Suffolk County DWI Lawyer

Experienced DWI Attorney in Suffolk County

New York State imposes strict penalties for individuals accused of and arrested for driving while intoxicated. These cases are heavily prosecuted, and whether you were arrested while driving on Moriches-Riverhead Road or after a night out with friends in Bohemia, it is essential that you hire a Suffolk County DWI lawyer who can advocate for you. At Greco Neyland, PC, our Suffolk County criminal defense lawyers are here to serve you today and safeguard your future.

Greco Neyland, PC: Your Experienced DWI Defense Law Firm

For years, the Suffolk County DWI attorneys at Greco Neyland, PC, have been protecting the rights of men, women, and minors who find themselves facing driving while intoxicated charges throughout the State of New York. We have tried countless cases and have been defending clients with fierce advocacy and a passion for protection under the law. We are here to deploy proven defense strategies for clients against harsh DWI laws and DWI penalties.

Just because you have been arrested for an alleged DWI does not mean that you are automatically convicted. Our dedicated lawyers are here to understand every aspect of your arrest and pursue the most favorable outcome available for your case. Allow us to challenge the supposed evidence, including the results of the traffic stop and any chemical or field sobriety testing.

With our skilled lawyers and former prosecutors on your side, your crime charges may be reduced or dismissed, or you could even be acquitted. We advocate for you no matter the extent and severity of your DWI charge. When you hire our team, we won’t back down without giving your case our all.

Understanding DWI Charges in Suffolk County, NY

In New York, driving while intoxicated by drugs and/or alcohol is a serious criminal offense. This impairment can greatly affect your coordination, your overall judgement, and your ability to drive in a safe manner. Every year, around 30% of all traffic fatalities in the state are related to alcohol use, and in 2024, 11% of all arrests nationwide were for suspected drunk or drugged driving. When driving while intoxicated, the level of your overall impairment can depend on five factors, including:

• The amount of alcohol you have consumed
• The amount of food that was eaten before or while you were drinking
• The length of time during which you consumed said alcohol
• Your overall body weight
• Your gender

In New York, if you show any signs of intoxication or have a blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, of 0.08% or higher, you can be charged with a DWI. If you are a commercial driver, you can be arrested if your BAC is higher than 0.04%. There are several different DWI charges a person can face in Suffolk County, and it is important to understand the full nature of these charges in order to meet them with a proper defense. These charges include:

• DWAI: You could be charged with driving while ability impaired by alcohol if your blood alcohol concentration is greater than 0.05% but has not yet reached 0.08% or higher, or if you are showing other signs of impairment. For first-time DWAI offenders, you could face fines totaling anywhere between $300 and $500, up to 15 days of jail time, and the suspension of your driver’s license for 90 days.
• DWI: If your BAC is 0.08% or higher, or you are a commercial driver and your BAC is 0.04% or higher, you can be charged with driving while intoxicated, or DWI. For first-time offenders when no aggravated circumstances are present, you could face fines totaling anywhere between $500 and $1,000, prison time of up to one year, and the revocation of your driver’s license for at least six months.
• Aggravated DWI: When there are certain aggravating circumstances present in your DWI cases, the penalties you can face are only apt to increase. Aggravated DWI can occur if your BAC is 0.18% or higher. For first-time offenders, a conviction can result in fines totaling between $1,000 and $2,500, up to a year of jail time, and the revocation of your driver’s license for at least one year.
• DWAI/Drug: When you are arrested for driving while ability impaired by a single drug other than alcohol, you can face severe penalties. For first-time offenders, you can face fines totaling between $500 and $1,000, one year of incarceration, and the revocation of your license for at least six months. If this is a second offense, you can face fines between $ 1,000 and $ 5,000, four years of prison time, and license revocation for at least one year.
• DWAI/Combination: If you have been arrested for driving while ability impaired by a combination of drugs and alcohol, you can face fines totaling between $500 and $1,000, up to a year of prison time, and the revocation of your driver’s license for at least six months. If this is your second charge within 10 years, it is considered a class D felony, and you could face four years of prison time and $1,000-$5,000 in fines.
• Refusal Of Chemical Test: If you are pulled over for a suspected DWI in Suffolk County and you refuse to take any kind of chemical test, typically requiring breath, blood, or urine, you can face legal consequences. If this is your first DWI and refusal, you can face a $500 civil penalty fine, or a $550 civil penalty fine if you are a commercial driver, no jail time, and the revocation of your license for at least one year.
• Zero Tolerance: If you are a minor under the legal drinking age of 21 and are caught driving with a BAC of 0.02% to 0.07%, you are in violation of the state’s Zero Tolerance Law, and first-time offenders can face a $125 civil penalty, no jail time, and a license suspension for six months.

FAQs

When Do I Need to Hire a DWI Lawyer in Suffolk County?

It is essential that you hire a Suffolk County DWI attorney as soon as you can following your initial arrest. There are a number of forms of evidence that need to be collected in order for your attorney to provide you with the proper defense and prepare for trial. Your attorney is here to offer you legal guidance and support, and to negotiate with the prosecution for as favorable an outcome as possible.

What Are the Collateral Consequences of a DWI Conviction?

In New York, there are a multitude of criminal legal penalties you could face if convicted of a DWI. However, it is important to keep in mind that there are also a number of collateral consequences you could face as well. For example, individuals with a criminal record face a 30% unemployment rate across the U.S. You could also face difficulty when it comes to securing housing or if you are in the midst of a custody battle.

What Is Leandra’s Law in NY?

In NY, Leandra’s Law is a piece of state legislation named in honor of an 11-year-old girl who was killed while she rode inside a vehicle with an intoxicated mother of a friend. Under this law, adopted in 2009, first-time DWI offenders with a child 15 years old or younger in their car can be charged with a class E felony and face up to four years in prison. They can also have their license automatically suspended during the case.

What Elements Must Be Proven in a NY DWI Case?

In a New York DWI case, two elements need to be proven by the prosecution in order to obtain a conviction. First, the prosecution needs to show that the accused was in control of the vehicle. This doesn’t necessarily mean they were driving, but rather that they were sitting in the driver’s seat and had the ability to put the car in motion. There must also be evidence that the defendant was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Hire a DWI Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been arrested for a DWI in Suffolk County, New York, the sooner you hire a DWI lawyer, the sooner your case can be reviewed, and your defense can be mounted. We are here to dedicate our resources, time, and experience to your defense. You could be facing the loss of driving privileges, which can affect your life in so many ways. Now is not the time to hesitate when it comes to hiring an attorney you can trust.

When you are faced with a DWI, the seasoned team at Greco Neyland, PC can develop a defense tailored to your unique situation. We have the proficiency needed to understand every aspect of your DWI charge and elevate your defense to the necessary level. Your rights and future are our priority. We invite you to contact our offices today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can defend you against DWI charges in New York.