Brooklyn DWI / DUI Defense Lawyer

In many states, drunk driving is known as DUI, or driving under the influence.  In New York, drunk or drugged driving is called DWI, which is short for driving while intoxicated.  Even though the terminology is different, the consequences are not.  A convicted defendant will face fines, jail time, probation, license suspension, and other tough penalties, not to mention the considerable damage inflicted upon his or her professional reputation.

If you or one of your family members has been charged with intoxicated driving in Brooklyn, it’s extremely important that you are represented by a skilled defense lawyer who has ample experience handling misdemeanor and felony DWI cases in New York City.  A criminal conviction related to DWI, aggravated DWI, or DWAI (driving while ability-impaired) can irreversibly tarnish your reputation and damage your career.  For immediate legal assistance, call the law offices of Sullivan & Galleshaw at (800) 730-0135.

What Happens if You Are Charged with Driving While Intoxicated in New York?

If you are arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol in Brooklyn, you will face harsh consequences, particularly if you have prior offenses related to intoxicated driving.  In addition to your number of prior DUI offenses, if any, the consequences of a DWI conviction in Brooklyn will depend on factors such as:

• Your blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the offense.
• Whether you had a child passenger in the vehicle with you.
• Whether anyone was injured in an accident caused by the DWI.

These consequences are described in detail in the section below.

While most DUI charges arise from alcohol, intoxication by controlled substances or prescription medications can also give rise to a DWI arrest, including but not limited to DUI with marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, OxyContin, Adderall, Ambien, Percocet, Vicodin, or Xanax.  The Brooklyn DWI defense lawyers of Sullivan & Galleshaw are equipped with the knowledge, skill, and experience to effectively handle a range of drunk and drugged driving charges, including repeat offenses and felony cases.

The following offenses are categorized as misdemeanors:

• First-Offense Aggravated DWI
• First-Offense DWAI (Combination)
• First-Offense DWAI (Drugs)
• First-Offense DWI

Notice all of the above misdemeanors are first-time offenses.  If you are arrested for committing any of the above offenses a second time, you will be charged with a Class E felony, not a misdemeanor.  If you commit any of these offenses for a third time, you will be charged with a Class D felony, and will face greater consequences.

Criminal Penalties for DUI, Aggravated DWI, and DWAI with Drugs or Alcohol

The penalties for a first-time DUI, combination DWAI, or drug DWAI may include:

• A fine ranging from $500 to $1,000
• A jail sentence of up to 1 year
• License suspension or revocation lasting at least six months

Though a first-offense aggravated DWI, which can be charged when the defendant (1) has a passenger aged 15 or younger, or (2) has a BAC which meets or exceeds 0.18%, is also a misdemeanor, the penalties are more severe.  The consequences of a first aggravated DWI in New York City may include:

• A fine ranging from $1,000 to $2,500
• A jail sentence of up to 1 year
• License revocation lasting at least 1 year

The penalties for first-offense DWAI are lighter for alcohol offenses than they are for drug or combination offenses.  A first-time DWAI with alcohol may result in penalties that include:

• A fine ranging from $300 to $500
• A jail sentence of up to 15 days
• License suspension lasting up to 90 days

Penalties for drugged or drunk driving get more severe as the defendant accumulates more offenses, in which case the charges may rise to the level of a Class E or even Class D felony.  The consequences of a second DWI, a second combination DWAI, or a second drug DWAI – all of which are Class E felonies – may include:

• A fine ranging from $1,000 to $5,000
• A prison sentence of up to 4 years
• License revocation for at least 1 year

A second aggravated DUI within 10 years of the original offense is also a Class E felony, and will result in the same set of penalties, except for the license revocation, which will last for at least 18 months.

The penalties for a third DWI,  a third combination DWAI, or a third drug DWAI – all of which are Class D felonies – may include:

• A fine ranging from $2,000 to $10,000
• A prison sentence of up to 7 years
• License revocation for at least 1 year

A third aggravated DWI within 10 years is also a Class D felony, and will lead to the same consequences listed above, with the exception of the license revocation, which is extended to 18 months.

Brooklyn DWI Defense Attorneys Handling Felony and Misdemeanor Drunk Driving Charges

The Brooklyn DUI attorneys of Sullivan & Galleshaw handle arrests and criminal cases throughout the borough, including but not limited to Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bensonhurst, Borough Park, Brighton Beach, Bushwick, Canarsie, Coney Island, Flatbush and East Flatbush, Farragut, Flatlands, Fort Greene, Kensington, Midwood, Prospect Heights, Red Hook, Sheepshead Bay, Starrett City, Williamsburg, and Windsor Terrace.

Bringing more than 30 years of combined experience to each case we handle, we are committed to protecting our clients’ Constitutional rights while fighting for a favorable outcome to your case.  Various legal defenses may be utilized to fight DUI charges in Brooklyn, and our New York DWI lawyers will examine your case from every angle to develop a proactive and aggressive strategy designed to minimize penalties and get you back to your normal life as soon as possible.  We may even be able to have your case dismissed.

Do not wait to get quality legal representation if you or a loved one was arrested for drunk driving in Brooklyn.  Call the law offices of Sullivan & Galleshaw immediately at (800) 730-0135 for a free consultation with our experienced criminal attorneys.