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The Stages of a New York DWI Case

Provided by Rochester drunk driving defense attorneys

If the authorities stop and arrest you for driving while intoxicated (DWI), you are likely to feel confused and frightened.  The procedures are complicated, and at each step, it can often seem that the police and the court are in control of the process, and even of your future.  However, each of the steps in the DWI process is actually predictable, and for an experienced drunk driving defense attorney in Rochester, each presents an opportunity to intervene on behalf of a client.

The possible phases of a DWI case include the following:

  • Arrest
  • Booking and bail
  • Arraignment
  • Plea bargain
  • Preliminary hearing
  • Pre-trial motions
  • Trial
  • Sentencing
  • Appeal

Experienced Rochester drunk driving defense attorneys realize that avoiding or minimizing the penalties for a DWI begins well before the trial.  The arrest itself, to an experienced eye, may have improprieties or errors of conduct that affect your case. A knowledgeable attorney can do the following:

  • Challenge the legality of your DWI stop and arrest
  • Question the legitimacy of the field sobriety tests
  • Discover irregularities in the breathalyzer results
  • Negotiate an advantageous plea agreement, if necessary
  • Vigorously defend you at trial
  • Introduce mitigating circumstances to reduce the penalties

The only way to know what an attorney can do for you is to speak to one experienced in defending clients against DWI charges.

Experienced defense attorney in Rochester can explain the process

If your arrest occurs in Rochester or anywhere in Monroe County, the experienced Rochester drunk driving defense attorneys of the Wolford Law Firm are ready to guide you through the process and defend your rights.  From your first appearance in court to hear the charges against you, we know what to expect, how best to present your case, and where the weaknesses lie in the case against you. 

Time is of the essence in contacting an attorney, since most people unnecessarily plead guilty at their arraignment, the first appearance in court.  However, with the services of a qualified defense attorney, it is possible to use the further stages of the DWI process to argue for innocence, or the lightest possible punishment.  Without the services of an experienced attorney, however, this is not a realistic possibility.

Contact us

If arrested for DWI, you need to speak to a drunk driving defense attorney who will explain the process and fight for your license and reputation.  Contact the Wolford Law Firm, LLP at (585) 325-8000 or (877) 394-8497, or contact us online.