Which is worse: DUI or DWI
If you have just recieved a DWI or DWAI, and are seeking a DWI lawyer in Central Islip, then contact Flowers Law Group today.
The legal world has many terms for relatively similar crimes. DWI, DUI, DWAI, and DWAI-Drugs or DWAI A/D are all relative to driving impairment, but carry varying degrees of severity and consequences depending on their designation. In many states, there is no concrete difference between these other than semantics, but New York carries distinct divisions. In fact, New York doesn’t use the term DUI.
Flowers Law Group and our DWI lawyers in Central Islip can answer any questions that you might have regarding DWI vs DWAI designations, help you avoid some of the serious punishments that may come with it. The difference between those terms listed above can be determined both through the BAC (blood alcohol content) of the driver and their actions during driving and the subsequent police encounter.
What is a DWI?
The more commonly heard-of DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) charge is when the driver of the vehicle is above a .08% BAC, which is considered to be the level of complete intoxication. Additionally, a DWI can also apply with .04% for commercial drivers and .02% for drivers under the age of 21. This charge is the more severe of the two, carrying thousands of dollars in legal fees, probationary periods, and even jail time. Our DWI lawyer in Central Islip knows that this is a serious offense that requires serious help to combat in a court of law.
What is a DWAI?
Alternatively, you may be charged with a DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired). This charge is centralized around the circumstances themselves rather than simple numerics. Within the law, DWAI refers to circumstances in which the driver’s BAC is somewhere between .05% and .07%, which is considered legally impaired.
However, this charge can be separated into three different titles depending on the cause of impairment. The aforementioned percentages are for standard DWAI’s. However, there are also DUI Drug charges, for impairment with any form of drug including illegal, legal, and prescribed medications. DWAI-A/D is the combination of these two, where both alcohol and drugs were combined while driving to create a dangerous cocktail.
So, Which is More Severe?
DWAI is typically less severe than DWI, but will still carry on many of its violations. DWI charges can come with a fine up to $1,000, revocation of license, receiving three years probation, and the possibility of jail for up to one year. These charges increase in severity with each charge. DWI charges will carry the same consequences, sometimes at increased rates depending on the case, but also come with the added aspect of mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device into your car for a full year.
DWI Lawyer in Central Islip
Our DWI Lawyer in Central Islip will help you to get the representation that you need to work through your case to hopefully avoid many of these penalties.
If you have any questions about driving law designation, contact Flowers Law Group, and our DWI lawyer in Central Islip can assist you with your queries.
DISCLAIMER: This article is for educational purposes and it is not intended as a substitute for legal advice.
