When someone is arrested for DWI charges, police may add other charges such as an illegal open container, resisting arrest or other traffic violations. In such cases, defendants can face more severe penalties than if they were only charged with DWI. A New York man is in just such a situation after an arrest for drunk driving.
Police say the 26-year-old was driving erratically at 2:45 a.m. on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow when they pulled him over. Authorities arrested the man after finding evidence of intoxication, but he soon racked up several more charges, including possession of a stun gun in the shape of a cellphone. Next, as they attempted to place him in the back of a police car, he resisted their efforts by pushing away from the car with his legs and body. The officers eventually forced him into the car.
The defendant was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, obstructing governmental administration and operating a motor vehicle without insurance in addition to driving while intoxicated.
DWI charges can seriously derail someone’s life. On top of fines and jail time, a person arrested for DWI faces other penalties, such as driver’s license suspension and paying higher insurance premiums. This is why it’s important to understand driving laws, their consequences and the legal rights of those facing such charges. An experienced attorney can help explain the options available.
Source: East Meadow Patch, “Man charged with DWI, possession of stun gun,” Danielle De Souza, Jan. 1, 2013
