For many people, commercial truck driving jobs are the most efficient way to earn a living. There is job security, good pay, the ability to travel, and many opportunities to grow as an employee. But, one of the biggest downsides of being a commercial truck driver for a living is that if you get into any sort of trouble with drunk driving behind the wheel, you can get your license suspended, losing not only your driving privileges, but your career as well.
Anyone in New York with any kind of driver’s license who is charged for Driving Under The Influence will most certainly face penalties for this kind of crime. But those who drive trucks commercially for a living have so much at stake with a charge like this, as they could lose their career, their income, an important professional certification, and more.
If you have a commercial driver’s license and catch a Driving While Intoxicated charge in Nassau County, Long Island, you need strong, smart representation right away. Contact the Law Firm of Gianni Karmily and schedule an in-depth criminal case evaluation regarding your charge in order to reduce the risk of losing your license.
What Are The Difference Between Getting A DWI With A Commercial Driver’s License Or A Regular License?
One of the key differences between regular car drivers and those who hold a commercial driver’s license is that regular car drivers are sometimes granted a conditional license after being charged with Driving While Intoxicated. A conditional license is issued to a non-CDL driver after their arrest in an attempt to take away some of their driving privileges as they could be a danger on the road. With a conditional license, there are conditions that specify when or where the driver can drive. But, if you’re a licensed commercial truck driver, you will not be so lucky to have this privilege. If you are a licensed commercial truck driver and you have been charged with a DWI in New York, the best course of defense is to contact a lawyer right away.
If you were arrested as a commercial truck driver in a commercial vehicle, you may face additional penalties as well. Those who operate commercial vehicles have a certain set of responsibilities and a duty of care to provide to others at all times while on the road. Being intoxicated while driving, and therefore actively working, will likely increase the penalties you face with your employer.
What Are The Penalties For Drunk Driving With A Commercial Driver’s License
Commercial truck drivers who are arrested for drunk driving and have a blood alcohol content above the legal limit can certainly expect to see their commercial drivers license suspended for at least a year for a first offense, and possibly permanent suspension if it is a second, third, or subsequent offense. Additionally, you may be required by the state courts to pay a fine, possibly serve jail time, and you may even be required to perform community service or volunteer work. Some people who are arrested for drunk driving related charges in Nassau County, Long Island are also required to attend alcohol rehabilitation programs or safe driving programs issued by either the state court or the department of motor vehicles.
No two drunk driving charges occur in the exact same way. There are many factors that can make your imminent penalties worse, but similarly, there are factors of your case that may work as a strong defense. For this reason, it is impossible to know exactly what penalties you may face until you speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer during an initial consultation.
How Does A Criminal Defense Lawyer Fight Back Against A CDL DWI Charge?
In order to beat a CDL drunk driving charge, you will need a great lawyer. The stakes are much higher for this kind of charge, and CDL operators have a lot at stake with their careers and personal lives on the line. A criminal defense attorney in New York who deals with drunk driving charges, specifically for commercial driver license cases, is your best bet. Gianni Karmily is an experienced criminal defense lawyer who understands New York State law as it applies to your case. He will develop a strong defense which challenges every aspect of your arrest, from probable cause, to collection of evidence, to the execution of the police report. He will take the time to listen to every aspect of your case, familiarize himself with the circumstances, and create a strong plan of action for defending you.
