Any Bronx DWI Lawyer will tell you if you are driving a car in the Bronx while under the influence of alcohol, beware that, according to New York State law, any person who operates a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol with a BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) .08 or over is guilty of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). DWI Lawyers will advise their clients that driving a car has legally been interpreted to be as minimal as sitting in the car, with the keys in the ignition. Based on case law this is a violation of Section 1192, which is not covered by Penal (Criminal) Law but rather by the Vehicle and Traffic Law.

Most people are unaware that New York State has deemed driving as a privilege, rather than a right. For example, when you drive in the Bronx, you automatically consent to following the rules of the road, including DWI Laws. If you are legally stopped, you are subject to cooperating with authorities, which may mean taking a Breathalyzer test. If you are charged and convicted of a DWI / DWAI, you are in jeopardy of losing both your personal freedom and right to drive in New York, which is why it is so important to have a serious and skilled Bronx DWI Lawyer from Stephen Bilkis and Associates to protect and defend your interests. Drivers can face serious penalties including loss of license, employment, fines, probation and even jail time. Any Bronx DWI Lawyer will tell you that a DWI / DUI / DWAI conviction in New York State carries a permanent criminal record and this cannot be expunged. As mentioned above, this may impact future employment opportunities and auto insurance costs. If you are caught Driving While Intoxicated in the Bronx, you will need a skilled and aggressive Bronx DWI Lawyer to defend your rights. Each DWI case is fact sensitive which is why it is important to contact a Bronx DWI Lawyer in our office for a free consultation, to discuss the specifics of your case. The Law Firm offers defendants in DWI cases a free consultation with a Bronx DWI Lawyer from our office. Sentencing for first time misdemeanor offenders can range from mandatory fines of $500 to $1,000, the possibility of up to a year in jail and a suspended drivers license for six months. If you are convicted of a felony DWI for a second time, within a 10-year period, the mandatory fines will increase to $1,000 to $5,000 and the prison term can be up to four years. When a third offense is committed within that time period, fines can reach up to $10,000, along with a prison term of seven years and permanent license revocation. However, any driver under the age of 21 driving with a minimum of 0.02 BAC are in violation of the zero tolerance law can lose their license for six months and must pay hundreds of dollars in fines.

If you have been charged with a DWI in the Bronx, call a Bronx DWI Defense Lawyer at Stephen Bilkis and Associates at 1-800-NY-NY-LAW (1-800-696-9529) or contact us online for a free consultation. Stephen Bilkis and Associates have skilled and experienced Criminal DWI Defense Attorneys that will guide you through your DWI case and may help you avoid having your license suspended and even possible jail time. We have many locations in the New York City metropolitan area including: The Bronx, Brooklyn, NY (Manhattan), Queens, Westchester and Long Island, including Nassau County and Suffolk County.