HOW MANY POINTS DO YOU
GET ON YOUR LICENSE
FOR A NEW YORK DWI???
My clients ask me this question all the time. The short answer is...
YOU DON'T GET ANY POINTS.
Instead, the DMV gives you what they call:
"negative safety units."
These units are given for any serious traffic offense under the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
If you generate up to 25 negative safety units, you may never drive in New York again. Problem is, the DMV doesn't tell us how many you get per DWI conviction... so it is hard to estimate. In our experience, if you get three DWI's or more, there is a good chance that the DMV will take away your driving privileges forever.
The DMV Commissioner has broad powers to limit the privilege to drive in New York State. If you generate both points on your driver's license and negative safety units over the course of your driving history, then it is possible for the DMV to revoke your driving privileges indefinitely.
Remember, driving is a privilege, not a right, so it does not have the kind of legal protection that you would get in a criminal case. Rule of thumb, if your freedom is NOT in jeopardy for a legal case, then you usually have less protection from bad outcomes.
That's why it is so important to have a local DWI attorney from the start of any DWI case so you can potentially avoid these negative outcomes to your freedom, or your license.
BY: Attorney Mike Cyr
P: 607-229-5184
Twitter: @ithacadwi
