Long Island DWI Defense Attorneys Serving Suffolk & Nassau Counties

If you or a loved one was accused of driving while intoxicated, it’s important to contact an experienced Long Island DWI lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights. Our criminal defense attorneys serve clients throughout Suffolk and Nassau County. Schedule a free consultation today and let our 25 years of experience work for you.

In New York state, it is illegal to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you are arrested based on an accusation like this, you may be charged with “driving while intoxicated” (DWI) or “driving under the influence” (DUI). Although each state defines DWI slightly differently, driving while intoxicated is illegal nationwide. In New York, a driver with a blood alcohol content level of 0.08% or higher can be charged. Facing a DWI charge is an incredibly nerve-racking experience. This is especially true if you do not have much experience with the criminal justice system. Many people believe that a DWI charge is frivolous or inconsequential. This is a mistaken impression.

DWI charges can result in a range of severe penalties. If you are facing an accusation of driving while intoxicated, you should secure legal representation as soon as possible. Contacting an experienced attorney will give you the best chance of securing a positive outcome in your case. The skilled Long Island DWI lawyers at the Matera Law Firm will work hard for you. We have plenty of experience in representing those who are accused of driving while under the influence. Our legal team knows how to handle any type of DWI case, no matter what the circumstances may be.

When you are accused of a crime, do not wait. Contact the Matera Law firm to speak with the best criminal defense attorneys in Long Island, NY. We believe that every accused person deserves a strong legal defense. Our attorneys have more than 25 years of combined experience and we will fight for you. DWI FAQs

Consulting with a DWI Lawyer About Your Case

If you are facing accusations of driving while intoxicated, consulting an attorney is crucial. A skilled legal professional can examine the facts of your case to determine the best course of action. The laws surrounding DWIs in Long Island are complex. Each charge involves a unique set of circumstances.

While you may not know which facts are most legally relevant, our DWI lawyers will assess every possible defense strategy in your case. At The Matera Law Firm, we provide new clients with a free initial legal consultation. During this meeting, we will review your case in detail and help you to understand your legal prospects. When you schedule a consultation with the Matera Law Firm, it is helpful to bring the following:

• Police reports
• Relevant medical records
• Any prior criminal record
• Your previous driving records
• Contact information for any witnesses

Our accomplished Suffolk and Nassau County DWI attorneys have a track record of securing positive outcomes for those who are accused of DWI. Do not take this type of accusation lightly. Contact the premier legal team in Long Island, NY.

A History of Protecting Our Clients

The DWI lawyers at the Matera Law Firm have plenty of experience in advocating for those who are accused of driving while intoxicated. Consider the following example. A client of the Matera Law Firm was arrested and charged with DWI in Nassau County. Our attorneys attended several days of hearings with our client. Through those hearings, we leveraged our legal expertise to convince the District Attorney’s office of our client’s innocence. The District Attorney’s office dropped the charges against our client. Instead of the initial DWI charge, our client was able to enter a plea for a minor traffic violation–not using a seatbelt. This is only one example of our experience in securing positive outcomes for our clients. If you have been accused of driving under the influence in Long Island, it is vital to speak with a skilled DWI lawyer.

What Types of DWI Charges Are There in New York?

While you might think that all DWI charges are the same, this view is mistaken. There are two distinct types of charges for driving while intoxicated. They are known as per se and impairment charges. While these two types of charges both fall under the category of DWI, they involve different claims. Oftentimes, when you are arrested on a DWI charge, the prosecution will file both types of claims against you. They do this in hopes that at least one charge will stick.

Per Se

This type of DWI charge requires the prosecution to prove that there was a certain amount of alcohol or drugs in the driver’s body at the time of the arrest. For a per se DWI charge, the prosecution does not need to show that the driver’s behavior was affected by the substance. For a per se charge to stick, a prosecutor needs to show that the driver had a blood-alcohol level of at least 0.08%. In some cases, the required level is lower. To discuss the specifics of your DWI case with a legal professional, contact the Matera Law Firm.

Impairment

An impairment claim is what comes to mind for most people when they think of a DWI charge. To secure an impairment DWI conviction, a prosecutor must prove that the driver’s abilities were affected to some extent. Typically, the more impairment that a driver was experiencing, the more severe the potential penalties will be. It is important to note that DWI charges in Long Island do not only apply to alcohol consumption. When a driver has used other intoxicating or illegal substances, it can result in a conviction.

At The Matera Law Firm, we know how to handle this type of criminal case. No matter what the circumstances of the accusation may be, we can help. Let our expert DWI lawyers assess the facts of your case and build a strong defense to protect your rights.

What Are Some Common DWI Lawyer Defenses?

As we mentioned above, every DWI case involves a unique set of circumstances. With that being said, there are several common defenses against this type of criminal charge. Contacting an experienced New York DWI lawyer will ensure that you have the best defense possible. Some of the most common defenses against a charge of driving while intoxicated include:

Undermining the Claim that You Were “Driving”

One of the requirements for a DWI conviction is to prove that the accused person was driving. Suppose that you were arrested for a DWI, but at the time of the arrest, you were sleeping in the car. In some instances, this could present a viable defense against the claim that you were driving.

Challenging the Claim of Intoxication

The other element of a DWI prosecution is showing that the driver was intoxicated at the time of the arrest. As we mentioned above, there are two primary types of intoxication claims. In some DWI cases, the prosecution will submit chemical test results to show that the defendant’s blood alcohol content level was elevated. One possible strategy is to challenge the legitimacy of such results. This type of defense often involves expert witness testimony.

Challenging Police Testimony

Another common tactic in DWI cases is to challenge the testimony of the police officer who made the arrest. If the officer’s observations are incorrect or misleading, it will be much harder to prove that the driver was impaired. Regardless of the circumstances of your arrest, it is important to secure legal representation. Hiring an experienced DWI lawyer will give you the highest likelihood of successfully fighting the charges against you.

Contact An Experienced Long Island DWI Lawyer at the Matera Law Firm

If you have been accused of driving while intoxicated, contact the premier legal team at the Matera Law Firm. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss the facts of your case. Our Long Island DWI lawyers have more than 25 years of combined experience. We will fight hard to protect your rights and secure a resolution in your DWI case. Contact us today for a free consultation. Follow us on Facebook for daily updates!