NYS DWI FAQ

Q: Is it wise to fight a DWI charge in NY?
A: As you may already know, there are severe consequences for any type of DWI conviction. Many of these consequences you may not even be aware of, such as not being able to get a job due to your record or not being able to travel since you cannot drive. So, if you want to increase your chances of not having to deal with these consequences in the future, then it’s worth fighting. Although you won’t be guaranteed any results, it can be worth it if you want to avoid having problems in the future.
Q: If I fight this DWI charge, what are the consequences?
A: The most immediate consequence of fighting this charge is having your license suspended while the case is pending. This happens when your blood alcohol content is over the legal limit, which is .08 or higher. The only way to get this back is if you apply for “hardship privilege” after the first 30 days, which only allows you to drive back and forth to work. The next step is to get a conditional license, which allows you to drive regularly, but with special conditions. Your license can still be suspended for a year after this, if the case ends up not going in your favor.
Q: Do I have to hire a lawyer?
A: It’s not required that you hire a lawyer, as you can negotiate on your own or plead guilty if you choose to do so. However, it’s generally a very smart idea to hire a DWI lawyer because of the defense they can provide for your situation. They can help reduce or even eliminate suspensions, charges and consequences.

Although your lawyer won’t be able to guarantee any of these things happening; they will be able to keep you aware of what is going on and give you solid legal advice to ensure that you’re making the best choices possible when it comes to your case. They will be there every step of the way as you go through the DWI legal process.

Q: Which courts do you service?
A: Our firm can handle DWI cases all throughout the state of New York.
Q: Will I see an increase in my insurance premium?
A: Most insurance companies will increase your premium as a result of finding out you have a DWI conviction. It’s also possible that your insurance company will drop your coverage all together, simply because you’re too much of a risk for them to insure. Although you might not see a change immediately, you may see an increase when your policy renews, which is generally going to be a pretty significant increase. The only exception to this is sometimes for out-of-state drivers. They may not see their insurance rates increase due to information not being transmitted to their license, but this all happens by chance. For specifics on your situation and insurance plan, talk to our DWI team.
Q: DWAI and DWI: What is the difference?
A: DWI: Otherwise known as driving while intoxicated, this means that you have a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher and/or that you appear intoxicated/impaired. The first time someone is charged with DWI, it is generally a misdemeanor charge, absent any unusual circumstances. The second time someone is charged with DWI, and has a prior DWI conviction, it is a felony.

DWAI: Driving while ability impaired means that you have a blood alcohol content level of .05 or more, but not more than the legal limit of .08, and it is a violation, not a criminal charge.

Contacting Our Team

We are ready to help you whenever you need it, so call our firm at 607-231-6967 right away.

We will provide you with the information you need to make sure you are fully aware of your case, your rights, and what the outcome of your case might be.

DWI Defense Overview

We realize that cost is a factor when choosing an attorney. Our clients understand that serious crimes require serious, skillful and diligent representation. Every case is different and we cannot quote you a retainer fee without first speaking to you and learning about your case and charges. We are happy to consult with you at the jail, if needed. While we do charge a small consultation fee for a jail visit, we apply that fee toward your retainer if you ultimately choose to retain us.