If you’ve visited our blog before and have read some of our posts regarding penalties associated with drunk driving, then you know that even a first-time offense can mean a suspension of your driver’s license for 90 days. You likely also know that the more drunk-driving convictions you receive, the steeper the penalties get until finally your license is revoked for up to six months.
Whether it’s a license suspension or revocation, many consider losing your driving privileges to be the worst consequence of getting a DUI. This is because most people rely on their ability to drive to get to and from their job. But if your driving privileges have been suspended or revoked, it may be very difficult — if not impossible — to get to work in some cases, resulting in a loss of employment and income.
Here in New York though, there are ways in which a person being accused of driving under the influence can preserve their driving privileges. The first way is through a hardship license, which can be requested during the course of a criminal trial. It’s important to point out, however, that an individual has to meet certain requirements and the license has a limited scope for a limited period of time.
Another way to preserve your driving privileges is by requesting a conditional license. Like a hardship license though, there are specific criteria that must be met before this type of license is awarded to an individual.
If the process of trying to protect your driving privileges seems confusing, you’re not alone. Most people have a narrow awareness of the law and the consequences it can deliver. Without help from a lawyer, mistakes can be made that could greatly jeopardize a person’s driving privileges and thereby their employment as well. It’s something we hope our Poughkeepsie readers will keep in mind if they find themselves facing a similarly problematic situation.
