Fight Suffolk County DWI Charges With A Former Prosecutor
Drivers of all backgrounds could find themselves facing serious driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges. Intoxicated driving is a relatively common violation in Suffolk County and Nassau County. However, the penalties can still be severe.
The Law Office of Bryan E. Cameron will take your side no matter the circumstances. As a former criminal prosecutor, our Suffolk County DWI defense lawyer fully understands how the other side operates. He has successfully defended numerous clients across New York against DWIs, and he can represent you.
The Stakes Are High In A Suffolk County DWI Case
The consequences of a DWI conviction can be serious, ranging from economic damage to jail time. You could lose your vehicle or your license, which could also affect your career if your job requires driving.
For a first offense, you might face a misdemeanor or a violation, depending on your chemical test or refusal to test. After an arrest for another DWI within 10 years of your prior conviction, you will face a felony.
Trust us to navigate the entire process, including the criminal proceeding, refusal hearing and the administrative hearing regarding license suspension. We will fight to keep you from losing your license or being sentenced to jail time.
We Will Examine Your Options From All Angles
When you hire us to defend you on a DWI charge, we will:
- Review the details of the traffic stop to determine whether the police had reasonable suspicion to pull you over
- Check whether police notified you of your rights before you made any statements
- Confirm that the police correctly administered field sobriety, breath and blood alcohol tests
- Thoroughly investigate the facts and evidence to determine whether law enforcement violated your rights in any other way
We have in-depth knowledge of the field sobriety tests and breath testing machines that Long Island law enforcement uses, such as the Alco-Sensor, Breathalyzer and Intoxilyzer. This allows us to build strong arguments for cases that rely solely on test results.
If you face license suspension, we will work to secure a hardship license or conditional license so you can drive to work, school or medical appointments. We also handle zero-tolerance proceedings for individuals under the age of 21 who face charges of operating a vehicle under the influence.
Frequently Asked Questions About DWI In Suffolk County, New York
At the Law Office of Bryan E. Cameron, our lawyer understands that our Suffolk County clients may be scared and confused about their charges. Here are the answers to some of the questions he hears the most:
What should I do if arrested and charged with DWI in Suffolk County?
If you are pulled over and face the threat of a DWI arrest, here is what to do:
- Remain calm and polite to the arresting officer. Do not resist arrest.
- You must provide the information listed on your driver’s license, such as your name and address. However, after this, invoke the right to remain silent.
- Do not give consent for the officer to search your vehicle or bags.
- Request an attorney immediately. Do not grant an interview until you have one.
Let’s say you have already been arrested and charged. These are the next steps:
- The officer will take you to the police station for booking and processing.
- You will attend an arraignment in which a judge issues your charges and may set bail.
- You have the option of pleading guilty at the arraignment. If you do not, then your case proceeds to the discovery and pretrial negotiation process.
- If necessary, your case may proceed to trial.
It is of utmost importance to have a Suffolk County criminal defense attorney on your side to explain your rights and options during all these phases.
What is the difference between DWI and DWAI in New York?
DWI is the term for “driving while intoxicated,” while DWAI is the term for “driving while ability impaired.” For most drivers, DWI is the charge when a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08% or higher, although it is also used for commercial drivers with a BAC of .04% and drivers under 21 years of age with a BAC of .02% or higher. These are the “per se” BAC levels that automatically equate to impairment, even if the driver “appears” sober.
DWAI is generally charged when a driver’s BAC is between .04% and .07%, but they show other signs of impairment, such as slurred speech and coordination problems.
What is implied consent?
Under New York’s implied consent law, drivers are considered to have consented to submit to chemical testing on their breath, blood or urine to determine their blood alcohol content (BAC) merely by driving on any public road. Refusal to submit to a test will lead to the immediate suspension of your driver’s license, even if you are not impaired.
Can you refuse a field sobriety test in New York?
There are three commonly administered field sobriety tests designed to gauge a driver’s sobriety:
- Walk-and-turn test
- One-legged stand test
- Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test
It cannot be stressed enough that drivers are under no legal obligation to submit to field sobriety tests, and they are deeply flawed.
When is a DWI a felony in New York?
You can be charged with a felony DWI, even for a first offense, if you have a child under 16 years of age in the vehicle with you while you are impaired, you have a second DWI within 10 years, you caused seriously bodily injury or the death of another or you hold a commercial driver’s license and your blood alcohol content (BAC) registered .04% or more.
Make A Free Consultation With A Suffolk County Criminal Defense Lawyer
After a DWI arrest, do not wait to secure legal defense. Meet with our criminal defense attorney for a free case review. From our law office in Sayville, we help clients throughout Suffolk County, Nassau County and the surrounding areas. Contact us online or call us at 631-319-3487 (toll-free at 888-816-9087). Se habla español.
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