Manhattan, NYC DWI Defense Attorney

Lawyer in New York City for Clients Charged With Driving While Intoxicated in Brooklyn, Queens and The Bronx

In the state of New York, it is illegal to drive on a public road, street, or highway when you are impaired due to the consumption of alcohol, legal or illegal drugs, or any other substance. While impaired driving is against the law in all states, the specific name of the criminal charge associated with such behavior may vary. Under New York law, the offense that encompasses drunk driving is known as "driving while intoxicated (DWI). Other states refer to the offense as driving under the influence (DUI)—enough states, in fact, that the term "DUI" is often used interchangeably with "DWI".

At The Law Firm of Gregory J. Watford, Esq., PLLC, we know that a conviction on DWI charges can lead to consequences that affect your family life, career, personal reputation, and your financial security. An arrest and conviction are also matters of public record, which means they will be visible on background checks conducted by employers and others. With this in mind, our team will do everything we can to protect your future when you are facing DWI charges in New York City.

DWI Defense Counsel in White Plains and Mineola

Attorney Gregory J. Watford is a former criminal prosecutor with more than 25 years of legal experience. He also has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. As a criminal investigator, Mr. Watford became intimately familiar with the processes used by the police in a wide variety of criminal cases, including DWI cases. As an assistant district attorney for New York County, he learned a great deal about the prosecution of such cases.

If you have been arrested on charges of DWI, it is important to speak to an attorney right away. You have the right to legal counsel, and without a lawyer present during your processing, you could inadvertently make statements that give the police and prosecutors additional evidence to be used against you. When you put Mr. Watford on your side, however, he will ensure that you are treated with dignity and respect and that your rights are not violated or compromised.

Understanding DWI Charges in New York State

There are several different charges that you could be facing if you are accused of driving drunk in the state of New York. The most common is DWI, which means that you are suspected of having operated a motor vehicle on a public road with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. DWI is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense, and the charge can be "bumped up" to a Class E felony for a second offense within 10 years. Subsequent offenses will bring more severe charges and penalties. If your BAC is 0.18 or higher, you could face aggravated DWI charges.

Depending on your DWI history, you could also face criminal charges for driving while ability impaired by alcohol (DWAI/Alcohol) for operating a vehicle with a BAC that is higher than 0.05 but less than 0.08. Charges are also possible for driving while impaired by drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol.

No matter what type of charges you are facing, our team is ready to help you. We will conduct a careful review of your arrest, including the basis for the traffic stop, the behavior of the arresting officer, and more. Our goal is to find the strategic details that could be useful in building a solid defense. We will also work with you in exploring options such as plea agreements for avoiding a DWI conviction whenever possible.

Get the Help You Need Today

For more information about The Law Firm of Gregory J. Watford, Esq., PLLC and how we handle DWI charges in New York City, contact our office. Call 646-580-6675 to schedule a confidential consultation and case review today. We serve clients in Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau County, Westchester County, Rockland County, and the surrounding communities.