Experienced DWI ATTORNEY
SERVING QUEENS, NY
Call us now for your free DWI Case Evaluation
Veteran DWI Defender Aggressive Representation
Mark S. Cossuto’s track record for superior Queens DWI Criminal Defense has garnered him much praise and given him the ability to grow a highly respected DWI defense practice based on successful case results and recommendations from his very happy clients.
His clients lean on his valuable experience and guidance and count on his no-nonsense defense approach to fighting their charges vigorously.
Mark is hands-on and ensures that he exhausts every element of negotiation and defense to retain your rights and freedom. Your future may depend on your defense; it is critical that you have an attorney who fights these battles day in and day out.
Mark Cossuto - Attorney At Law
- DWI Attorney Serving Queens, New York City
Driving Under Influence
Queens DWI Defense Attorney
- Queens County DWI Defense Lawyer
- Queens DWI Attorney Serving New York City
There is a level of unease that accompanies being pulled over by law enforcement that very few situations can duplicate. When a police vehicle pulls up behind or alongside your car, and you hear the siren or see the lights flashing, it makes it very difficult to remain calm, cool and collected. It is important to remain in control of your emotions if and when you are pulled over. If you are being stopped because you are suspected of DWI, you can expect to be asked to cooperate with some form of field sobriety testing.
You may even feel foolish hopping on one foot or walking a line, as though you really can’t believe that this is happening to you. The worst part will come if you find yourself in handcuffs.
DWI’s in the state of New York are serious offenses. In fact, New York is considered to be among the most aggressive in the nation with its DWI Laws. While you may feel as though this is the end of the world and it is a very life-altering experience to go through and process to endure, I am an aggressive DWI defense attorney who is prepared to review your case and build a case for your defense.
Get Experience On Your Side
You need someone who is familiar with the Queens County Courts and Procedures who will work to defend your Queens DWI Charges. This is why it is important to get ahead of your defense as early on in the process as possible.
Speak To A Veteran Queens DWI Attorney
When facing a Queens DWI Charge, you need to be prepared from the onset. You need to gather your faculties shortly after the incident has occurred and begin to mount your defense. Your future, family, and livelihood may be affected by these charges and it is vital that you understand the impact that a criminal record can have on your life. Having a veteran DWI Attorney by your side will allow you to fight from day one but more than that, it will allow you to have experience at your side at a time where you truly need it most.
Queens Drunk Driving Offenses
After you have been pulled over, arrested, fingerprinted and booked, there’s more. Because the offense takes place in a vehicle and on the road, this means that you’ll be dealing with two categories of the law. One being criminal offenses and the other being traffic violations. In this case, you’ll need the help of an experienced Queens DWI Lawyer to navigate both the criminal court appearances as well as the administrative court case. The criminal court will govern whether or not you are criminally convicted and the department of motor vehicles will govern over your driving privileges.
DWI Laws in the state of New York fall into a variety of classifications and each is governed by their own specific set of guidelines. Based on what your charges are, they may fall under both a traffic violation as well as a criminal offense and with a DWI, you will be involved with both a Criminal Court Case and a Traffic Court Case.
In New York State, DWI Laws have various classifications, each with its own set of penalties. Depending on the charges being waged against you, your charges may be considered a traffic violation or a criminal offense. The criminal offense can fall into a Felony charge or a Misdemeanor charge classification. A felony could mean time served of up to 1 year in a local county facility while a misdemeanor could mean a longer sentence in a state facility.
Driver who killed teen cyclist in Brooklyn had blood alcohol level twice the legal limit Source: NY Daily News – Thomas Groarke (Brooklyn College shirt) leaves court after posting bail on charges stemming from Sunday’s crash. (Ken Murray)
Penalties For 1st Time Offenses
First DWI Charge: If your BAC comes back and is at .08%, or is above that mark, the likely charges you face can be classified as a misdemeanor. Keep in mind that even without consenting to a sobriety test, you can still be charged with the absence of a chemical test.
Queens DWI Penalty/Charges:
- Financial fine as high as one thousand dollars
- The suspension of your driving privileges (drivers license)
- Up to a one year sentence at a county facility
- Probation that could last several years
- The installation of an Interlock device on your car
Queens Penalties For DWAI Charges:
- Up to $50o.00 in financial penalties
- At least an estimated 3 months of license suspension
- Up to an estimated two weeks in county lockup
Queens Aggravated DWI Fines/Penalties:
- Up to $2500 in financial fines
- The possibility of one year in jail
- Probation
- Up to a year license revocation
Felony Charge DWI: The felony charge is the most severe of all DWI Charges:
- Another DWI in the last decade
- You had children in the vehicle
Penalties for a Felony DWI:
- Prison for up to four years
- Financial fines of up to $5000
- Probation that could last up to five years
- The revocation of your driving privileges for up to one year
- Ignition Interlock installation on your car
DWI Zero Tolerance applies to:
- Drivers 21 and under
- BAC up to 0.07%
- Minima fines of $125
- Suspended driving privileges up to six months
1std time DWAI: A DWAI charge is classified on the low end of DWI offenses. It does not mean that you won’t face penalties and fines, it means that those penalties and fines of a lesser caliber as they are considered traffic infractions. To qualify for a DWAI, your BAC would have to be 0.07 % or under.
1st Time Aggravated DWI Misdemeanor: Your BAC would have to be twice the legal limit (0.18% or higher)
How A DWI Affects Your Ability To Drive
Any time your blood alcohol levels come back and are higher than the legal limit you face penalties. A BAC of .08% or more means that you will face suspension of your driving ability. There is, however, an opportunity to get temporary driving abilities.
Apply For The Hardship License: You may qualify for the hardship license in Queens if you haven’t had previous convictions for DWI or DWAI-related offenses. The same is true if you haven’t had the same charges in the previous five year period and this hardship is only valid for the initial month after you were arrested. This hardship license provides you with the ability to get to your place of employment, medical facilities and of course, your court dates. Post-Conviction Conditional Drivers License: Once your case has finished, you may qualify for the application of a post-conviction license referred to as a Conditional Drivers License. To qualify you must:
- Have zero convictions DWI DWAI- Related charges in the last five years.
- Your DDP Program has successfully concluded
- Your probation officer approves of the conditional license
A Conditional Licensing Ability Before Getting Convicted: This is optimal for a 1st-time offense. You can make the application for a pre-conviction privilege to drive after about a month after the suspension expires. The same is possible for those who haven’t been convicted of DWI or DWAI-related offenses in the previous five year period.
- You will have the ability to get to and from your workplace, educational institutions for yourself or your children, medical appointments and court appearances.
- You may also get driving privileges for three hour periods which can be used for errands.
Fight Your Queens DWI Charges
If you or someone you love is facing DWI charges in Queens, you need qualified, knowledgeable, and aggressive defense, call me today at (646) 844-4188 to schedule a Free consultation.
Get peace of mind today!
If you or someone you love is facing DWI charges in Queens County, you want an experienced lawyer who will do whatever it takes to protect your rights and your future. Call the Law Office of Mark S. Cossuto (646) 844-4188 today to schedule a Free consultation.
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If you or a loved one have been charged with a DWI offense in Queens or anywhere in New York, call the law office of Mark S. Cossuto today at
(646) 844-4188 to schedule a Free Consultation.
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