Defense of Repeat and Felony DWI Charges in New York
Not every DWI case can be resolved with a plea to a noncriminal violation or a short technical suspension while you continue to drive on a restricted license. Any repeat offense, any aggravated offense, or any additional alcohol-related accident can expose you to severe consequences, including mandatory jail or prison time. In any repeat or felony DWI situation, contact criminal defense lawyer Jonathan Sennett in Kingston to learn about your potential exposure to punishment and the most promising legal alternatives for avoiding it.
In New York State, a second DWI conviction in ten years is a felony - period
As the state assembly has tightened the sanctions for drunk driving in recent years, repeat DWI offenders are exposed to more severe penalties than ever before. A second conviction within a 10-year period is a Class E felony and can be punished by up to 4 years of imprisonment, while a third such conviction is a Class D felony punishable by up to 7 years of prison. Vehicle forfeiture is also a common consequence of a felony DWI conviction, as are high court costs and fines.
At the law firm of Jonathan R. Sennett, P.C., we understand what is at stake in felony DWI defense. We examine all of your options in fighting the charge or reducing it to a misdemeanor. In some cases, we can challenge the circumstances of the traffic stop that led to your arrest. In other cases, we can put the results of a blood alcohol test into question through forensic analysis and expert testimony. If the evidence of guilt is overwhelming, we can concentrate on sentencing issues that may keep you out of jail or prison.
Criminal defense lawyer Jonathan Sennett also represents people charged with aggravated DWI, which involves a blood alcohol concentration above .15. This is not a felony offense, but carries mandatory jail time, a $1,000 fine, and a full year's suspension of your driver's license.
Contact Jonathan Sennett for help with vehicular homicide or assault cases
As an experienced felony trial attorney, Jonathan Sennett can also protect your interests in DWI accident cases resulting in injury or death. Charged as vehicular assault or homicide, long prison terms can follow conviction, with the length of the sentence sensitive to the facts of each case. While our primary focus will be to avoid conviction, and our skill with sentencing issues will allow your side of the story to be presented clearly and persuasively even if the evidence against you is too much to overcome.
No matter how serious your felony or repeat DWI charge appears to be, there's a great deal that a knowledgeable defense attorney can achieve for you. Contact the law firm of Jonathan R. Sennett in Kingston for specific advice about your situation, and make sure that you get the most out of your presumption of innocence. Contact our office online, or call us at 845-943-2261 or toll-free at 866-585-1091.
