On Long Island, where driving is often a more realistic option than the mass transit and taxis commonly used in Manhattan, the Suffolk County Office of the District Attorney has cracked down on DWI (Driving While Intoxicated). New York State has a comprehensive program (STOP-DWI) aimed specifically at lowering the incidence of traffic accidents related to alcohol, and it empowers county governments to address the education about, enforcement of, and prosecution of DWI offenses. Because this criminal act is such a point of focus throughout the state, a Suffolk County DWI Lawyer at Stephen Bilkis & Associates will advise you to speak with us for free guidance about how to counter the aggressively pursued DWI charges you may be facing in Suffolk County.

DWI can also be referred to as DUI, or driving under the influence. It is a crime because it impairs your judgment and coordination—and therefore your ability to drive safely. Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) will determine whether you are technically DWI, and it typically depends on the amount of alcohol you’ve consumed, the amount of food you’ve had, the period of time over which you’ve had your drinks, as well as your weight and gender. Operating any motor vehicle when you have a BAC of .08 or higher means you have committed the crime of DWI. Your BAC will possibly be measured by a police officer who administers a breathalyzer test at the scene where you are pulled over. Your Suffolk County DWI Lawyer will inform you that a refusal to take a breathalyzer will not in itself be considered as criminal behavior, and it can’t automatically be viewed as admitting you are guilty. However, be aware that a breathalyzer refusal entails risk—it may lead to the revoking of your driver’s license for a year or more.

Each Suffolk County Criminal Lawyer in our office understands that many people who have been arrested on a DWI charge have no previous criminal record. Frequently, they had one drink too many after work or at a party. Regardless, if you are stopped under suspicion of DWI, you can face severe consequences—including fines, the loss of your driver’s license, and potentially even jail time. So if you have been caught driving under the influence in Suffolk County—or in Brooklyn (Kings County), Manhattan, Staten Island (Richmond County), Queens, or up in the Bronx contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates right away, because you can face various penalties and the sooner you have a voice of experience on your side, the better.

Talk to a Suffolk County DWI Lawyer by calling us at 1800 NY NY LAW. We will fight for your rights throughout your DWI case in Suffolk County Criminal Court and, as necessary, with the DMV. Meet with us for a free initial consult in our Suffolk County office, in our Nassau County location, or in New York City—come to our Manhattan location, meet us in Queens, or come to the Bronx, Brooklyn, or Staten Island. And if you’re in Westchester County, we can also arrange a meeting in our office there.