Larkin Ingrassia Andrews Criminal Defense Attorneys | August 21, 2026 | DWI
An arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can disrupt far more than one night. In Orange County, NY, an impaired driving case can threaten your license, cost you money, interfere with your job, and create criminal consequences that follow you well after the case ends.
New York has several offenses covering alcohol- and drug-impaired driving. What happens after an arrest depends on the substance involved, the circumstances of the stop, your driving history, and other facts surrounding the case.
What Is Considered Impaired Driving in New York?
New York recognizes several alcohol- and drug-related driving offenses. The allegations may depend on what substance was involved, the driver’s level of impairment, and, in alcohol-related cases, blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
Common charges include:
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI)
- Driving while ability impaired by alcohol (DWAI)
- Driving while ability impaired by drugs (DWAI-Drug)
- Aggravated DWI in qualifying cases
Different rules and penalties apply to each offense. A driver may also face separate consequences for refusing a chemical test after an arrest.
Criminal Penalties for Driving Under the Influence
The criminal consequences of an alcohol- or drug-related driving conviction depend on the charge and circumstances. Prior impaired-driving convictions can make the penalties considerably more serious.
Possible consequences include:
- Fines and mandatory surcharges
- Jail or prison time
- Probation
- Required alcohol or substance abuse programs
- An ignition interlock device in qualifying cases
Certain repeat offenses and other serious circumstances can result in felony charges. The exact penalties depend on the offense for which a person is convicted.
You Could Lose Your Driving Privileges
Losing your ability to drive can be one of the most disruptive parts of an impaired-driving case. Depending on the circumstances, your driver’s license may be suspended or revoked.
For someone who lives or works in Orange County, that can quickly become a practical problem. Getting to work, making appointments, taking children where they need to go, and handling ordinary errands can suddenly require other arrangements.
A chemical test refusal can create separate license consequences, making it important to understand both the criminal case and any issues involving driving privileges.
A Conviction Can Affect Your Employment
An impaired-driving conviction may cause problems at work, especially if driving is part of your job. Commercial drivers and employees who operate company vehicles can face particularly significant professional consequences.
Other possible employment-related effects include:
- Problems during employment background checks
- Restrictions on driving company vehicles
- Difficulty performing jobs that require regular travel
- Potential professional licensing concerns
The effect on employment varies considerably from one person to another, but it can continue after the criminal sentence itself is over.
Insurance Costs May Increase
The financial impact of an impaired-driving conviction does not necessarily stop with court-imposed fines and surcharges. Your driving history can also affect the cost and availability of automobile insurance.
Higher premiums can add to expenses associated with transportation, court proceedings, and possible lost work. These costs can make the financial consequences of a conviction linger well beyond the case.
What Happens If Someone Is Injured?
An impaired-driving case becomes considerably more serious when a crash causes an injury or death. Depending on the facts, prosecutors may pursue additional criminal charges carrying much harsher penalties.
The investigation may also become more complicated. Evidence could include:
- Accident reconstruction
- Chemical test results
- Medical records
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage
- Witness statements
A driver may also face a separate civil claim arising from the crash. Criminal and civil proceedings involve different legal issues and potential consequences.
What Happens to Your Car After an Impaired Driving Arrest?
If police arrest you during a traffic stop, you obviously cannot simply drive the car home.
Depending on where the arrest occurs and the circumstances, the vehicle may be:
- Released to a sober, authorized driver
- Towed from the scene
- Stored at an impound facility
- Held in certain circumstances connected to the investigation
Towing and storage can create additional costs, and retrieving a vehicle may require proof of ownership or other documentation. If the vehicle belongs to someone else, that person may also need to take steps to recover it.
Contact the Orange County DWI Attorneys at Larkin Ingrassia Andrews Criminal Defense Attorneys for Help
An impaired-driving charge can touch nearly every part of your daily life, from how you get to work to what you pay for insurance. Larkin Ingrassia Andrews Criminal Defense Attorneys can review the circumstances surrounding an Orange County arrest and explain the legal issues that may affect the case.
For more information, contact an experienced DWI lawyer at Larkin Ingrassia Andrews Criminal Defense Attorneys, to schedule a free consultation today. We conveniently serve in 3 locations in New York, including Middletown, Newburgh, and Kingston.
We proudly serve Orange County, Ulster County, and their surrounding areas:
Larkin Ingrassia Andrews Criminal Defense Attorneys – Middletown
626 E Main St
Middletown, NY 10940
(845) 566 5345
Larkin Ingrassia Andrews Criminal Defense Attorneys – Newburgh
356 Meadow Ave
Newburgh, NY 12550
(845) 566-5345
Larkin Ingrassia Andrews Criminal Defense Attorneys – Kingston
233 Fair St Suite #1
Kingston, NY 12401
(845) 566-5345