Providing the Best Defense Against Drinking and Driving
Charges
DWI, also known as driving while intoxicated or driving while impaired, is a
serious offense in the criminal justice system because a drunk or impaired driver
can cause traffic accidents that result in the injury or even death of innocent
people.
If a law enforcement officer suspects that a driver is under the influence of
alcohol, the officer may administer a breathalyzer or field sobriety test. If these
tests find that the driver is most likely impaired, the law enforcement officer
will place the person under arrest and take them to a police station for a chemical
blood test. If the results show that the blood alcohol level is above the legal
limit, the driver may be charged with a DWI offense.
If this situation has occurred to you or someone you care about call the
Suffolk County DWI defense lawyers at Naiburg, Obedin
and Weissman (631) 979-7777.
The consequences for a driver charged with a DWI offense can be serious and severe, even for
first time offenders. First, driving privileges may be suspended without any exceptions for working
conditions or other hardships. It is also possible that the vehicle may also be taken, especially
in the case of a repeat offender. The driver may also receive jail time as a consequence of driving
while intoxicated. Finally, the driver faces lawsuits and other legal action from any traffic
accident victims and their families. In order to avoid these severe penalties, it is important for
a driver charged with driving while intoxicated to get experienced and skilled legal representation
as soon as possible.
The attorneys at Naiburg, Obedin and Weissman are experienced and educated Suffolk County DWI
lawyers who will thoroughly research the circumstances of the charges and work to reduce the
penalties to the driver.
With the top notch legal representation provided by Naiburg, Obedin and Weissman, drivers who
are charged with a DWI will have professional support during the entire course of their legal
ordeal. The lawyers will work to reduce any license suspension and protect against any vehicle
seizures.
While no lawyer can guarantee the outcome of criminal charges, drivers who work with the Suffolk
County DWI defense lawyers at Naiburg, Obedin and Weissman will have professional support and the
best chance at minimal consequences.
DWI
Penalties - Possible Punishments for Drunk Driving
There are a variety of DWI penalties and the punishments in New York.
Some of the most common penalties include license suspension, driving restrictions, jail time and
required attendance at meetings.
License Suspension If
an individual is found to have a blood alcohol level of .08% or higher, their license will
immediately be confiscated. A temporary license will usually be issued that will allow driving for
a few days, but after that the license suspension will begin and can last up to six months for
first time offenses.
However, if the person does not cooperate with police offers or
refuses to take a blood alcohol test, the suspension can last for up to one year. First time
offenders are eligible to receive a hardship license, which is a limited license that allows the
driver to go to work, the grocery store and other places that involve necessary tasks of daily
living. People that have received more than one driving under the influence citation are not
eligible for this privilege.
Ignition Interlock Another penalty for
DWI is a device on the steering wheel called an interlock. This is a breathalyzer connected to
a vehicle ignition switch. In order for the vehicle will start, the driver must blow into a tube
and no alcohol can be detected on their breath. The device will randomly ask for additional
breathing samples while the car is in operation to make sure that the driver is not drinking and
driving. An ignition interlock is an expensive devices that the driver is required to pay for out
of their own pocket.
Prison/Jail Time Jail time is another
possible penalty for a DWI and is generally considered the harshest possible punishment for the
crime. Jail time is typically reserved for drivers who have multiple drunk driving charges or
those who have been involved in traffic accidents that seriously injured or even killed innocent
victims.
Required Meetings/Counseling Other DWI
penalties include alcohol and victim impact meetings. Because drinking and driving can be a signal
of alcoholism, a judge may require the driver to attend meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Most
individuals in the legal system consider these meetings a form of treatment and not a punishment.
Victim impact meetings, which can be extremely influential, allow the drivers to meet the family of
victims who have been killed or seriously injured in drunk driving accidents.
You can speak to Ira Weissman or any of the otherSuffolk County criminal defense lawyersat Naiburg,
Obedin and Weissman about your (or a loved one's) recent DWI arrest by calling (631)
979-7777.
The Law Offices of Naiburg, Obedin and Weissman publishes this website as a service to you
for informational purposes only. It is NOT to be used as a substitute for specific legal advice
or opinions, and the transmission of this information does not create an attorney-client
relationship between sender and receiver. Internet subscribers and online readers should NOT
act upon this information without seeking professional counsel.
