New York City DWI Defense Attorney
In New York City, DWI includes much more than just driving home after too much drinking. A DWI charge can be brought for:
- Operating a boat
- Flying an airplane
- Riding a bicycle
- Sleeping in your parked car
- Operating farm machinery
- Driving a horse-drawn carriage
- Walking home, and more
Police officers are more likely to pull you over if your lights don’t work, you toss cigarette butts out the window, you have a license plate violation, or you have dark tint film on your car windows. To avoid trouble, make sure that everything on your car is in order so police officers do not pay more attention to you. Once a police officer pulls you over, they could suspect that you have been drinking and driving and ask you to step out of the car for a field sobriety test.
If the police think you threaten yourself or the public safety, you could face an arrest, huge fines, the loss of your job, or worse. You could lose everything. The Mirsky Law Firm can help. With possible jail time and more if you are convicted, you really must have a good New York City DWI defense attorney working for you. You need a New York City DWI defense attorney who will protect your legal rights while striving for the best possible resolution of your case.
Impaired Driving Crimes
You already know that driving while intoxicated is a crime. Your judgment, coordination, and ability to drive are reduced when you drink any amount of alcohol. There is no quick way to get sober. You simply have to wait until your body absorbs the alcohol. Thus, if you plan on driving, don’t drink, and if you plan on enjoying several drinks, call a taxicab or a car service or arrange to have a designated driver. If you’re charged anywhere in the New York City area with DWI or any of the other crimes listed here, immediately contact an experienced New York City criminal defense attorney. Here are the specific charges that can be filed against impaired drivers in New York:
- Driving While Intoxicated (DWI): To be charged, you must register a 0.08 percent or higher blood alcohol content (BAC) level, or there must be other evidence of intoxication. For drivers of commercial vehicles, the legal limit is a 0.04 percent or higher blood alcohol content (BAC) level.
- Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (Aggravated DWI): To be charged, you must register a 0.18 percent or higher BAC level.
- Driving While Ability Impaired by Alcohol (DWAI/Alcohol): To be charged, you must register a BAC level higher than 0.05 percent but below 0.07 percent, or there must be other evidence of intoxication.
- Driving While Ability Impaired by a Single Drug other than Alcohol (DWAI/Drug) or Driving While Ability Impaired by a Combined Influence of Drugs or Alcohol (DWAI/Combination).
- Chemical Test Refusal: Refusing to take a chemical DWI test.
- Zero Tolerance Law: To be charged, a driver under 21 must register a BAC level higher than 0.05 percent but below 0.07 percent.
Penalties for a first offense-DWI in New York can include fines from $500 to $1,000, up to one year in jail and three years of probation, a yearly $250 “driver responsibility assessment” fee for three years, and attendance at a victim-impact panel. Along with these penalties, your driver’s license may be revoked for six months; however, in some cases you may be allowed to obtain a conditional driving permit (for driving to and from work, school, and court-ordered obligations).
However, if your BAC level measures 0.18 percent or higher – more than double the legal limit – you can be charged with “aggravated” DWI. If convicted, the fine can go up to $2,500, your license can be revoked for a full year, and after a year in jail you could serve an additional three years on probation.
If you or someone in your family is charged with any of these crimes, get legal help fast. Contact an experienced New York City DWI defense attorney as quickly as possible.
DUI Defense Fees
Most lawyers set base prices for their services, but certain other fees and expenses can increase the total bill which the suspect will be expected to pay for the legal services provided. Attorney base prices will generally represent the amount which the attorney charges for his or her own professional services. This usually includes legal research, preparation and review of legal documents, representation in court, and representation doing interviews / interrogations. Expenses like filing fees, postage fees, and other administrative fees are generally not included in an attorney’s base price.
In DUI cases, an expert witness with private investigative and accident reconstruction experience can offer valuable insight into the evidence collected and the investigative aspects of a case. When a relevant or expert witness is geographically far away from where the trial will be held, then the suspect will likely be expected to pay travel expenses. Expert witnesses will also generally charge an hourly fee for any time that they have to spend on the stand or preparing to give testimony.
Aside from the testimony of police officers and witnesses, one of the most important pieces of evidence that may exist in a DUI trial is the result of chemical tests. Chemical tests are used to determine the amount of drugs or alcohol in a person’s system and are generally required under implied consent laws to be taken during the investigation phase of a DUI allegation. When a sample of the person’s blood or urine has been collected (suspects generally have the option of submitting to a chemical test of either blood, breath, or urine), the sample can be independently tested by the defense – a re-analysis of a blood or urine sample may be another expense that the suspect of the DUI will have to pay for.
While fighting allegations of driving under the influence might seem expensive, the financial costs pale in comparison to the personal and professional costs of being convicted of a serious DUI offense. A successful conviction can result in time behind bars, fines, the loss of employment, the inability to find employment in the future, and the loss of respect from family and friends. Considering the consequences involved with facing allegations of driving under the influence, suspects of DUI simply can’t afford not to partner with experienced legal counsel.
Why You Need An Attorney
If you’ve been charged with DWI, we understand your concerns. We know that good people make mistakes. With over two decades of criminal law specialization, New York City DWI defense attorney David M. Mirsky has the expertise to fight your charges. Our team of seasoned New York DWI defense attorneys has more than eighty years of combined experience, and we’re known to fight aggressively for our clients. We don’t simply take what the courts offer; we’ll work to get your charges reduced or dismissed, but we fight for you all the way to trial if necessary.
At the Mirsky Law Firm, everyone has a right to the best legal defense possible. New York City DWI defense attorney David Mirsky has an outstanding record of victories defending clients charged with DWI. He assesses the legal and factual issues in your case and considers the most effective defense strategies. David works on every front to defend you and to debunk the prosecution’s case. He will find out why you were stopped and what the police observed. He may attempt to discredit the results of field sobriety exams or of any blood, breath, or urine tests that were conducted. David Mirsky will find a weakness in the prosecution’s case and use it to your benefit.
Our New York City DWI defense attorneys will strive to clear your name and help you get on with your life. When your future is at stake, don’t risk it with an untried attorney or a public defender. You need a seasoned lawyer and a team of skilled litigators who are effective both in and out of the courtroom. The Mirsky Law Firm has the background and skills you need. With solid relationships in the D.A.’s office, in the courthouse, and with other local attorneys, you’ll find no better legal defense in New York City.
Hire A New York City DWI Defense Attorney
Selecting the right New York City DWI defense attorney will significantly impact the results of your case. Any lawyer on the street can craft a defense, but you need an experienced DWI defense attorney with expertise and skill in fighting prosecutors and trying DWI cases. In New York City, the best choice for legal defense is the Mirsky Law Firm. Call us today or complete the form in the left column on this page, and we’ll arrange a free consultation to discuss your case and recommend the best legal action. Don’t put your freedom at risk. Contact the Mirsky Law Firm at 516-299-6187 or 888-999-7152 today.