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When you’re facing a federal issue, you need an attorney whose going to be available 24/7 to help you get the results and outcome you need. The value of working with the Spodek Law Group is that we treat each and every client like a member of our family.
Suffolk County DWI Lawyers
If you’re facing a Suffolk County drunk driving charge, you might think that you don’t have many options. You might be under the impression that if you blow over the legal limit or if a law enforcement officer says that you’re too drunk to drive, you don’t have any defenses. This isn’t necessarily the case.
What is drunk driving in Suffolk County?
There are a number of different offenses that we call drunk driving in Suffolk County. These offenses include both being over a legal limit and being under the influence. DWI or driving while intoxicated is the most basic name for drunk driving in the State of New York. A drunk driving offense can range from a misdemeanor to a very serious felony, depending on your prior offenses.
To convict you of drunk driving per se, the state must prove that you operated a motor vehicle and that you did so with a blood alcohol level of a .08 or higher. To convict you of operating while ability impaired, the state must prove that you operated a motor vehicle while your ability to do so was impaired by alcohol, drugs or a combination of both. At this time, there’s no legal limit for drugs, so you can drive under the impairment of any amount of drugs, alcohol or a combination of both if the substances affect your ability to drive the vehicle.
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
Jail time
Usually the most worrisome penalty for a person charged with a drunk driving offense is jail time. They want to know how much time they can expect to serve in jail. For the most basic DWI offense, the answer is one year. It’s not uncommon for a person to serve less time than that if they can show the judge that they’re a strong candidate to complete probation successfully.
For repeat offenses, jail time becomes much longer much more likely. A second offense drunk driving conviction is a felony if it occurs within ten years of a prior offense. It comes with up to four years in prison, and an offender is almost certain to serve some time in jail. A third offense brings up to seven years in prison. You can work with a Suffolk County DWI attorney in order to work on ways to minimize your possible jail time.
License revocation
The next greatest hardship for most drunk driving offenders is a license revocation. This can range from six months to eighteen months. The factors that determine the length of suspension include the number of prior offenses, the level of alcohol intoxication and the exact charge.
Fines
Anyone with any kind of drunk driving conviction in Suffolk County must literally pay their debt to society. This usually means a substantial fine and even additional court costs. For a basic DWI conviction, fines begin at $500. These fines become must greater with every repeat offense, topping out at $10,000 for third and subsequent offenders.
Probation and rehabilitative services
A judge can place you on probation. You should consider this an alternative to jail. A term on probation might include community service. You might have to complete rehabilitative programs that help you address an alcohol or drug problem.
Defenses to drunk driving charges
There are many possible ways to defend yourself against a drunk driving charge. Of course, no two cases are alike, but it’s important to examine the state’s case against you for ways that they lack proof. What’s clad-iron proof to a state attorney might not be convincing at all to a jury, so it’s important not to take the state’s word for it that you’re guilty of the offense.
One common defense to a drunk driving charge is that the state didn’t have the right to stop your vehicle. To stop a vehicle to investigate a drunk driving charge, a law enforcement officer must have a reasonable, articulable suspicion that criminal activity is afoot. They can’t just claim that they knew you were drunk driving. If law enforcement can’t articulate that they saw you commit a traffic violation or that they had reason to believe you were drunk driving based on their observations, the state might throw out the entire case against you.
Another common defense is to examine the way the officer administers field sobriety tests. Lots of officers make up their own sobriety tests, even though these tests have no basis in science and don’t have anything to do with your ability to operate a motor vehicle. There are standardized tests that law enforcement officers should administer. These tests are the horizontal gaze nystagmus, the walk and turn and the one-leg stand. If the law enforcement officer didn’t administer the tests in the proper ways, their conclusions about your levels of intoxication may be inaccurate.
Let’s work together
At Spodek Law Group, our team of trained and experienced Suffolk County DWI lawyers can help you prepare your best defense. We’re confident in the courtroom and eager to help you defend your case to the fullest extent of the law. If you’re facing drunk driving charges, please contact us today.
