Drunk Driving Defense in New York

December 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It can happen to anyone. You join some colleagues or friends for a drink after work, or go to a party. You have a couple of beers, a glass of wine or a mixed drink. You don’t feel intoxicated, so you decide to head home. On the way, a police officer pulls you over—maybe for a minor infraction or maybe for no apparent reason. They ask you to submit to a blood alcohol test and you fail. Now what do you do?

The consequences of a DUI/DWI arrest can be devastating. In addition to the potential fines, you could risk the loss of your driving privileges for a significant period of time. If convicted, your auto insurance premiums will likely skyrocket, and you could even put your job at risk. It’s time to contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer.

At the Law Offices of Scott J. Limmer, we offer more than 13 years of criminal law experience to people in Queens County, Nassau County and Suffolk County. A former New York district attorney, Scott Limmer has seen firsthand how police and prosecutors prepare a drunk driving case. Because we can anticipate the strategies they will employ and the arguments they will make, we can help you take proactive measures to protect your rights.

When you have been charged with drinking and driving, one of the first things you want your attorney to do is determine whether police or law enforcement officers had probable cause to pull you over. Police cannot just randomly stop you to determine if you are violating the law. They must have reason to believe that you are committing or have committed a crime. This can be something as simple as having a broken tail light or an expired license tag. However, without probable cause to make the traffic stop, police cannot use any evidence obtained to prosecute you.

After you have been pulled over, police may ask you questions. You do not have to answer their questions without a lawyer present. You have the right to refuse to submit to a field sobriety test, and can also refuse to take a breathalyzer or blood alcohol test, although you can face immediate suspension of your license for such refusal.

Contact the Law Offices of Scott J. Limmer

To schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced New York DUI/DWI defense lawyer, contact us online or call our office toll free at 888-238-0888. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We take all major credit cards and will set up payment plans for qualified clients.

Filed Under: Drunk While Intoxicated Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Drug Possession in New York

December 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When you have been charged with possession of illegal drugs in New York, the type of drug involved can make a big difference in how your case is handled, and the approach your lawyer will take. If you have been arrested or charged with possession of marijuana, you will not be prosecuted under the same laws as if you had been charged with possession of cocaine, meth or heroin. In the state of New York, marijuana is not considered a “controlled substance.” The New York laws still make possession of marijuana a crime, but not one that rises to the level of possession of “hard drugs.” Because of this, district attorneys offices tend to be more willing to negotiate a plea bargain in marijuana possession cases.
Regardless of the substance in question, when you have been charged with possession of an illegal drug, you need an experienced and knowledgeable attorney to protect your rights. In addition to the fines and penalties you face, you could put your employment or educational opportunities at risk, and you could be excluded from working in certain professions.

At the Law Offices of Scott J. Limmer, we offer more than 13 years of criminal law experience to people throughout Queens County, Nassau County and Suffolk County. Attorney Limmer is a former New York district attorney, with a firsthand knowledge of the ways that the state prepares and prosecutes drug possession cases. We know the strategies and tactics they will employ, and know how to take the most effective steps to protect your constitutional rights.

In drug possession cases, police often work with informants, obtaining information that provides the basis for a search warrant. In our criminal justice system, police must be able to demonstrate that information obtained from an informant is reliable. They cannot obtain a warrant or conduct a search based on any anonymous tip. You want a lawyer who will verify how information was obtained, and whether there was reasonable cause to believe that the information was credible.

Contact the Law Offices of Scott J. Limmer

We offer a free initial consultation to every client. To arrange a private meeting with an experienced New York drug possession defense lawyer, contact our office by e-mail or call us toll free at 888-238-0888. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We take all major credit cards and will set up payment plans for qualified clients.

Filed Under: Drug Crimes Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,