In New York, most traffic offenses stay on your driving record for 3 to 4 years.
Don’t let a traffic violation put your license or record at risk. Our experienced Long Island traffic attorney is ready to help you understand your options and build a strong defense. Whether you’re facing speeding tickets, reckless driving, or another charge, we’ll guide you every step of the way. Get the legal support you need — start your defense today.
38 years of experience in handling Vehicular Crimes, we provide expert legal representation that you can trust.
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For over 38 years, the DWI Law Team of Steven S. Siegel, PLLC has been Long Island’s trusted traffic offense lawyer team. We know that getting a traffic ticket or facing a serious driving charge can be stressful and confusing. That’s why we listen carefully, explain your options in simple terms, and create a defense plan tailored to your situation. Whether it’s a speeding ticket, reckless driving, or a more serious offense, our goal is to protect your rights, your driver’s license, and your future. When you need a traffic offense lawyer who truly cares and fights for you, count on us to stand by your side from start to finish.
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If you’ve been arrested for a vehicular crime in New York, finding the right attorney is crucial. Steven S. Siegel and his team are experienced, affordable vehicular crime lawyers dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome for you. We understand New York’s complex vehicular crime laws, including charges like reckless driving and vehicular manslaughter, and use this knowledge to your advantage. We listen to your story, investigate every detail, and look for factors that could help your case. Our team works closely with you, ensuring you’re informed and supported every step of the way. As your strategic partner, we fight to protect your rights and help you move forward. Choose us for dedicated support in all vehicular crime matters.
Steven S. Siegle is an experienced and dedicated attorney with a career spanning over 40 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.
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When a driver is involved in a car accident, the police try to figure out if they were drunk or under the influence of drugs. One common way they do this is by using a breathalyzer test, which measures the amount of alcohol in the driver’s breath. If the test shows a blood alcohol content (BAC) at or above the legal limit (usually 0.08%), the driver is considered legally intoxicated. Police may also ask the driver to perform field sobriety tests, such as walking in a straight line, standing on one leg, or following an object with their eyes. These tests help officers see if the driver’s coordination and balance are affected. Officers also look for signs like slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, or the smell of alcohol, which can suggest impairment.
In more serious accidents, especially those involving injuries or deaths, doctors may take blood or urine samples to check for alcohol or drugs in the driver’s system. These toxicology tests provide detailed information about what substances were in the driver’s body and in what amounts. Witnesses or security cameras may also give important clues about the driver’s condition before or during the accident. If a driver refuses to take a breathalyzer or sobriety test, this refusal can be used against them in court and may lead to penalties like losing their driver’s license. All this evidence helps the legal system decide if the driver was impaired, which is important for both criminal charges and insurance claims. In more serious cases involving injury or death, toxicology reports become critical. These reports analyze blood or urine samples to detect the presence and concentration of alcohol, drugs, or other substances at the time of the accident. Refusal to submit to BAC or sobriety tests can lead to legal penalties and may be used against the driver in court. All collected evidence is carefully reviewed to establish impairment, which influences criminal charges and civil liability. Understanding these procedures is essential for anyone facing vehicular crime allegations related to intoxication or impairment.
If you’re facing a vehicular crime charge, there are several defenses your lawyer might use to protect you. One common defense is to question the evidence, especially in cases involving DUI or impairment. Breathalyzer or blood test results can sometimes be wrong or mishandled, and field sobriety tests aren’t always accurate either. These tests can be affected by things like medical conditions, tiredness, or uneven ground, which may make you appear impaired even if you’re not. Another defense is to show that you didn’t act recklessly or mean to cause harm. For example, if the accident happened because of a sudden medical emergency, bad weather, or dangerous road conditions, your lawyer can argue that you weren’t careless or responsible for the crash. Proving these facts can help reduce or even dismiss the charges against you.
Other defenses depend on the details of your case. If you’re charged with hit-and-run, your lawyer might argue that you didn’t realize an accident happened, which is a valid defense if there’s no proof you knew about the collision. Sometimes, mechanical problems like faulty brakes or steering can cause accidents, and your lawyer can use this to show it wasn’t your fault. In some situations, you might have acted in self-defense or to avoid a worse accident, like swerving to avoid another driver and accidentally causing a crash. Mistaken identity or having an alibi can also be strong defenses if you weren’t actually driving when the incident happened. Because every case is different, your lawyer will carefully review all the facts to find the best defense to protect your rights and future. Other defenses focus on the specific circumstances of your case. If you’re charged with hit-and-run, your lawyer might argue that you didn’t realize an accident occurred, which can be a valid defense if there’s no proof you knew about the collision. In some cases, mechanical failure-like faulty brakes-can be used to show the accident wasn’t your fault. Self-defense or acting to avoid greater harm may also apply, such as if you swerved to avoid another driver and caused an accident as a result. Sometimes, mistaken identity or having an alibi can clear you if you weren’t actually driving at the time. Every case is unique, so your lawyer will look at all the facts to find the strongest defense for your situation.
A vehicular crime can have a serious impact on your driver’s license. If you are found guilty of offenses like drunk driving, reckless driving, or leaving the scene of an accident, your license can be suspended or even revoked for months or years, depending on how severe the crime is. For example, causing death or serious injury while driving dangerously can lead to a license revocation for several years, while repeat offenses or high levels of alcohol in your system can mean even longer bans56. Even less serious crimes, like running a red light or aggressive driving, can add penalty points to your license. If you collect too many points within a certain time, you can be automatically disqualified from driving for at least six months6. Sometimes, you may also have to retake your driving test before getting your license back.
Vehicular crimes also affect your car insurance in a big way. Insurance companies see people with serious driving offenses as high-risk drivers, so your insurance premiums can go up a lot after a conviction. In some cases, the insurance company might even refuse to renew your policy or cancel it altogether. If your license is suspended or revoked, you may find it hard to get any insurance at all, or you might only qualify for expensive, high-risk policies. Some offenses, like drunk driving or causing an accident while uninsured, can stay on your record for years, making it difficult and costly to get coverage. These long-term effects can make driving much more expensive and complicated, even after you have served your penalties
A traffic infraction is the least serious type of traffic offense. Infractions are minor violations like speeding a few miles over the limit, running a stop sign, or not wearing a seatbelt. These are not considered crimes, so you won’t get jail time for an infraction. Instead, you’ll usually get a ticket and have to pay a fine. Infractions might add points to your driving record, which can make your insurance go up, but they don’t go on your criminal record. You don’t have to go to court unless you want to fight the ticket. Infractions are handled quickly and are meant to correct bad driving habits rather than punish you harshly136.
A misdemeanor is more serious than an infraction and can lead to bigger consequences. Examples include driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, or driving without a valid license. If you’re charged with a misdemeanor, you could face fines, community service, probation, or even jail time-usually up to one year in a county jail. Misdemeanors go on your criminal record and can affect your job or future opportunities. Felonies are the most serious traffic offenses, like hit-and-run accidents causing injury or death, repeat DUIs, or vehicular manslaughter. Felonies can lead to prison time of more than a year, large fines, and loss of rights like voting. The more harm or risk your actions cause, the more likely you’ll face a felony charge
In New York, most traffic offenses stay on your driving record for 3 to 4 years.
Police use breathalyzer tests, blood or urine samples, field sobriety tests, and officer observations (like slurred speech or smell of alcohol) to determine if a driver was impaired during an accident.
A lawyer can navigate complex traffic laws, challenge evidence, and use defenses to reduce charges, helping protect your license, finances, and insurance.
A lawyer can challenge evidence accuracy, question the legality of the traffic stop, and argue justified actions or mechanical failure. They also negotiate plea deals or present defenses like mistaken identity to reduce or dismiss charges.
DWI Law Team of Steven S. Siegel, PLLC is committed to answering your questions about DWAI/DWI/DUI and Vehicular law issues.
If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is dedicated to providing clear answers and reliable support every step of the way.
