Bride Arrested For DUI Crash Before Wedding

A woman on her way to her wedding in Marana, Arizona was arrested on Monday, March 12, for driving under the influence. Authorities arrested the 32-year-old after she reportedly caused a three car collision.

Pre-Nuptial Car Crash 

The car crash sent one person to the hospital with minor injuries. Police detained the woman at the scene still in her long white wedding gown outside of Tuscon and released her later in the day after she submitted to a blood test. 

There is no further information on whether the woman went on to get married that day or on the status of the injured individual. The blood alcohol concentration for the soon-to-be-bride was not released.

A Marana police officer later tweeted "Don't drive impaired. Till death do we part doesn't need any help." 

DUI Law Firm Representing New York Drivers 

At DUILegalNY, our team of dedicated attorneys have been defending the rights of drivers who are arrested on DWI charges in New York for decades. Our team is dedicated to helping our clients achieve positive outcomes after a DUI arrest. We fight for the rights of drivers throughout the State of New York who are facing DUI-related charges.

Our law firm has several offices conveniently located throughout the New York City area.

Long Island Offices

Drivers facing DUI charges on Long Island can contact our Long Island office below:

Acocella Law Group

20 Crossways Park Dr #210a

Woodbury, NY 11797

203-697-8604

Westchester County Offices

If you've been arrested in Westchester County you can visit our office below:

Acocella Law Group

2900 Westchester Ave #405

Harrison, NY 10577

914-888-2430

Queens Offices

Acocella Law Group

31-19 Newtown Ave #901c

Queens, NY 11102

718-395-4770

The Impact Of Ride Sharing Services On Drunk Driving

When you're out for a night on the town, getting home can become an obstacle if you've been drinking. However, with the rise in popularity of ride sharing services, it seems only logical that this is a safe way to get home and avoid dangerously driving drunk. Services like Uber and Lyft should take away the temptation to drink and drive.

Independent Study Supports Uber's Claims

Of course, Uber has an incentive to make the case that supports the decline in drunk driving incidents since its inception in 2010. An independent study was conducted that supports Uber's claims. The study found that in four boroughs of New York City, alcohol-related car accidents were down by 25 to 35 percent since Uber started offering its services there in 2011. The study excluded Staten Island. This amounts to about 40 fewer car crashes per month in those boroughs. This casts Uber and other ride sharing services in a positive light.

Fewer DUIs On New Year's Eve

It seems that New Year's Eve is a prime time for drunk drivers to be out and about. Obviously, this is because everyone is out celebrating into the early morning hours of New Year's Day. This almost always leads to an increase in drunk drivers. However, some New York law enforcement agencies saw a drop in drunk driving incidents this year after ride share services were offered. Although, it seems like a good bet that these services were the reason for fewer of these incidents, law enforcement agencies weren't quick to credit services like Uber. They said the drop in drunk driving could also be due to:

• cold weather
• better choices
• increased choices

Although Uber and Lyft produce numbers that are positive, many say more data is needed to draw a definitive conclusion as to the effect ride sharing services have on drunk driving. However, it is always encouraging to see decreasing numbers of drunk driving incidents, no matter what the cause is.

Were You Arrested For Driving Under The Influence In New York?

If you were arrested on DUI charges in the State of New York you could be facing serious charges and penalties. Our DWI defense attorneys defend drivers who have been arrested on DWI charges. We are dedicated to obtaining favorable outcomes, such as reduced charges and penalties, for all of our clients facing DUI charges. 

Contact one of our local offices listed below for a free consultation with a DWI attorney to learn about your legal rights after a DUI arrest:

Acocella Law Group

2900 Westchester Ave #405

Harrison, NY 10577

914-888-2430

Acocella Law Group

31-19 Newtown Ave #901c

Queens, NY 11102

718-395-4770

Acocella Law Group

20 Crossways Park Dr #210a

Woodbury, NY 11797

203-697-8604

Brooklyn Assemblyman Wants To Lower New York State's Drunk Driving Limits

A State lawmaker in New York is proposing a reduction to the State's drunk driving limits.

The State of New York currently has a limit of 0.08% BAC for standard motorists. In other words, any driver with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or more is considered to be driving under the influence in New York.

Reducing Current DUI Limits

According to reports, an Democratic Assemblyman from Brooklyn recently announced a proposal for a new law that would reduce the drunk driving limit from the current levels of 0.08% BAC to 0.05% BAC.

The new measure would aim to lower the number of drunk driving incidents throughout New York.

During the announcement the Assemblyman cited a recommendation from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, that concluded that a reduction in the legal limit would in fact reduce drunk driving incidents and could potentially save thousands of lives each year.

Utah recently passed a law that reduces the legal limit for drunk driving in the State of Utaf from 0.08% to 0.05%, but the law will not go into effect until December 30th, 2018.

DUI Law Firm Representing New York Drivers 

At DUI Legal NY, our team of attorneys are dedicated to helping our clients achieve positive outcomes after a DUI arrest. We fight for the rights of drivers throughout the State of New York who are facing DUI-related charges.

Our law firm has several offices conveniently located throughout the New York City area.

Long Island Offices

Drivers facing DUI charges on Long Island can contact our Long Island office below:

Acocella Law Group
20 Crossways Park Dr #210a
Woodbury, NY 11797
203-697-8604

Westchester County Offices

If you've been arrested in Westchester County you can visit our office below:

Acocella Law Group
2900 Westchester Ave #405
Harrison, NY 10577
914-888-2430

Queens Offices

Acocella Law Group
31-19 Newtown Ave #901c
Queens, NY 11102
718-395-4770

What Is Leandra's Law? DWI With A Child & How It Is Different Than A Regular DUI Charge

Driving While Intoxicated is considered to be a serious offense regardless of the situation.

However, there are certain circumstances in which a DWI charge may be considered more serious than other DWI charges and come with stricter penalties.

One instance in which a DWI is automatically considered more serious is when a driver operates a vehicle under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol while a child is a passenger in the vehicle.

What Is Leandra's Law?

Leandra's Law, also known as the Child Passenger Protection Act, is a piece of legislation that deals with DWI charges involving a driver who endangers the welfare of a child by operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol while a child in the vehicle.

The New York State law is named after Leandra Rosado, a DWI victim who was eleven years old when she was killed in a car accident in which she was a passenger in a vehicle being operated by a drunk driver.

Leandra's Law was signed into law on November 18, 2009, and makes it an automatic felony to drive drunk with a person who is 15 years or younger inside the vehicle.

VTL 1192.2-a(b) Charges & Penalties

According Vehicle and Traffic Law 1192.2-a(b):

• First time offenders driving while intoxicated (.08 Blood Alcohol Content [BAC] or more) or impaired by drugs, with a 15 year old or younger child passenger can be charged with a class E felony punishable by up to 4 years in prison.

• People charged with driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 or greater with a 15 year old or younger child passenger automatically have their license suspended during the criminal case.
  Drivers who drive while intoxicated or impaired by drugs and cause the death of a 15 year old or younger child passenger may be charged with a Class B felony, punishable by up to 25 years in State prison.

• Drivers who drive while intoxicated or impaired by drugs and cause serious physical injury to a 15 year old or younger child passenger may be charged with the Class C felony, punishable by up to 15 years in State prison.

• Even if no child is in the vehicle, anyone convicted of any felony or misdemeanor drunk driving offense is sentenced - in addition to any fine, jail or prison sentence – to a period of probation or conditional discharge. During that period, the driver is required to install and maintain an Ignition Interlock Device, for at least 12 months, in any motor vehicle he or she owns or operates. The driver also has an ignition interlock restriction added to his or her driver’s license.

• A parent, guardian, custodian or anyone legally responsible for a child who is charged with driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs while that child is a passenger in the car is reported to the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment by the arresting agency.

Were You Arrested For Driving Under The Influence In New York?

If you were arrested on DUI charges in the State of New York you could be facing serious charges and penalties. Our DWI defense attorneys defend drivers who have been arrested on DWI charges. We are dedicated to obtaining favorable outcomes, such as reduced charges and penalties, for all of our clients facing DUI charges. 

Contact one of our local offices listed below for a free consultation with a DWI attorney to learn about your legal rights after a DUI arrest:

Acocella Law Group
2900 Westchester Ave #405
Harrison, NY 10577
914-888-2430

Acocella Law Group
31-19 Newtown Ave #901c
Queens, NY 11102
718-395-4770

Acocella Law Group
20 Crossways Park Dr #210a
Woodbury, NY 11797
203-697-8604

Will I Lose My Drivers License If I Am Convicted Of A DWI Charge In New York?

Yes.

All drivers who are convicted of a DWI-related charge in New York will be subject to a mandatory license revocation in addition to other legal consequences and monetary fines.

While all DWI convictions come with a mandatory license suspension the length of the suspension depends on several factors including the type of DWI charge that you are convicted of and any other prior DWI-related convictions that may be on your record.

Drivers License Actions After A DWI Conviction

Here is a list of the different types of DWI charges and the mandatory minimum drivers license action for each conviction:

• DWAI by Alcohol (First Offense): Minimum 90 Day License Suspension
  


• DWAI by Alcohol (Second Offense): Minimum 6 Month License Revocation
  


• DWI Or DWAI by Drugs (First Offense): Minimum 6 Month License Revocation
  


• DWI or DWAI by Drugs (Second Offense): Minimum 1 Year License Revocation
  


• DWI or DWAI by Drugs (Third Offense): Minimum 1 Year License Revocation
  


• Underage DWI (First Offense): Minimum 6 Month License Suspension
  


• Underage DWI (Second Offense): Minimum 1 Year License Revocation or Until Age 21
  


• Aggravated DWI (First Offense): Minimum 1 Year License Revocation
  


• Aggravated DWI (Second Offense): Minimum 18 Month License Revocation
  


• Aggravated DWI (Third Offense): Minimum 18 Month License Revocation

What To Do If You Are Facing DUI Charges

The bad news is that any DWI conviction will come with some sort of mandatory license suspension or revocation. The good news is that not all drivers facing DUI charges end up being charged.

Additionally, many individuals facing DWI charges in New York are able to get the charges reduced with the help of an experienced DUI defense attorney.

To learn more about your legal options after a DUI arrest call DUI Legal NY or visit one of our locations in New York.

Westchester County Law Offices

If you were arrested for suspicion of intoxicated driving in Westchester County, New York, then you can call one of our local attorneys at the office below:

Acocella Law Group
2900 Westchester Ave #405
Harrison, NY 10577
914-888-2430

We help drivers facing DUI charges throughout the Westchester County area including those in New Rochelle, Port Chester, Tarrytown, Yonkers, Scarsdale and more.

Law Firm In Queens, New York

Our DUI lawyers also have local law offices conveniently located in Queens, NY. If your DUI arrest occurred in the Queens area then you can contact us at this office:

Acocella Law Group
31-19 Newtown Ave #901c
Queens, NY 11102
718-395-4770

We represent drivers arrested on DUI charges throughout the Queens area including those in Astoria, Jackson Heights, Flushing, Sunnyside, Elmhurst and more.

Long Island DUI Lawyers

Drivers arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can turn to our local DUI lawyers in Long Island for help. We serve clients in Nassau County and Suffolk County from our office location below:

Acocella Law Group
20 Crossways Park Dr #210a
Woodbury, NY 11797
203-697-8604 

We have helped drivers from across Long Island to defend their rights after a DUI arrest. Our clients come from all over Long Island including in Huntington, Hempstead, Bay Shore, Montauk, Commack and more.

The Difference Between A Felony DUI & Misdemeanor DUI In New York

The first thing that many drivers arrested on DUI charges worry about are the legal repercussions of a drunk driving conviction in the State of New York.

• Is A DWI Considered A Felony Crime In New York?
• Do I Have To Go To Jail If I Am Convicted?
• Will This Be On My Record Forever?

Felony Crimes Vs Misdemeanors Offenses

Most minor offenses are classified as misdemeanors in New York. A court may sentence an individual convicted of a misdemeanor offense to a maximum of one year in jail or three years of probation. 

A felony, on the other hand, is a crime that is much more serious than a misdemeanor and typically results in sentencing with much harsher penalties. Felonies are crimes that are punishable by death or imprisonment in excess of one year.

Is A DUI A Felony?

In the State of New York some DWI charges are classified as felonies while others are not.

The difference between a felony DUI and a misdemeanor DUI in New York depends on a few factors:

1. Any prior DWI convictions
2. The amount of time since the last DUI conviction

All first offense DUI charges are classified as misdemeanor offenses, but a second offense DUI conviction can be classified as a felony crime if an individual was convicted of a prior DUI offense within ten years of the date of arrest for the latest DUI charge.

Furthermore, there are several different classes of felony crimes which carry varying penalties. For example, a second offense DUI conviction within ten years of a prior conviction will face "class E felony" charges in New York.

Individuals convicted of a third offense DWI conviction within ten years of their two prior DUI-related convictions will face class D felony charges.

You can visit DUI Legal NY to learn more about felony DUI charges in New York.

Were You Arrested For Drunk Driving in the State of New York?

it doesn't matter if this is your first time being arrested on DUI charges or your fifth because any DUI charge is a serious matter. At DUI Legal NY our team of attorneys fight aggressively to defend the rights of drivers facing DWI charges in New York.

Contact one of our local offices today to get a free consultation on your legal rights after a DUI-related arrest.

If you were arrested driving while intoxicated in Westchester County, contact the following office:

Acocella Law Group

2900 Westchester Ave #405

Harrison, NY 10577

914-888-2430

If you were stopped and arrested in Queens, NY you can contact one of our local DWI lawyers at this office: 

Acocella Law Group

31-19 Newtown Ave #901c

Queens, NY 11102

718-395-4770 

Finally, if your arrest occurred in Long Island, NY, contact our DWI lawyers at this office:

Acocella Law Group

20 Crossways Park Dr #210a

Woodbury, NY 11797

203-697-8604 

How is Distracted Driving Similar to Drunk Driving?

The short answer is that distracted driving is exactly what it sounds like, which is driving while your attention isn't focused on your task.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving comes in three forms:

Manual: when you remove your hands from the wheel
Visual: when your eyes aren't on the road
Cognitive: when your mind isn't focused on the task of driving

How Is It Similar to Drunk Driving?

Although one is caused by alcohol-impaired judgment while the other is caused by distractions of various forms, the most obvious similarity between distracted and drunk driving is that both account for thousands of motor vehicle-related deaths and injuries each year.

The Fatalities

The CDC, referencing the findings of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, discovered that 3, 477 out of 35, 092 total motor vehicle deaths were linked to distracted driving. Injuries due to distracted driving in the same year accounted for 391, 000 out of just over 2 million total motor vehicle-related injuries.

On its study of drunk driving, the CDC noted that drunk driving accounted for 10, 265 or 29% of total motor vehicle deaths.

The Ages of the Drivers

According to the numbers compiled by the CDC, one of the risk factors that both distracted drivers and impaired drivers have in common is that a disproportionate number of the drivers involved are young.

With distracted driving, CDC notes that drivers under the age of 20 account for the largest demographic of fatalities.

Due to the age limit, drunk drivers aren't quite the same age as distracted drivers, but again those between the ages of 21 and 25 accounted for the highest proportion of impaired driving fatalities

The Laws

The particulars vary from state to state but, per the National Conference of State Legislatures, "distracted driving laws", do make texting while driving illegal in 47 states including New York.

All 50 states have a blood alcohol content limit and that drunk driving is very much illegal in New York.

If you're facing distracted driving charges or DUI charges, New York residents have an experienced legal team that they can turn to. Contact us today.

Need Help With Your DWI Arrest Charges?

If your arrest occurred in Westchester County, NY, contact our DWI lawyers at this office:

Acocella Law Group
2900 Westchester Ave #405
Harrison, NY 10577
914-888-2430

If your arrest occurred in Queens, NY, contact our DWI lawyers at this office:

Acocella Law Group
31-19 Newtown Ave #901c
Queens, NY 11102
718-395-4770

If your arrest occurred in Long Island, NY, contact our DWI lawyers at this office:

Acocella Law Group
20 Crossways Park Dr #210a
Woodbury, NY 11797
203-697-8604