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Long Island DWI / DUI Lawyers

Drunk Driving, the Law, and You

Perhaps you were having a few drinks with friends and as you left the parking lot, you were stopped by the police. Chances are the police were observing the restaurant/bar and simply waited until someone, unfortunately you, drove away. In the police’s mind you were already presumed guilty. You think you passed those standard field sobriety tests — you know, walk the line, finger to nose, and one-leg stand — but next thing you know you are chained to the wall and peppered with questions and introduced to someone wearing a white lab coat who repeats the sobriety tests and has you blow into a straw.

Criminal and Administrative Penalties
The outcome will affect you for years to come. No other accusation in criminal law has the far-reaching impact as DWI/DUI (Driving While Intoxicated) or DWAI (Driving While Alcohol Impaired). Not only do you face criminal prosecution and possible jail or prison time, but numerous other criminal consequences: loss of your driving privileges while the case is pending, probation, fines, possible seizure of your car, mandatory license suspension/revocation, mandated alcohol rehabilitation programs, drug/alcohol evaluation, periodic testing, and often court-ordered abstinence.

Insurance Ramifications
Moreover, if a car crash was involved, your own insurance company will not pay for your own medical care nor damages to you own car and you risk being sued individually for any for injuries suffered by others. Additionally, should you get your license back your insurance premiums will be increase 35 % and you are placed in the assigned risk pool because most insurers will drop you as an insured.

You Need a DWI Lawyer Who Takes Your Case Seriously
Despite the far-reaching consequences of a “simple” first time DWI/DUI, it still amazes us that many of those accused have a cavalier attitude. This “it's no big deal” attitude is fostered, unfortunately, by those DWI lawyers who share their clients' ignorance of the complexities and implications of a DWI/DUI charge.

Gone are the days when drunk driving was viewed as a comical nuisance. No longer do the police simply drive the person home. Today, law enforcement spends considerable resources on detecting DWI/DUI. In recent past years, for example, Nassau County made over 6,500 drunk driving arrests, and Suffolk County DWI/DUI arrests exceed 8,000. Both counties have created special task forces to combat impaired driving, including specially trained police and prosecutors.

Laws are pending to make it easier to arrest one for DWI/DUI, and it seems that almost each year the penalties increase.

Despite the get-tough approach towards DWI/DUI and the increased likelihood of jail and loss of license, a skilled and experienced criminal DWI attorney should be able to raise factual, legal, and evidentiary defenses. Your criminal defense lawyer can lessen the impact of the arrest and potential conviction, and in some instances have the charges dismissed or reduced before trial.

Don’t Delay, Call Today: (800) 399-7098

See Ten Misconceptions About Drunk Driving Arrests.
Learn more about DWI/DWI and the criminal defense process.