DWI Lawyer

DWI Lawyer for NYC & Long Island Clients

As a trusted DWI lawyer for the greater NYC area, including Manhattan and Nassau and Suffolk County on Long Island, we can help you with you DWI case. DWI stands for "driving while intoxicated." And DUI stands for "driving under the influence." And then we have DWAI, which stands for “driving while ability impaired."

In the state of New York, there are several distinctions made between these different types of DUI-related charges. Understanding the difference between DUI, DWI, and DWAI will help you better fight these charges and find a lawyer in the NYC area that can help. Bach Law works in this field and can help you with your drunk driving case if you need a lawyer. The number for our office is 212-904-1900. When you call, we can provide you with a free, no-obligation consultation to go over the legal issues you are facing. So please, do not hesitate to reach out today.

Drunk Driving in New York

One of the leading causes of car accidents in New York state stem from driving under the influence. Receiving a DUI or a DWI in New York and the NYC area will ultimately lead to harsh penalties. Some of the penalties include jail time and the revocation of your driver's license. When it comes to the three terms, DWI, DUI and DWAI, there is a difference in how the penalties are dolled out. Let's take a look to decipher these differences to help you ascertain what sort of legal team you need. Our law office can help with all of these misdemeanor cases.

DWI vs. DWAI vs. DUI

In many ways, these terms are almost interchangeable. At least how the media uses them and how we talk about them colloquially. However, there are distinctions in the court of law that lead to different end results.

DWI

DWI stands for "driving while intoxicated." When you hear this term, it is specifically related to those who drive while impaired by alcohol. The blood alcohol content of the driver with a DWI must be at least 0.08%, which is the legal limit in the state of New York.

DWAI

DWAI stands for “driving while ability impaired.” This term is used in cases where the blood alcohol content of a driver is under the legal limit of 0.08%. However, there are other factors that impair the driver, such as a combination of drugs and alcohol. In most cases, a DWAI is a less serious offense than a DWI, unless severe impairment was found. Also, it can become a bigger offense than a DWI if someone was killed or injured in a subsequent accident. Or if there were significant damages that were a result of the DWAI.

DUI

DUI stands for “driving under the influence.” This term encompasses any case where the driver is impaired by not only alcohol, but any other mind-altering substance. This includes marijuana, heroin, and even some prescription drugs like oxycodone and hydrocodone. Both DWIs and DWAIs can be classified as types of DUIs. Due to this, the state of New York treats DUI as an umbrella term that houses different types of driving while impaired.

New York Charging Laws

New York State has several laws that makes the determination for who to charge for a DWI or DWAI case tricky. For example, New York is a no-fault state. This is normally for insurance purposes, however it can mean that some cases may result in a conclusion where “no one” is at fault. On the flip side, parties other than the drunk driver can be held liable for an accident. Under this law, stores that sold the driver alcohol or adults who provide alcohol to those under the age of 21 may be held liable. 

Contact Bach Law Office Today

Did you know that you can get a DUI without even driving your vehicle? If you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol and found in your vehicle with the engine on you are still liable for a DUI. Even if you have no intention of driving. All of these charges vary in seriousness, such as fines, license revocation, and jail time. That is why it is important to find a lawyer in the New York City area that can handle DUIs, DWIs and DWAIs.

The office of Bach Law is here to help with your drunk driving case. We will review your case and provide you with the best counsel money can buy. We handle more than DWIs and DUIs. Check out all of the traffic ticket legal representation our law office offers. And if you need representation in court, we can provide that too. Our law office has years of experience working with clients throughout the greater NYC area, as well as on Long Island. Learn what to do after a drunk driving arrest and our law office can get on your case.