Often, the consequences of a DWI charge can extend far beyond criminal penalties. A DWI can also put your job at risk.

Obviously, commercial drivers, cab drivers and others whose livelihood depends on being able to operate a motor vehicle can risk losing a job after a New York DWI. However, New Yorkers who operate in the public sphere can also face serious professional consequences, especially if there are extenuating circumstances attached to the DWI like a serious accident or an alleged misuse of authority.

In one such case, a Bronx prosecutor was fired earlier this month, nearly 18 months after she allegedly caused a drunk driving crash on the Major Deegan Expressway.

Prosecutor Allegedly Abused Professional Connections

The crash occurred in August 2010, as the prosecutor was heading home from a party with colleagues from the district attorney's office. She allegedly told police at the scene not to arrest her because of her connections to law enforcement.

Her plea didn't work - the prosecutor was charged with both DWI and reckless driving. The latter charge was later dropped.

It was apparently not the first time the prosecutor had attempted to use her position to avoid charges. In 2009, she was arrested for drunk driving after leaving a work-related Christmas party. The charges against her were ultimately dropped, allegedly because she told police she was a prosecutor.

The prosecutor has not yet been convicted of the charges brought in the wake of the 2010 drunk driving accident. Nevertheless, the allegations against her brought unwanted attention to the Bronx DA - an agency that is still working to repair its public image after last year's "ticket-fixing" scandal.

This is just one example of the potential negative consequences of a New York DWI. If you have been charged with driving under the influence, talk to an attorney who can help you mitigate the damage.

Source: New York Daily News, "Troubled Bronx Prosecutor Fired," Kevin Deutsch, Feb. 3, 2012.