For many, Christmas is the most exciting time of year. It involves sharing gifts, time off of work and spending time together with friends and family members.  For on-duty law enforcement, Christmas represents something else. The number of impaired drivers increases at this time of year and law enforcement tends to be extra vigilant.  What can you do to reduce your risk of DWI charges this Christmas?  Find somewhere to stay There is nothing wrong with having a drink during the holidays. However, the reality is that drinking and driving just don’t mix. That’s why it can be benefi ..read more

It is safe to say that New York State sees a lot of local and international traffic. As you might imagine, the police in our state write a lot of traffic tickets. Like many, you may be tempted to put away your tickets and forget about them, but that could lead to more trouble than you want to take on. When left unaddressed, here are some possible consequences of unresolved traffic citations. Expensive fines The price of anything can increase, including the fines associated with traffic violations. You may expect to face only a modest fine for a speeding ticket, but it can reach as high as $600 ..read more

You may be surprised to learn that Thanksgiving Eve has another, unfortunate nickname (or two). Some call it “Drinksgiving,” while others prefer “Blackout Wednesday.” Both refer to the night before Thanksgiving, which happens to be the biggest night for bar sales of the year. It’s also one of the top five holidays of the year that are known for alcohol consumption. Learn more about this unofficial holiday and how to avoid getting caught up in a drunk driving dragnet. Why is it such a big drinking holiday? There are a few reasons why Thanksgiving Eve has become such a major holiday involving dr ..read more

Traffic tickets are annoying and inconvenient, but they do not impose any real consequences, right? Wrong—this is just one of many misconceptions most motorists have about traffic tickets. In truth, tickets can lead to fines and higher insurance premiums and could even threaten your driving privileges. Before you brush off your ticket and hope the matter will eventually drop, learn the truth about traffic violations and your legal options. Get started right now by disregarding these common myths. Myth 1. You can ignore out-of-state tickets Long ago, it may have been possible to evade a traffic ..read more

The upcoming winter holidays are filled with festivities and family gatherings – and alcohol often plays a big part in making sure all those group events are merry. Nothing puts a damper on a good time, however, like charges of driving while intoxicated (DWI). Here in New York, conviction on a first offense can net you a fine of up to $1,000, a year in jail and the loss of your license for at least six months – and that’s before you consider collateral costs, like the public embarrassment, court costs and increased insurance rates. So, what can you do to make certain that you won’t end up on t ..read more

A first-time DWI conviction can change your life in several ways. You will likely lose your driving privileges and face substantial financial loss (fines, expenses, etc.). Nothing feels worse than a first DWI experience, except perhaps second and subsequent convictions. Each time you appear before a judge on DWI charges, you can expect the possible penalties to worsen if convicted. You may feel there is no way out of your situation, but perhaps you can show the court you deserve another chance. What should you consider? Since most judges have seen and heard it all, you may feel they aren’t goi ..read more

An adult with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in New York may be eligible for some of the best-paid blue-collar jobs available. Commercial drivers often receive competitive salaries and comprehensive benefit packages. However, they frequently work very long shifts and have to abide by relatively strict rules for their behavior in traffic to earn those wages. For example, those with a CDL in New York are subject to very strict rules about impaired driving in particular. There are a few unique ways in which drunk driving rules that apply to those with a CDL. The impairment threshold is lower ..read more

The police have the right to pull over drivers who are acting suspiciously. In most cases, a driver may be pulled over because they may seem drunk. This may happen if the driver is running red lights, swerving between lanes or braking inconsistently.  During a traffic stop, the police will take several measures to collect evidence and determine the status of a driver. The police may start by questioning drivers, such as if they were drinking, where they were going or if they understand why they were pulled over. The police may then ask the driver to do a sobriety test. A driver may have t ..read more

When defending yourself against a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) charge in New York, you need more than just a basic understanding of the legal system. Navigating the penalties of DWI charges requires a strategic approach and a thorough understanding of the elements that can make or break your defense. Here are three essential elements that can significantly enhance your DWI defense, setting you on a path to a favorable outcome. 1. Irrefutable evidence A successful DWI defense is built on a foundation of compelling evidence. This can be achieved by thoroughly scrutinizing and analyzing the pr ..read more

Given that traffic laws are slightly different in every jurisdiction, those who are not from New York could very easily end up violating traffic statutes unintentionally. And, ultimately, an out-of-state license doesn’t automatically prompt an officer conducting a traffic stop to let someone off with a warning. There are also certain traffic laws that people regularly violate despite knowing about them. Many people don’t think it is a major issue to drive through a four-way stop without completely slowing their vehicle or to drive at speeds far over the current speed limit, for example. The ma ..read more