Do I really need a lawyer for a speeding ticket?

best-syracuse-traffic-defense-lawyerThis is a common question. I mean, isn’t it just easier and more cost effective to mail the speeding ticket in, pay the fine and go on with my life? I was just speeding after after all, I’m not exactly a criminal! At first glance that may be so, but after much consideration one may find that having a lawyer to handle their traffic tickets may actually save them more money and time than the fees…

Your time has a certain value to it. Often when hiring an attorney, a client may not even have to appear personally in court. Your lawyer can appear for you, negotiate for reductions or dismissals, and speak with the DA on your behalf. If you do need to appear in court, those with an attorney have their cases called first, saving you from a long wait in the courtroom. If you have ever spent several hours in traffic court, you will surely appreciate that!

Often times, with reductions comes reduced fines. In addition, in New York State, the number of points against your drivers license may cause increased auto insurance premiums. So, the few hundred bucks you may spend for a lawyer to defend you traffic ticket may be well worth the investment when you consider time, fines, and insurance rates.

If you live in the Upstate NY area, please feel free to CALL US at 315-701-2939 or CONTACT US ONLINE

What are my rights if I am stopped, searched, or arrested by police?

We get asked this question often. In New York State, your basic rights when stopped, searched, or arrested are as follows:

• You have the right to ask why you have been stopped.Syracuse Criminal DWI Attorney David Zukher
• The police may ask you to step out of your vehicle if you are stopped in a car.
• The police may “pat-down” your clothing for their protection if they suspect you are carrying a concealed weapon, but you have the right to refuse any additional search.
• If you are in police custody and are not free to leave the police must tell you that you have the right to remain silent and the right to talk to a lawyer before they question you.

You do not have to answer any questions without an attorney present. If you are in the Syracuse area, and have been arrested and charged with a crime, don’t hesitate to contact our office- call us at 315-701-2939 or CONTACT US ONLINE

See related articles:

Do I have to take a breathalyzer test if the police ask me to?

What is Drug Court and could it help me?

Drugs in a car are Everyones Drugs- The Automobile Presumption

What you should know about Probable Cause

NY Room Presumption- Guns and Drugs belong to everyone

New York Gun Laws

Do I have to take a breathalyzer test if the police ask me to?

breathalyzer-blog-syracuse-lawyersDo I have to take a breathalyzer test if the police ask me to? Most folks know that they have a right to refuse this test, and that is true. Many people are under the impression that refusing a breathalyzer test if they have been pulled over is a good move.

Lets clarify something first.  There are two breath tests you will likely be subjected to if suspected of driving while under the influence of alcohol.  The first test is the roadside test.  The second is the test done at the police station after being arrested.

The first roadside test should only be administered by the police if there are other indicators of DWI – such as a valid traffic stop, followed by possible odor, and standard field sobriety tests.  THIS ROADSIDE TEST IS NOT ADMISSIBLE AT TRIAL.  Should you take it?  Most likely the answer is yes. Regardless of the result, it will most likely not effect your case.

If you are arrested and brought down to the station for booking, you should be asked to blow into a calibrated machine.  This test is admissible and will be used to produce the actual amount of alcohol in your blood.  Should you take this test?  It depends.  How much have you drank (if anything)?  When did you take your last drink?  Have you been convicted or plead to any previous DUI or DWI charges?  These are some of the factors that come into play when making a decision.

You should know that refusing to take a breathalyzer test may result in an administrative suspension of your license by the NYS DMV for one year. This administrative suspension will prevent you from obtaining a hardship license while your case is pending in court and may result in an additional suspension of your license by the DMV beyond any suspension imposed by the court.You must think very carefully before refusing a breathalyzer test.

If you have refused a breathalyzer test, or been charged with DWI, don’t wait to get good advice. Call us at 315-701-2939 or CONTACT US ONLINE for a free initial consultation.

See related articles:

What are my rights if I am stopped, searched, or arrested by police?

Drugs in a car are Everyones Drugs- The Automobile Presumption

What you should know about Probable Cause

Felony and Guns

NY Room Presumption- Guns and Drugs belong to everyone

 

 

Whats the difference between a Hardship License and a Conditional License

There is a key difference in driving privileges regarding a hardship license and a conditional license. It’s important to understand the distinction between these two when charged with a DWI in the state of NY.

criminal-DWI-lawyer-david-zukherWhen charged with a DWI in the State of New York, there is an automatic administrative suspension of your license while the case is pending. This occurs at the initial appearance (arraignment). At that time, your attorney can help you make an application for a hardship license. This will allow you to drive to and from work, school, and to receive medical care for you or a family member. This is a to and from license only. If you drive for your job, this license is not appropriate for that situation.

30 days after you have been granted a hardship license, you may apply for a PCCL- Pre-conviction conditional license. This is done through the DMV. This license will allow you to drive for work until a resolution in the case is reached. Eligibility of this license is based on previous conditional licenses issued, and previous DWI charges.  It’s important when charged with a DWI that you have competent counsel experienced in this area of law to advise you of your rights and obligations in maintaining driving privileges. These are serious criminal charges that can impact every area of your life.  If you live in NY State, please feel free to call us at 315-701-2939 or CONTACT US ONLINE with any additional questions you may have.

If You Give the Police the Finger How Long in Jail Will You Linger?

If You Give the Police the Finger How Long in Jail Will You Linger? 

In January 2013, the police arrested a man in St. Johnsville New York for disorderly conduct, after he flipped off an officer.  After the man’s arrest, the criminal charges were dismissed and he sued the police.  Ultimately, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit allowed the man’s lawsuit against the police to survive, ruling that the “ancient gesture of insult is not the basis for a reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or impending criminal activity.”

While free speech is one of our most cherished liberties, free speech is subject to court interpretation.  As a result, time after time courts have had to consider the question:  “What are the limits of free speech?”  The answer, even for an experienced criminal lawyer, is not an easy one.  In general, Courts have identified three types of free speech, each protected at a different level:

 

  1. Pure speech:  is the verbal expression of thoughts and opinions before a voluntary audience and has received strong protection from courts.

  2. Speech-plus:  involves actions, such as demonstrating or protesting, as well as words and is not generally protected as strictly as is pure speech.

  3. Symbolic speech:  often involves no speech at all, but rather involves symbols or gestures that courts have judged to be forms of free expression, such as flipping off an officer.  Symbolic speech is always controversial and courts have sometimes held it to be beyond the limits of free speech.

 

So, can you safely flip off a cop without going to jail?  The answer is probably not.  In truth, the police will not appreciate a challenge to their authority and will likely arrest you.  The most common charges in this situation will likely be Disorderly Conduct or Obstruction of Governmental Administration.  In addition, if the police arrest and search you or your vehicle and find evidence of a different crime like possession of drugs, possession of marijuana, or possession of a weapon, you will be arrested and charged with those additional crimes.

 If you get arrested for exercising you free speech rights call Weisberg & Zukher, PLLC. at 315-701-2939 or send us an e-mail and tell us about your case at bestsyracuselawyer.com.  Your initial consultation is always free.  Our experienced attorneys will help you by vigorously defending your case under the guiding principles of Franklin Roosevelt:  “We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred, is a wedge designed to attack our civilization.”

Call Weisberg & Zukher, PLLC. at 315-701-2939 for a free consultation or send us an e-mail to tell us about your case at bestsyracuselawyer.com.

See related articles:

What are my rights if I am stopped, searched, or arrested by police?

How do I remove a criminal charge from my record?

What you should know about Probable Cause

What is Harassment?

This Blog/Web Site is made available by the publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog/Web Site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.

Can the Police Legally Search Your Butt After a Routine Stop for a Traffic Ticket?

Can the Police Legally Search Your Butt After a Routine Stop for a Traffic Ticket?

2011 04 11 - 7662 - Washington DC - DC Rights Protest
thisisbossi / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA

On August 5, 2013, a Syracuse police officer stopped a man for a traffic violation when he allegedly failed to use a turn signal.  After noticing him wiggling around in his seat, the police allegedly saw crack cocaine on the man’s seat.  When the man was brought to the Justice Center and a body search was conducted, the police allegedly found crack cocaine hidden in his buttocks.  The man was charged with drug possession third and fourth degree felonies and a drug possession in the seventh degree misdemeanor.

Did the police have the right to search the man’s butt when he was only stopped for a traffic ticket?  As with every drug case, the key issue is whether the police seizure was lawful or did the police violate the man’s search and seizure rights.  The answer requires a lawyer to analyze the legality of the search and seizure had under the federal (Fourth Amendment) and New York constitutions.  As a general rule, when a car is stopped for a traffic infraction, the police may not search absent additional grounds to believe that a crime has been committed.  The police can order the driver or passenger out of the car during a traffic stop and, if the police observe contraband in plain view, they can search the entire car, along with its occupants.  Another permissible reason for the police to search a car is when the police smell marijuana in the vehicle.

Although there are many valid reasons for the police to search a car and its occupants, the police often conduct car searches based on illegal reasons.  Just some examples are:  (1) the car is in a “high crime area;” (2) furtive movements of the car’s occupants, like “wiggling” or moving your hands; (3) the occupants giving different stories as to their travels; and (4) asking the occupants if the car contains “anything illegal they should know about” without observing any facts of a crime.

If the police conduct an illegal search, and the proper suppression motions are brought by your attorney, all property illegally seized will be suppressed and may not be used as evidence against you at trial.  In certain instances, suppression from an illegal search may extend to your statements or confession, which may be suppressed as the “fruit” of the illegal search or “poisonous tree.”

Can the police search your butt after a traffic stop?  The legal answer often depends on the skill and ability of your attorney to conduct a proper and detailed analysis of your case under the applicable search and seizure law.  The attorneys at Weisberg & Zukher, PLLC. have more than a decade of trial and motion experience with search and seizure issues.  If you are charged with a drug crime, our knowledge of search and seizure law will make all the difference in your case, to obtain the best result possible for you.

Call Weisberg & Zukher, PLLC. at 315-701-2939 for a free consultation or send us an e-mail to tell us about your case at bestsyracuselawyer.com.  O

This Blog/Web Site is made available by the publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog/Web Site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.

Candy Crush While Driving May Not Be So Sweet for Your License

candy-crush-while-driving-best-syracuse-lawyer

It’s the latest craze.  Everyone is doing it.  Yes, it’s Candy Crush.  The almost irresistible urge to check your cell phone to see if enough time has passed for you to get another life, so you can have yet one more turn at that annoying level you’ve been stuck on for days.  Or maybe, your friends sent you a life you can use to finally move down that candy crush path toward earning the envy of everyone around you, as you proudly announce a triple digit level number to signify your genius and skill.
Unfortunately, if you are overcome by the irresistible candy crush urge while driving, you may be pulled over and ticketed by the police for a violation of New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Sections 1225-c (Use of Mobile Telephone) or 1225-d (Use of Portable Electronic Devices).  These rules prohibit the use of cell phones while driving, and a traffic ticket for breaking these rules can be anything but sweet, tasty, delicious, or divine.
If you hold a New York State driver’s license, a conviction will add 2 points to your license.  This can lead to increased car insurance rates, high fines, and, ultimately, to a license suspension if you get 11 points on your license within 18 months.  Although spending hours in court dealing with a cell phone ticket can add to your candy crush status (make sure your phone is set to silent), it’s really not that great.
Even if you do not live in New York State, New York will create a driving record based on your conviction.  If you get 11 points in New York State within 18 months, you will lose your right to drive here and, chances are, that a cell phone ticket conviction in New York will appear on your home state’s driver’s license.

If you get a cell phone ticket, don’t despair.  Call Weisberg & Zukher, PLLC. at 315-701-2939 for a free consultation or send us an e-mail to tell us about your case at bestsyracuselawyer.com.  Our experienced attorneys will help you by vigorously defending your cell phone ticket or any other traffic violation.  We will help you get your life back on track and down that everlasting candy crush path.

This Blog/Web Site is made available by the publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog/Web Site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.

Charged with DWI in NY

Charged with DWI in NY – Now What?

If you have recently been charged with a DWI you are probably quite concerned about how this is going to affect you, and the rest of your life. You should be. A DWI conviction on your record may stay there for your entire life. It may affect your ability to get certain types of jobs or professional licenses. The additional insurance costs alone will be a significant increase over previously paid premiums. Additionally, in NY a DWI charge is a jailable crime. The fines, penalties, and jail time increase with each conviction.

OK, so you got charged with a DWI, so now what?

The first thing to do is call an experienced DWI Lawyer immediately. This is not a time that you can afford bad advice. Your second cousin who is a real-estate attorney is not what you need right now. You need an attorney that is familiar with the DWI laws, all the possible defenses, and the courts in which you will be appearing. This person should be willing to sit down with you, explain your rights, answer your questions, and work with you to find the best possible defense for your situation. Be sure you are speaking with an experienced DWI attorney, and not an assistant or a call-screener. Your attorney should be accessible to you throughout your case, and keep you informed of any changes or decisions as they occur.

The urgency is speaking with a qualified attorney immediately is the help with a hardship license application which must be done at the first appearance (arraignment). Discovery motions should also be done within 45 of arraignment. These things sometimes make all the difference in the outcome of a case, or if the prosecution even has a case at all. A little over a month is not much time to find an attorney, meet with the attorney, have the attorney research, write and file any possible motions. Lastly, if you are ticketed for refusing the breathalyzer, the DMV will schedule a hearing within a couple of weeks and you need a lawyer at that hearing to protect your right. If you are not successful at that hearing, the DMV suspends your drivers license for 1 year regardless of the outcome of your case.

Important information you want to convey to your attorney to assist them in putting together the best possible defense for you is:

  1. The circumstances surrounding the stop of the vehicle. Why did they pull you over in the first place? At what time?
  2. The circumstances that led the officer to believe that you may be intoxicated
  3. Who was in the vehicle with you? According to Leandra’s Law, if driving while intoxicated with a person under the age of 15 in the vehicle, your charge is a felony. Even if it’s your first offense.
  4. What is your driving history?
  5. Was there an accident involved in your charges?
  6. Did you have a breathalyzer test or a blood test taken? At what time?
  7. What other Field Sobriety tests were performed, and the time frame in which they occurred.
  8. Were there any other witnesses?
  9. The time frame in which the entire incident occurred from initial stop to Miranda rights, and arrest.

If you have been charged with ANY driving while intoxicated, DWI or DWAI offense in NYS, you can talk with an attorney in our office for a consultation for FREE. Don’t hesitate to call us at 315-701-2939 or find us on the web at bestsyracuselawyers.com for a free initial consultation.

 

This Blog/Web Site is made available by the publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the Blog/Web Site publisher. The Blog/Web Site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.