There are those times when you may go out for a couple of beers on a Friday night after work. You may intend to have only one beer, but one can easily become 2 or 3 as the stress of the week winds down. The only problem is it can lead to a DUI charge if you aren’t smart about monitoring how much you drink.

Laws change depending on the state. The DUI charge in New York carries very serious consequences and you can land in jail, if you aren’t careful. Not only are the charges for an original offence serious, but if you are charged with later DUI charges, you can receive a much higher fine – or possibly even face jail time.

Consequences of driving DUI in New York

If you get stopped by police with a higher than legal blood alcohol reading, you could be in for some serious consequences. A simple Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) charge can mean you lose your license for at least a year for your first offence, and if you re-offend, you can get up to 7 years in jail.

What’s the Good News?

Sometimes a DUI offense is nothing but a stupid mistake that you desperately wish you could take back. After your first offence you can take part in a Drink Driver Program. Completion of this program may mean you can get a conditional license, which will help you if you need your license to work or to take your children to school.

The best way to avoid a drunk driving charge is not to drink and drive at all. Have a designated driver or hire a taxi to take you home from the bar.