drunk driving offenders in New York may be required to participate in a drug and alcohol screening to identify substance use disorder (SUD) either as part of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Impaired Driver Program (IDP) or by court order. After completing a screening, people who are found to be at risk for developing a substance use disorder are referred for a comprehensive clinical assessment. People who live in New York State are referred for an assessment must choose an OASAS-approved provider. Based on your assessment results, completion of a treatment program may be required.

A DUI or DWI conviction in New York is not something to be taken lightly. It can have serious life-altering consequences far-reaching into many areas of your life. We have helped thousands of people over the years avoid significant jail time, fines, and license revocation periods. Getting help for underlying alcohol addiction will help the courts determine if you are taking full responsibility for driving under the influence and breaking the law. Call us today and let us help you with your drinking and driving arrest and help you find an alcohol recovery program. Addiction No More ® can not give legal advice however if you are looking for rehabilitation for addiction we can help you find treatment in your area or anywhere in the country. Give us a call today and we can help. 

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What to do if you have been arrested for drinking and driving in New York

Drinking and driving in New York can be a serious offense and the consequences can have life-changing outcomes. If you have been pulled over, make sure that you know your rights and remain courteous at all times. Being compliant and courteous can affect the outcome of the court’s layout as punishment.

Driving under the influence: Driving under the influence (DUI) Driving while intoxicated (DWI) and operating a motor vehicle under the influence (OUI). These are the common terms used to describe operating a motorized vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In New York, driving while intoxicated is considered a misdemeanor and is subject to the state’s laws regarding driving while drunk.

DWI/DUI diversion rehabs in New York are very familiar with the court-mandated treatment requirements that the courts have imposed for their Court-ordered alcohol rehab centers. Some court-ordered DUI deferment programs will include alcohol evaluations and at the very least, alcohol and drug classes for first-time offenders. This can cost anywhere from $1000-2500 dollars with the fines, not including lawyer fees and bail.

If this is your second offense, getting involved in a treatment program for alcohol abuse will not only help your ongoing DWI-DUI case but benefit you as well. You should always enter into an alcohol treatment program knowing that there is a need for a change before something worse happens. Driving and Drinking can cost you your life or even worse someone else life. Treatment programs in New York for criminal justice clients will work with the court system to handle all the requirements for treatment to be considered time served. Once all the financial consequences are paid by the defendant and community service is completed if any, New York district courts may terminate the probation period.

Driving under the influence can damage many people’s lives other than yourself. Getting treatment for your alcohol dependency can help you understand that the risks of drinking and driving heavily outweigh the rewards. Sometimes, all it takes is to talk to someone who has had the burden of having someone die due to their alcohol consumption and driving under the influence. Our counselors are ready to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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DUI First-Offender and Diversion Programs

When you get your first DWI or DUI, you will be fined between $500 and $1,000. You may be sentenced to one year in jail, though there is still no required minimum sentence. Your driver’s license will be suspended for at least six months, though you may be eligible for a conditional license. The installation of an Ignition Interlock Device in your vehicle will be required.

The laws are different in each state for DWI offenses that allow for deferment programs instead of jail time. Some states, depending on the circumstances, will mandate treatment and community service. Some of these mandates can be handled while in treatment for alcohol abuse. New York has a deferment program for first-time DWI offenders as long as there are no injuries, accidents, or drugs involved. If you have been arrested for your second DWI/DUI in New York, it is highly recommended that you give us a call to find out your options for a deferment program instead of jail time. This will help with the possible consequences that the courts may impose on you. Drinking and driving can have serious outcomes including vehicular homicide, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and other very serious charges. When a minor is involved, there are more serious outcomes that the courts in New York can impose on the offender. If there has been an accident or death due to drinking and driving there will be significant jail time imposed as well as the knowledge that your indulgence cost someone their life.

Drinking and driving penalties in New York

First Offense: First driving while intoxicated ticket varies depending on the BAC level at the time of the incident higher BAC will result in more severe penalties in the state of New York. 1st time DWI convictions can result in a period of incarceration for up to one year, license revoked for a period of no less than 6 months, and can be over a year. The courts have the option to court order an interlock ignition device installed on the defendant’s vehicle for a period to be determined by the courts. Fines for the first driving while intoxicated infraction will be at least $1000 at the discretion of the presiding judge.

Second Offense: 2nd DUI conviction in New York within 10 years of a prior conviction will face up to 4 years in prison, driving privileges revoked for a period of at least one year up to 18 months. fines for the second DWI can range in cost from $1,000 up to $5,000.

Third Offense: 3rd DWI/DUI conviction within 10 years of a prior conviction will have the following consequences. 3rd conviction and the courts can incarcerate you for a period of no more than 10 years. Depending on the time between offenses and other circumstances the individual may or may not have their driving privileges permanently revoked. Fines can total $10,000 with a minimum fine of $2,000

New York has specific drinking and driving laws and penalties for people who have been convicted of a DUI/DWI. There are minimum and maximum fines and penalties that are at the discretion of the judge and prosecuting attorney depending on many different factors and circumstances surrounding the case.

Find Deferred Prosecution Rehabs Near Me

We can help you locate treatment for addiction in your area or anywhere in the country. To locate AA meetings, group meetings, 12-step programs, inpatient treatment, or outpatient services in your town give us a call. There are many options for drug rehab services in many cities in New York.

Albany, New York Alcohol Rehabs
Buffalo, NY Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Lancaster, New York Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation
Long Beach, NY Substance Abuse Alcohol Treatment
Niagra Falls, New York 30/90-Day Treatment Centers
Syracuse, NY Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Programs
Yonkers, New York Treatment Centers for Addiction

Treatment for alcoholism in place of jail time in New York is a very common outcome for those seeking help to end their addictions. If you have an open DWI case in New York, call us and we can help you locate a deferment program in your county that works with DUI and DWI offenders. We can help you find the best rehab center for alcohol misuse today. Addiction No More ® is an Addiction Treatment Center locator service. For immediate service, please call one of our counselors 24/7.

Sources

Drug Treatment Courts NY
Impaired Drivers Program
Penalties for Drinking And Driving in New York State
Drug Court Requirements

Erik Epp – Content Author