Drunk driving charges are taken very seriously in the state of New York. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, you could face fines of up to $10,000, jail terms as long as 7 years, and license revocation of up to 18 months.
While these penalties can have a serious effect on your life, they are not the only consequences of a drunk driving charge. The following are a few collateral effects that can impact your life negatively for many years to come.
Loss of employment and wages
Most people require a vehicle to get to and from work. If you lose your license for a year or more, you might find it difficult or impossible to make your work commute. If you do not have access to alternate transportation, you may be let go if you can no longer report to work on time. You may also find it difficult to secure new employment, which greatly limits your earning potential.
Impacted interpersonal relationships
Family and friends may be embarrassed by you after your conviction. You may be reluctant to meet new people, out of fear they will find out about your criminal record. If you are without transportation, you will also find it difficult to keep up with social events and gatherings. As a result, you may feel lonely and isolated from those you care about.
Social and professional stigma
Being convicted of drunk driving does not make you a bad person. You may have suffered from a momentary lapse in judgment or struggled to deal with a substance abuse issue. However, most people do not consider the extenuating circumstances around the crime and instead choose to pass immediate judgment. This can impact you socially if friends and family choose to avoid you. You may also be shunned professionally, which affects future career prospects. While these effects are far from fair, they do impact many people with drunk driving charges on their records.