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New York State's "Zero Tolerance"
Law became effective on November 1, 1996.
The Zero Tolerance law applies to a person under
the age of 21 who operates a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .02% or more, but not more
than .07%.
Even though the law is called "zero tolerance",
the minimum BAC is .02 and not 0. This is because certain cough syrups and mouthwashes contain alcohol, and since
some families will permit the consumption of small amounts of alcohol as part of a religious or family function.
The Legislature decided to set the standard at .02% in order to address only those young people who had willfully
consumed alcohol and operated a motor vehicle.
If you are stopped...
If you are stopped by a police officer for having
consumed alcohol and the police officer deems that you are younger than 21 and appear to have consumed alcohol,
you will be temporarily detained for the purpose of taking a breathalyzer test to determine your blood alcohol
level (BAC), usually at the police station.
- If you refuse to take a breath test, you will
be subject to license
revocation of at least one year.
Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
and How You May Be Charged
|
BAC
|
Offense
|
Procedures
|
| .02% or more but not more than .07% |
Driving after having consumed alcohol (a zero tolerance
violation) |
Administrative Hearing |
| More than .05% and less than .10% |
Diving while ability is impaired by alcohol (DWAI) |
Criminal Court |
| .10% or more |
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) |
Criminal Court |
If your BAC is .02% or more, but not more than .07%, you will be charged with the traffic offense of "driving after having consumed
alcohol". You will then be provided with a notice to appear for a hearing before an administrative law judge
of the Department of Motor Vehicles.
If your BAC is more than .05%, but not more than .07%, the police will have the option of charging you with "driving while ability impaired
by alcohol" (DWAI).
If your BAC is more than .07%, but not more than .10%, you will be charged with the offense of "driving while ability impaired by alcohol"
(DWAI) and those of .10% or more, the charge will be "driving while intoxicated"
(DWI). If you are charged with either DWI or DWAI, you will be arrested and dealt with in criminal court.
If you are charged....
The DMV Administrative Hearing
If you are charged with having operated a motor
vehicle after consumed alcohol and are scheduled for a DMV administrative hearing:
The Police must prove that:
| 1. |
You were the person who operated the motor vehicle; |
| 2. |
A valid request was made to submit a chemical test
(e.g., breathalyzer); |
| 3. |
You were younger than 21 at the time; |
| 4. |
The chemical test was properly administered. |
| 5. |
The test showed that you had consumed alcohol (.02%
or more); and |
| 6. |
The police made a lawful stop of the vehicle. |
You will be entitled to provide evidence in
your defense, including witnesses. You may have an attorney represent you at the hearing, however, since this is
not a criminal hearing, there is no provisions for a public defender, and you will be responsible for all attorney's
fees. If, after both side have been heard, the police officer has carried his burden of proving the case, the administrative
judge will make a finding that you drove after having consumed alcohol.
- Failure to attend the hearing will result in
temporary suspension--- but you may reschedule your hearing.
- An official waiver will waive your right to
a hearing and will result in a suspension
or revocation, as appropriate.
Hearing Results
While being charged with driving after consuming
is considered a serious violation of the law, it is not designated as a crime and you cannot go to jail for violating
this law.
However, at the least, you will have your license
suspended for six months and pay
a civil penalty of $125. You
must pay an additional $100 fee when your license is returned. If you are charged with driving after consuming
alcohol, the charge will remain on your record for three years or until you are 21, whichever is longer.
If you have any prior alcohol-related traffic
offenses on your record, your license will be revoked for one year or until you reach the age of 21, whichever
is longer.
If you lose your license....
License Revocation
You will need to turn in your license to DMV,
and it will be illegal for you to drive. At the end of the revocation period, you may apply for a permit and start
the license procedure. This does not mean that you will have a new driving record. Any convictions you had in with
the license which was revoked will still be part of your driving record.
License Suspension
You will need to turn in your license to DMV,
and it will be illegal for you to drive. Your license will be returned to you at the end of the suspension period.
If your license is suspended under the zero
tolerance law, and you do not have any prior alcohol-related convictions on your license, you may be eligible for
a conditional license. However, in order to receive one, you must enroll in
and complete an approved Driver Program. Both the program and the conditional license carry additional costs to
you over and above those costs mentioned previously. A conditional license will allow you to drive back and forth
to work and school, but is not the same as a full license.
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