Trusted DWI Lawyer Rochester NY: Experienced DUI Defense
Being charged with a DWI can be a daunting experience, especially if you are not familiar with the legal system. The consequences of a DWI charge can be severe and long-lasting, affecting your personal and professional life. That’s why it is crucial to seek the help of an experienced DWI lawyer Rochester, NY trusts. In […]
Top-Rated Rochester DWI Attorney: Aggressive Representation
Being charged with DWI can be a daunting and stressful experience. It not only affects your driving privileges but also impacts your personal and professional life. In Rochester, NY, the legal process for DWI charges can be complicated and overwhelming for anyone who is unfamiliar with it. This is why you need an experienced and […]
Rochester DWI Attorney: Your Guide to Legal Defense
Have you recently been charged by a police officer with a DWI in Rochester, New York? We understand that this can be an overwhelming and stressful experience. It is critical to remember that you have legal options available to you, and seeking the help of an experienced DWI attorney can make all the difference. In […]
How DUIs work for out-of-state drivers
Each U.S. state has its own specific rules on handling driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and drug cases, and New York is no exception. But what sort of penalties can you expect if you’re charged with DUI as an out-of-state driver in New York? Will you have to pay any fines? Do you […]
3 reasons field sobriety tests might not be accurate
Law enforcement officers frequently use field sobriety tests to determine whether a driver is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, these tests may not always provide reliable results due to various reasons. This article will explore some of the reasons why field sobriety tests may not produce accurate results. 1. Inherent inaccuracy […]
Common reasons for license revocation in New York
Some drivers brush off minor traffic violations, thinking that after paying the fines, they can just continue about their day. However, multiple traffic violations and serious violations such as DWI can lead to license revocation. These are some of the usual grounds for the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to cancel one’s driver’s license permanently. […]
What happens if I decline the breathaylzer test during a DWI police stop?
You’re driving on State Route 36 when a flash of blue and red appears in your rear-view mirror. You pull over to the shoulder and the police car follows. The trooper asks if you have been drinking and wants you to take a roadside breath test to find out. Should you? Whether you take the […]
Common legal defenses for DWI charges
A DWI or DWAI conviction can lead to severe penalties that disrupt your life. You could face fees, a license suspension and even jail time. If you are dealing with a DWI charge in New York, you have the right to defend yourself and fight for a fair outcome to your case. Illegitimate traffic stops […]
3 FAQs about DWI charges
Your choice to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs comes with many consequences, both emotionally and financially. If charged with a DWI in New York State, knowing the possible repercussions may help you better handle what comes next. 1. What penalties may I face? New York state takes DWIs seriously. Depending on the […]
Where can adults use marijuana legally?
New York drug laws changed to legalize cannabis for adults aged 21 and older. The legislation allows people to legally carry three ounces of dry buds and 24 ounces of a concentrated product. As with other substances, such as cigarettes and alcohol, New York State does place restrictions on where you can use marijuana. Basic rules […]
Medications and impaired driving
You probably already know that you could receive a DWI charge in New York for driving under the influence of certain medications. If an officer finds that you seem dizzy, speak unclearly or seem tired, the officer could arrest you for impaired driving. A better understanding of the impacts of certain medications gives you the […]
Do you legally need to submit to a chemical test?
When a police officer pulls you over on suspicion of a DWI, they cannot force you to take a breath test. However, you face several legal penalties for refusing. According to the New York DMV, driving means you fall under the law of implied consent for chemical tests. Even though the state considers driving to be […]
What factors can affect your blood alcohol concentration?
You have probably gone out to dinner with family or friends and had some drinks. You may have driven home afterward thinking you were not drunk. Any amount of alcohol can impair your ability to drive. The safest course of action is not to drive after you have consumed alcohol. In New York, the law […]
How a DWI can affect your college education
A conviction for driving while under the influence of alcohol comes with serious penalties. As a college student, you may wonder how such a conviction could impact your education. You should understand how driving while impaired could impact your academic career before you get behind the wheel. You will not lose your federal financial student […]
Can you protect your license after a DWI conviction?
Your driver’s license often represents much more to you than simply the ability to drive. It lets you live your life in the way you wish, letting you take road trips with families, pick up kids from school, attend your daily job, complete your chores and handle all of your medical needs. It allows you […]
Did your DWI stop and arrest meet legal requirements?
Driving while intoxicated in New York is a crime that often includes fines and jail time. Depending on your history and the details of your case, you may lose driving privileges if convicted. However, a DWI arrest does not guarantee a conviction. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, drug and alcohol-related traffic […]
What drivers should know about ignition interlock devices
Ignition interlock devices have pros and cons. They allow drivers with convictions of impaired driving to keep their licenses and continue driving for necessary reasons. However, they are also inconvenient and cost a lot of money. According to the New York State Unified Court System, when a driver’s sentence involves an IID, the state places a […]
What are standardized field sobriety tests?
Officers have many tools in their arsenal when dealing with potential cases of DUI. If they pull you over on a routine traffic stop and anticipate that you may have hit the road while intoxicated, what will they do? They will likely require you to take a field sobriety test, first. And you are most […]
Yes, your cold medicine could lead to a DWI
If you have ever taken a cold medicine that contained diphenhydramine, an antihistamine or decongestants, you may realize that it’s going to make you tired. This is particularly likely if you take a medication that is labeled as “nighttime” medicine or a “sleep aid.” Even if you aren’t taking a nighttime cold medicine, it’s important to […]
How to prevent a DUI in the future
If you have recently been arrested on DUI or DWI charges, you will likely be worried about your future, as well facing legal charges. This arrest may have been a reality check, and whether or not you were actually intoxicated at the time of your arrest, you will likely be worried about whether you will […]
Alcohol: It affects you at every level
You probably know that you cannot legally drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher. However, did you know that you could be at risk of crashing and still be impaired below that level? Even a small amount of alcohol could impact you by impairing the way your body works. Here is more […]
Driving drugged: You may already be guilty by mistake
guilty of drugged driving? Easily enough: Prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs can and do cause impaired functioning in many people. Some may not even realize that they’re impaired when they get behind the wheel of their car. What drugs tend to lead to impaired driving? Almost any drug that has a mind-altering effect can leave you too […]
How a DWI can impact your ability to enter Canada
The consequences of a DWI conviction are far-reaching
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a serious crime with serious penalties. For that reason, it’s best to do whatever it takes to avoid putting yourself in a bad position. However, everyone makes mistakes, so it’s not out of the question that you could get behind the wheel after you’ve had too much alcohol to drink. […]
Recreational marijuana is legal in New Jersey. Where does New York stand?
New Jersey is one of the most recent states to jump on the bandwagon of legalizing recreational marijuana, joining places like Washington, Colorado and Michigan. While this form of marijuana is strictly controlled and taxed, like alcohol, it is now legal for those without a medical card to buy it and use it recreationally. As […]
Get an attorney if you’re facing citations and charges after a crash
If you are facing traffic citations, you may also face additional penalties. That’s why it’s a good idea to talk to your attorney. For example, if you were driving and are now accused of a DUI, you could also face reckless driving, speeding or other citations or charges. It’s worth taking some time to get […]
Your license protection options when facing DWI charges
A driving license, for most people, is not simply a document. It enables them to live their lives as they wish — from getting to work so that they can earn an income, to picking up their kids from school, to taking road trips with their family. Therefore, when a person loses their driver’s license, […]
You have every right to question a Breathalyzer test
It’s your right to question every aspect of your arrest, from the Breathalyzer test you received to the stop itself. As someone accused of a crime, it is worth your time to have your attorney look into your case and talk to you about mounting a defense. You should take time to protect your rights. […]
Police test blood, urine, breath or saliva in New York DUI cases
When police pull someone over for suspicion of impaired driving, it is common for officers to talk to the individual to see if they show signs of impairment or if they will admit to ingesting alcohol or other drugs before getting behind the wheel. If an individual confesses to consuming intoxicating substances or if they […]
Is there a standard of impairment for drugs when driving?
Any kind of impaired driving charge can bring major consequences, ranging from career implications to increased insurance costs. However, driving while ability impaired (DWAI/Drug) or drugged driving charges may carry increased social stigma and secondary consequences for those who wind up convicted or who plead guilty to such charges when compared with standard alcohol-related charges. With alcohol-related […]
How do you know if you’re too drunk to drive?
You stop over at your brother’s house for a bite to eat and indulge in a couple of beers while you’re there. Or, you’re out with your friends and you have a few drinks with dinner. You drank slowly, had a full meal and you certainly don’t feel drunk — but are you really sober […]
Suspicion of DWI: What to do if you’re pulled over
If a police officer has any reason to believe you’re driving under the influence of alcohol, it’s almost guaranteed that they’ll pull you to the side of the road to investigate. Should this happen, it’s critical that you know what you should and shouldn’t do. It’s the steps you take during your traffic stop that […]
Yes, you can still get arrested for marijuana in New York
There has been a massive wave of legal changes regarding marijuana in New York. Given how laws have changed in recent years, some people are under the mistaken impression that unless they get caught selling it, they won’t get charged for any kind of marijuana-related offense. Despite the much more permissive social attitudes about marijuana, […]
What are common DWI defenses?
The majority of people are aware of the dangers associated with drinking and driving. Alcohol impairs your ability to operate a motor vehicle, while also increasing the risk of trouble with law enforcement. Even with knowledge of these risks, many people make the mistake of drinking and driving. If this happens to you and it […]
Alcohol’s affect on the body
Seeing flashing blue and red lights in your rearview mirror may send a shockwave of panic through your body. Regardless of the circumstances, getting pulled over by law enforcement is stressful and takes a real toll on reactions and responses. Consuming alcohol only makes this natural adrenaline-fueled response worse. If you had a couple of […]
Can you refuse a breath test?
Even if you feel sober enough to drive, driving under the influence can cause erratic driving behavior like speeding, not fully stopping at a stop sign or weaving between lanes. These traffic violations put you at a higher risk of an officer pulling you over. The cop may then notice that you have been drinking […]
What should you know about receiving your first DWI?
If you are driving in New York with a blood alcohol concentration between 0.08% and 0.18%, and law enforcement pulls you over, authorities will charge you with driving while intoxicated. The legal repercussions of a first DWI vary from the repercussions of a second or third DWI in New York. Learn what happens when you face […]
How are DWI convictions punished in New York?
Drivers in New York should be aware of the fact that the state is one of the harshest when it comes to doling out penalties for DWI-related convictions. Even first time offenders may find themselves facing steep and unavoidable consequences. New York Laws takes a look at the vehicle traffic laws that involve the consumption of […]
How can a DWI conviction haunt you?
As New York has such stringent DWI laws, drivers like you should understand that a DWI conviction can do more than just cost you money in fines. We at Sciarrino & Sciarrino, P.C., are here to explain the true damages that a DWI conviction can do. In the short term, there are financial burdens. You […]
Do I have to submit to a breath test in New York?
If an officer stops a driver in New York for suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, he or she will typically administer a breath test. This test determines the driver’s blood alcohol concentration, with a legal limit of 0.08%. The legal BAC for a driver who is younger than 21 is […]
The signs of intoxication at different BACs
Blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, is the percentage of alcohol in your bloodstream. In New York, you are legally drunk if you have a BAC of at least 0.08%. There are various factors that determine BAC levels: But how do BAC percentages look in real life? While it may vary from person to person, here […]
The consequences of a first-time DWI in New York
Considered a serious offense in the state, New York imposes tough penalties for driving while intoxicated (DWI). These may profoundly affect people’s immediate freedom, as well as their future rights and opportunities. Therefore, it is important for motorists to understand the potential consequences of drunk driving charges in the state. According to the New York […]
4 factors that impact your BAC
When police administer a breathalyzer test, they test a person’s blood alcohol concentration. In the state of New York, the police will automatically arrest a person for driving while under the influence if he or she has a BAC of at least 0.08 percent. Determining a person’s BAC is a tricky science. There is an array […]