When you’re accused of drunk or impaired driving, every decision matters. Penalties for DWI, DUI, and DWAI in Long Island can be severe, including fines, higher insurance, and criminal records. Our firm focuses on swift, strategic defense to minimize those risks, from arraignment through resolution. You don’t have to face the system alone. Fill out our quick contact form now and one of our attorneys will reach out promptly to discuss your case and start protecting your future.
With over 38 years of experience handling DWI, DUI, and DWAI cases, we provide expert legal representation you can trust.
Certified in DWI, DUI, and DWAI defense with specialized training in Lead Risk Assessment and Abatement.
Extensive knowledge of local Long Island's courts, law enforcement, and local legal procedures, giving you a strategic advantage.
DWI Law Team of Steven S. Siegel, PLLC has proudly defended Long Island drivers since 1987. We know that a DWI, DUI, or DWAI charge can turn your life upside down. That’s why we personally handle every case with respect and attention to detail. We take the time to understand your situation and craft a defense strategy that works for you. With almost four decades of experience, we’re here to protect your rights and guide you through the process step by step.
Explore our area of expertise as dedicated and professional DWI, DUI & DWAI lawyers in Long Island.
Legal defense for individuals facing their first DWI charge, aiming to reduce penalties or dismiss charges entirely.
Defense for individuals with prior DWI convictions, focusing on minimizing harsher penalties and protecting driving privileges.
Defense against charges involving high BAC or special circumstances, with strategies to mitigate enhanced legal consequences.
Legal defense for individuals charged with DWI involving an accident, focusing on minimizing penalties and protecting your rights.
Legal defense for individuals accused of violating DWI probation, protecting your rights and working to avoid further penalties.
Defense for drivers under 21 charged with any alcohol presence, aiming to avoid license suspension and fines.
Specialized defense for commercial drivers facing DWI charges, focusing on saving their CDL and employment status.
Serious defense for DWI charges classified as felonies due to injuries, repeat offenses, or aggravating circumstances.
Immediate legal support post-arrest, ensuring fair arraignment procedures, bail hearings, and rights protection.
Negotiating with prosecutors to reduce DWI charges or penalties, potentially avoiding jail time and long-term consequences.
Assistance obtaining limited driving privileges during suspension, allowing essential travel like work, school, or medical appointments.
Representation at DMV hearings challenging license suspension for refusing a chemical or breath test.
Guidance on IID installation, compliance, and legal requirements following a DWI conviction or court order.
Help clearing or sealing past DWI offenses from public records to restore privacy and future opportunities.
We help clients fight DWI-related license suspensions and work to restore driving privileges as quickly as possible. Our team understands New York’s license laws and delivers strategic, results-driven defense.
Explore topics that help you understand DWI, DUI & DWAI cases and their complexities.
DWI stands for Driving While Intoxicated, which is the official term New York uses for drunk or drugged driving. It means a person is accused of operating a motor vehicle while their ability to drive is impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. In most cases, a DWI charge is filed if a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher, but police can also arrest someone for DWI if they appear noticeably impaired even below that limit, especially if drugs are involved. A DWI is a criminal offense, not just a traffic ticket. It carries serious potential penalties such as license suspension or revocation, heavy fines, mandatory alcohol or drug education programs, ignition interlock devices, probation, and even jail time. For repeat offenses or aggravating factors—like a very high BAC, an accident, or a child passenger—the penalties can increase dramatically. To build a DWI case, law enforcement typically uses field sobriety tests, breathalyzer or chemical tests of blood or urine, police observations, and sometimes dashcam or bodycam footage. Because these tests can be flawed or administered incorrectly, experienced defense lawyers often review every detail to look for procedural errors, inaccurate testing, or constitutional violations.
In everyday terms, a DWI is an accusation that your ability to drive was unsafe due to alcohol or drugs. It’s stressful and can affect your job, your record, and your insurance for years. That’s why most people charged with DWI seek an attorney who knows how to challenge the evidence, protect their driver’s license, and work toward reducing or dismissing the charges. A DWI is not just a traffic ticket; it is a criminal charge. Conviction can lead to license suspension or revocation, heavy fines, mandatory programs, higher insurance rates, and even jail time, especially for repeat offenses. Police reports, chemical tests such as breathalyzers or blood draws, and field sobriety tests are often used as evidence in these cases. Because the penalties are serious and procedures are strict, most people charged with DWI turn to experienced defense attorneys to challenge the evidence, protect their driving privileges, and work for reduced penalties or dismissal.
DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence. It’s a criminal charge used in many states when someone is accused of operating a motor vehicle while affected by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. Technically, “under the influence” means your mental or physical abilities are reduced enough that you’re not able to drive safely. In states that use DUI instead of DWI, the legal standard often includes a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, but you can also be charged below that level if there’s evidence of impairment from alcohol or drugs. A DUI is more than a traffic ticket — it’s a serious criminal offense. Penalties can include driver’s license suspension or revocation, substantial fines, mandatory education or treatment programs, higher insurance rates, installation of an ignition interlock device, probation, or jail time. The severity usually depends on factors such as prior offenses, BAC level, whether an accident occurred, and whether minors were in the vehicle. Police typically gather evidence for DUI cases through field sobriety tests, breath tests, blood or urine tests, and their own observations. These tests can be challenged if they’re not done correctly or if the equipment isn’t maintained properly. Because of the lasting impact a DUI conviction can have on your record, employment, and freedom, most people accused of DUI turn to experienced defense attorneys to protect their rights, review the evidence, and work toward reducing or dismissing the charges.
In contrast, a DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) is a lesser offense, usually involving a BAC between 0.05% and 0.07% or evidence that a driver’s ability was impaired “to any extent” by alcohol or drugs. While still a traffic violation or misdemeanor depending on the circumstances, DWAI carries lighter penalties compared to DUI/DWI. These may include smaller fines, shorter license suspensions, and fewer long-term consequences, though a DWAI still creates a criminal record and can impact insurance rates and future driving privileges. It’s important to note that both offenses are taken seriously under New York law, and a skilled attorney can help navigate the nuances between them to seek reduced penalties or dismissal where possible.
DWAI stands for Driving While Ability Impaired. This is a specific charge used in New York and a few other states when a person is accused of operating a vehicle while their ability to drive is impaired “to any extent” by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. Technically, it’s often applied when a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is above 0.05% but below 0.08%, or when there’s other evidence showing their driving ability was reduced, even if their BAC is under the legal DWI limit. A DWAI is usually considered a lesser offense than DWI but it’s still serious. Penalties can include fines, mandatory driver programs, license suspension, higher insurance rates, probation, and even short jail terms for repeat offenders. It also creates a criminal or traffic violation record that can affect employment and future driving privileges.
Police use many of the same methods to establish a DWAI as they do for DWI or DUI — such as field sobriety tests, breath tests, blood or urine tests, and officer observations. Because these tests aren’t always perfect, experienced defense attorneys often examine whether the stop was lawful, whether the tests were properly given, and whether the results were reliable.
In everyday language, a DWAI means you’re being accused of driving after drinking or taking something that made you just impaired enough to be unsafe, even if you weren’t over the “drunk driving” limit. It’s a lower-level charge than DWI but still carries real consequences, so most drivers seek legal help to protect their record and license.
People often ask which charge is worse, a DUI or a DWI. The answer depends on the state where the arrest took place. In New York, DWI or Driving While Intoxicated is the main drunk driving offense for a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more. DWAI or Driving While Ability Impaired covers lower-level impairment. The term DUI or Driving Under the Influence is not officially used here.
In other states, DUI is the standard name for impaired driving and DWI may either mean exactly the same thing or describe a more serious version of the offense. Whatever the label, both charges can lead to serious consequences such as losing your license, paying heavy fines, attending mandatory programs, facing higher insurance premiums and in some cases serving jail time.
The important point for any driver is that impaired driving charges, whether called DUI, DWI or DWAI, can have a lasting effect on your record and your future. Knowing how your state defines each charge and getting qualified legal help as soon as possible can make a real difference.
A DWI charge, or Driving While Intoxicated, means you are accused of operating a vehicle while your ability to drive was impaired by alcohol or drugs. In New York, a DWI is taken very seriously and can result in heavy fines, license suspension, mandatory programs, and even jail time depending on the circumstances.
A DWI charge (Driving While Intoxicated) means that law enforcement believes you operated a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. In New York, a DWI is not a minor traffic offense; it is a criminal charge that carries serious and lasting consequences. Depending on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level, prior history, and the circumstances of your arrest, you may face steep fines, loss of driving privileges, mandatory alcohol education programs, probation, or even jail time.
Beyond the legal penalties, a DWI conviction can affect your employment, insurance rates, and reputation. Prosecutors and police are trained to pursue these cases aggressively, often relying on breath tests, field sobriety tests, and officer observations. However, these methods are not always accurate or reliable, and a strong legal defense may uncover flaws in the state’s case. If you have been charged with a DWI, it is critical to consult an experienced DWI attorney as soon as possible. The right lawyer can explain your options, challenge the evidence, and work toward reducing or even dismissing the charges against you.
Explore other services we are offering in Long Island that is similar to our DWI attorney services.
Representing clients charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, where the blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeds the legal limit of 0.08%.
Defending clients against traffic-related offenses, including reckless driving, license suspensions, and other motor vehicle violations.
Explore the procedure of getting started with our DWI, DUI & DWAI attorney services in Long Island.
When facing a DWI, DUI, or DWAI charge in Long Island, your first step with our attorneys is a thorough consultation. We carefully review every detail of your case, including police reports, test results, and witness statements, to ensure no angle is overlooked. During this process, we clearly explain your legal options and outline possible outcomes, so you know exactly what to expect. If urgent matters such as license suspension arise, we take immediate action to protect your driving privileges and preserve all opportunities for defense.
Each impaired-driving case requires a defense strategy built around its unique facts. Our Long Island attorneys carefully examine the evidence, identify potential procedural errors, and evaluate the accuracy of testing equipment records. When necessary, we work with specialists, challenge unreliable results, and file motions to exclude improperly obtained evidence. Because even a first-time DWI, DUI, or DWAI can carry lasting consequences, we handle every step with precision—keeping you fully informed and actively involved in building the strongest defense possible.
If your case proceeds to court, our experienced Long Island attorneys are prepared to represent you with confidence. With 4 decades of courtroom experience, we know how to challenge the prosecution’s case, expose weaknesses in the evidence, and advocate for the best possible resolution. Whether the objective is dismissal, a reduction of charges, or minimizing penalties, we fight tirelessly to protect your rights and safeguard your future.
Steven S. Siegel is an experienced and dedicated attorney with a career spanning over 38+ years. He earned his J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law in 1982, graduating in just 2½ years while working full-time at a law firm. Steven was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1984 and has since built a distinguished career, specializing in DWI/DWAI and vehicular defense. He has extensive experience in both criminal and civil law, having handled complex cases involving birth defects, brain injuries, and construction accidents. Steven has served as a Justice for the Village of East Rockaway and as an arbitrator and mediator for the Jansen Group. He is also a founding member of the Philippine Legal Defense and Education Fund and has contributed to various organizations, including The Gift of Life Organization. With his broad expertise, Steven provides clients with top-tier legal representation in all areas of DWI and criminal law.
Steven S. Siegel, Esq.
Discover the impressive career and expertise of Steven S. Siegel, our head attorney, dedicated to exceptional legal defense.
Graduated in 2 ½ years while working full time at the Law Firm of Maurice Young and Associates.
1980 B.A. Psychology, Cum Laude, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York
1981 Oxford University, Oxford, England
“Psychotherapist-Patient Sexual Contact: A Guide for Plaintiff’s Attorneys,”
Published in New York Negligence Reporter, Matthew Bender & Co., November 1995 issue, co-author with Bruce V. Hillowe, J.D., Ph.D.
Philippine Legal Defense and Education Fund,
Founding Board Member and General Counsel, 2010 to Present
Peninsula Counseling Center, Member of Board of Directors, 2004-2008
Treatment and Research Advancement (TARA) Association for Personality Disorder, Charter Member of Board of Directors, 1997-2000
The Gift of Life Organization, Legal Advisor and Charter Member of Board of Directors, Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital Center, New York, New York, Heart Transplant Division 1999-Present
Legal Counsel to Queens Hospital Center Advisory Board, 1997
Certificates in Lead Risk Assessment and Abatement, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, 1993
Law Offices of John Chambers, P.C., New York, New York, 2002-2007
Responsibilities:
Defense Management of all significant trial matters for preeminent firm; I have taken hundreds of depositions all across the State relative to brain damaged baby litigation as “Of Counsel” to a large Maryland Law Firm. My caseload included severe birth related defects, brain injuries and other matters involving serious physical impairment; trial preparation requiring proficiency in complex medical conditions and procedures as well as close associations with highly regarded experts.
Justice of the Village of East Rockaway, New York, 2004-2021.
Responsibilities: Adjudication of Village Code Violations, Motor Vehicle matters as well as lesser criminal cases.
Jansen Group, Jericho N.Y. 2009 to present. Arbitrator, Mediator.
Cronin & Byczek, LLP, Lake Success, New York, 1999-2002
Responsibilities: Management of complex civil and criminal matters including oversight and trial of all catastrophic cases such as crane related deaths, products liability litigation and other construction accidents.
Law Offices of Steven S. Siegel, Garden City, New York, 1987-99
Responsibilities: Diversified practice including trial defense of New York State Homicide cases and Federal RICO actions; Prosecution of high profile civil litigation including medical malpractice, and general liability negligence matters.
Queens District Attorney, 1984-1986
Responsibilities: Queens County District Attorney’s Office: Trial Attorney Special Victims Bureau, handled the first DNA prosecution in the County of Queens.
Adjunct Professor, St. John’s University Division of Paralegal Studies, Flushing, New York, 1996-99
Listen previously held radio interview of our lead Steven Siegel.
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