What type of offense is a DWI classified as for repeat offenders?

A DWI is classified as a felony for repeat offenders due to the increased risks and consequences associated with multiple offenses. In New York, when an individual has previous DWI convictions, the legal system perceives them as a greater threat to public safety, justifying a harsher penalty. A felony designation typically implies that the individual has committed serious violations that endanger others, which carries more severe penalties such as longer prison sentences, larger fines, and extended license suspensions. This structure is intended to discourage repeat offenses and promote road safety. Other classifications, such as misdemeanors or civil penalties, do not capture the serious nature of repeated DWI offenses and their potential consequences for the individual and society.