It is not hard to get arrested for driving while intoxicated in New York. Stepped-up enforcement means that even occasional drinkers can find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

Thankfully, it appears that fewer New Yorkers are running afoul of drunk driving laws. Recently released data shows that New York City DWI arrests fell by over 13 percent in 2011 as compared with 2010.

Brooklyn had the biggest decrease -- a nearly 20 percent drop. Both Manhattan and The Bronx saw their DWI arrest rates fall by approximately 16 percent.

Queens registered about 10 percent fewer arrests in 2011. In 2010, it was the borough responsible for the largest share of New York City DWI arrests.

Staten Island was the only borough to see an increase in DWI arrests in 2011. Police there made 607 DWI arrests in 2011, up from 514 in 2010. More than 13 percent of Staten Island DWI arrests occurred at the toll plaza on the Verrazano Bridge.

Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan attributes the increase to his office's increased focus on nabbing suspected drunk drivers.

New York Drunk Drivers Risk Serious Penalties

The overall drop is certainly good news. A DWI arrest can cause serious complications in a person's life. The penalties for a New York drunk driving charge can be severe, even for a first offense.

For example, first-time New York DWI offenders can face up to one year in jail and a minimum $1,000 fine. They may also lose their driving privileges for six months or more. The penalties are higher if the driver's blood alcohol content was over 0.18 -- an offense known as "aggravated DWI" in New York.

New York City drivers arrested for DWI should not take risks with their future by trying to defend the charges on their own. A New York DWI defense attorney can help drivers accused of DWI pursue strategies that may allow them to avoid jail or retain their driving privileges.

If you have been charged with a New York City DWI, contact an experienced defense attorney who can help you understand your options.

Source: New York Post, "DWI Busts Spike in SI, Drop Overall," Doug Auer and Jessica Simeone, Jan. 2, 2012