212-300-5196

Service & Results.

nyc criminal lawyers over 30 years of experienceWe Know How To Win Cases

Spodek Law Group handles tough cases
nationwide, that demand excellence.

Get Free Consultation

Faced 5+ Years in Prison

People Vs Joseph Amico

Covered by NYDaily News. Las Vegas man accused of threatening a prominent attorney and making vile remarks.

Faced 10+ Years in Prison

People Vs. Anna Sorokin

Covered by New York Times, and other outlets. Fake heiress accused of conning the city’s wealthy, and has an HBO special being made about her.

Faced 3+ Years in Prison

People Vs. Genevieve Sabourin

Accused of stalking Alec Baldwin. The case garnered nationwide attention, with USAToday, NYPost, and other media outlets following it closely.

Faced Potential Charges

Ghislaine Maxwell Juror

Juror who prompted calls for new Ghislaine Maxwell trial turns to lawyer who defended Anna Sorokin.

Why Choose Us

Clients can use our portal to track the status of their case, stay in touch with us, upload documents, and more.

Regardless of the type of situation you're facing, our attorneys are here to help you get quality representation.

We can setup consultations in person, over Zoom, or over the phone to help you. Bottom line, we're here to help you win your case.

Spodek
Law in the Media

View All

Meet Todd Spodek

WE PROVIDE WHITE GLOVE SERVICE TO CLIENTS
WHO WANT MORE FROM THEIR ATTORNEY

The Spodek Law Group understands how delicate high-profile cases can be, and has a strong track record of getting positive outcomes. Our lawyers service a clientele that is nationwide. With offices in both LA and NYC, and cases all across the country - Spodek Law Group is a top tier law firm.

Todd Spodek is a second generation attorney with immense experience. He has many years of experience handling 100’s of tough and hard to win trials. He’s been featured on major news outlets, such as New York Post, Newsweek, Fox 5 New York, South China Morning Post, Insider.com, and many others.

In 2022, Netflix released a series about one of Todd’s clients: Anna Delvey/Anna Sorokin.

Why Clients Choose Spodek Law Group

The reason is simple: clients want white glove service, and lawyers who can win. Every single client who works with the Spodek Law Group is aware that the attorney they hire could drastically change the outcome of their case. Hiring the Spodek Law Group means you’re taking your future seriously. Our lawyers handle cases nationwide, ranging from NYC to LA. Our philosophy is fair and simple: our nyc criminal lawyers only take on clients who we know will benefit from our services.

We’re selective about the clients we work with, and only take on cases we know align with our experience – and where we can make a difference. This is different from other law firms who are not invested in your success nor care about your outcome.

If you have a legal issue, call us for a consultation.
We are available 24/7, to help you with any – and all, challenges you face.

New York Vehicle and Traffic Law 1192.4-a: Driving while ability impaired by the combined influence of drugs or of alcohol and any drug or drugs

By Spodek Law Group | May 2, 2017
(Last Updated On: October 15, 2023)

Last Updated on: 15th October 2023, 12:54 pm

Driving While Ability Impaired by the Combined Influence of Drugs or Alcohol and Drugs in New York

Getting behind the wheel while impaired by any substance is dangerous and illegal in New York. Many people are familiar with driving while intoxicated (DWI) laws that prohibit driving after drinking alcohol. However, New York also has laws that specifically prohibit driving while impaired by drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol.

New York Vehicle and Traffic Law 1192.4-a makes it a crime to drive while your ability is impaired by the combined influence of drugs or alcohol and any drugs. This law covers situations where you have taken multiple drugs that impair your driving, or you have mixed drugs with alcohol before driving. Let’s take a closer look at this law and what it means for drivers in New York.

What Does the Law Prohibit?

Under VTL 1192.4-a, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while your ability to drive is impaired by:

  • The combined influence of multiple drugs
  • The combined influence of alcohol and any drug or drugs

This law covers any situation where you have taken two or more substances that impair your ability to drive safely. The substances could include illegal drugs, prescription medications, or over-the-counter medications. It does not matter if you have a valid prescription – taking those drugs and driving can still be illegal if it impairs your driving ability.

Penalties for VTL 1192.4-a

A first conviction under VTL 1192.4-a is a misdemeanor offense. The penalties include:

  • Up to 1 year in jail
  • Fines of $500 – $1000
  • License suspension for at least 6 months
  • Possible community service
  • Possible probation up to 3 years

Harsher penalties apply if you have prior convictions for DWI-related offenses within the past 10 years. A second conviction becomes a class E felony, while a third conviction is a class D felony.[3]

Defending Against VTL 1192.4-a Charges

There are viable defenses against charges under this law. A skilled New York DWI defense lawyer can review the details of your case and determine the best defense strategy. Here are some examples of potential defenses:

  • No probable cause for traffic stop – Any evidence obtained after an unlawful traffic stop can be suppressed. If there was no valid reason to pull you over, the entire case could potentially be dismissed.
  • No actual impairment – The prosecution must still prove you were impaired and not just that drugs were present in your system. You may be able to argue the drugs did not impair your driving ability based on your performance on sobriety testing.
  • Illegal blood draw – Blood evidence can be suppressed if your consent or the blood draw itself was not conducted properly according to New York law.
  • Inaccurate blood testing – Faulty storage or testing of your blood sample could undermine the accuracy of blood test results.

An experienced DWI lawyer can thoroughly analyze the details of your traffic stop, testing procedures, and other evidence to build the strongest defense for your case.

Get Help from a New York DWI Lawyer

Driving while impaired by any substance is dangerous and against New York law. The penalties for VTL 1192.4-a convictions can be severe, especially for repeat offenses. Never ignore a DWI charge – get help from an attorney as soon as possible.

A skilled New York DWI defense lawyer understands the complexities of defending drug and alcohol-related driving cases. They can carefully examine the evidence, advise you of your rights and defense options, and represent your best interests in and out of court. Don’t leave your future to chance – get experienced legal help fighting your DWI charges.

In New York, if you’re charged with driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, the consequences you face will depend on the circumstances of your case, your background, and whether you have prior convictions. But it’s possible that you may lose your driving privileges, face jail time, or even be charged with a felony. However, you can fight your charges with the help of an experienced attorney.

Regarding driving while impaired by drugs, the seriousness of the charge largely depends on the type and amount of drugs in your system, as well as whether you’re taking legal prescription medications or illegal substances. New York has “per se” laws that make it easier to prosecute drivers under the influence of drugs. A criminal attorney can help you defend against these charges by examining the reasons for the traffic stop, the type of drugs you were using, and their potential effects on your driving ability.

Free Consultation

Testimonials

I was searching for a law firm with some power to help me deal with a warrant in New York . After 6 days I decided to go with Spodek Law Group. It helped that This law firm is well respected by not only the top law firms in New York , but the DA , Judge as well. I...

~Fonder Brandon

5 Stars
It was my good fortune to retain Spodek Law Group for representation for my legal needs. From the beginning, communication was prompt and thorough. Todd, Kenneth and Alex were the first people I worked with and they all made me, and my company Qumana skincare feel comfortable and confident that the team was going to work hard for me. Everything...

~A G

5 Stars
After meeting with several law firms, I chose the Spodek Law Group not only for their professionalism and experience, but for the personal attention given to me right from the initial consultation. It is important to recognize how crucial having the right legal team is when faced with potentially life altering events that impact families and the lives of loved...

~George Cherubini

Spodek Law Group

White Glove Service

We Provide Superior Service, Excellent Results, At A Level Superior To Other Criminal Defense Law Firms. Regardless Of Where Your Case Is, Nationwide, We Can Help You.
View More

Request Free Consultation

Please fill out the form below to receive a free consultation, we will respond to
your inquiry within 24-hours guaranteed.

NYC

85 Broad St 30th Floor, New York, NY 10004

212-300-5196

get directions

Los Angeles

611 S Catalina St Suite 222, Los Angeles, CA 90005

212-300-5196

get directions

QUEENS

35-37 36th St, 2nd Floor Astoria, NY 11106

212-300-5196

get directions

BROOKLYN

195 Montague St., 14th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201

212-300-5196

get directions
Call Now!