DUI & Traffic Defense Attorney in Commack, New York

Being charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) in New York can be a scary situation. New York’s DWI laws are tough, and if convicted of drunk driving, you may face consequences such as jail time, probation, increased insurance rates, and driver’s license suspension. Fighting a DWI charge can be difficult, and the stakes for a conviction are high; therefore, you need to hire a skilled New York DWI attorney to assist you with your case.

DWI law is an extremely complicated field; to make it worse, drunk-driving laws are changing all of the time. While a general trial attorney may be familiar with DWI laws, he or she may not have the scientific knowledge necessary to fight a DWI charge aggressively. New York DWI lawyers such as I, have studied the science behind the breathalyzer test and attend continuing education events to keep up-to-date with current laws and defense strategies.

You may be wondering if you even need an attorney—maybe you will just plead guilty in order to put this behind you. You may even think that you will automatically be found guilty because you failed the field sobriety tests or the breathalyzer. This simply isn’t so. I will carefully investigate your case to uncover evidence that can be used on your behalf and to determine if your constitutional rights were upheld during the arrest process.

Being arrested for drunk driving can have a serious impact on your life in a number of ways. For most people, their immediate concern following an arrest on this charge is trying to protect their driver's license from being suspended. But, there are other consequences that result from a DWI conviction that many people overlook. Many of these penalties are much more serious than the mere suspension or revocation of your license. For example, a DWI conviction will result in a permanent criminal record. In addition, the law requires that an interlock device be installed as part of the sentence for any DWI conviction.

If you are convicted of a DWI and you are subsequently arrested for the same charge you will be facing harsher penalties for a second conviction within ten years. These stiffer penalties include mandatory minimum jail time for a second DWI and a one-year driver's license suspension. Out-of-state DWI convictions will affect your NY driving privileges.

I have helped dozens of individuals avoid harsh penalties and preserve their driving privileges. Is it easy? No, but it can be done. I know when to fight, when to negotiate, and where to look for holes in the District Attorney's case against you, and can help you with:

• Protecting your license

• Keeping your privacy

• DMV license suspension hearings

• Revocation hearings, also known as refusal hearings

• Hardship license

• Conditional license

• Vehicle forfeiture

• First offense

• Repeat offense

• Underage drinking

• Vehicular assault

Breath tests are not foolproof, nor are blood-alcohol content (BAC) tests. Mistakes can be made, both by arresting officers and by law enforcement personnel at the police station. If mistakes were made, we will find them and use them to our advantage.

A drinking and driving arrest can cause you to have a criminal record for the rest of your life — you don't want that. Nearly 100 percent of those arrested for DWI or DWAI could lose their licenses for at least a month, if not longer. Ever try to get around Long Island without a driver's license? It's not easy. Your job could be at stake; not to mention the effect on your social life and family life.

We can help you get a conditional license or hardship license that will allow you to drive to and from work, school, or court. Plus, we can help you get involved with AA and other treatment programs that will not only be beneficial to your overall well-being but will look favorable in the eyes of the District Attorney as well as the judge.

Be sure and review our New York DWI & Traffic Violation FAQ.

Learn the answers to questions like What Will A DWI Cost Me? What is the New York State Driver Assessment Fee? What Is Leandra’s Law?

DWI Penalties