New York Criminal Attorney Blog
Tilem & Campbell managing partner Peter Tilem is certified in Driving Under the Influence Detection and Field Sobriety Testing. He has taken the same training many law enforcement officers have. He has also completed the National Association Criminal Defense Lawyers 2009 DUI Defense Seminar. Mr. Campbell is an experienced New York DWI trial attorney having tried both felony and misdemeanor DWI cases.
Peter Tilem is a former prosecutor who is experienced in not only defending DWI cases but with prosecuting them as well. Having been a former prosecutor who prosecuted thousands of cases, including DWI, Mr. Tilem brings a unique perspective to DWI defense. Together, Mr. Campbell and Mr. Tilem provide you with a competent, aggressive, experienced and knowledgeable defense team.
Generally, people charged with crimes fall into two categories: (1) true criminals; or (2) decent people who happen to commit an offense. The large majority of individuals charged with Driving While Intoxicated (VTL 1192(2) and/or VTL 1192(3)) fall into the second category. In other words, generally, those charged with DWI are otherwise law-abiding, gainfully employed decent members of society who happen to commit the crime of Driving While Intoxicated. Unlike most crimes, Driving While Intoxicated affects all socio-economic classes, all neighborhoods, all races, all ethnicities, all religions, all professions and all cross-sections of society.
By consuming just a few alcoholic beverages, otherwise completely law-abiding individuals (doctors, lawyers, accountants, engineers, salesmen, stock brokers, construction workers and yes, even police officers) can find themselves charged criminally with Driving While Intoxicated. A common mistake one unfamiliar with the criminal justice system can make when charged with DWI is retaining an attorney unqualified to defend DWI charges.
Because the vast majority of people charged with DWI are otherwise law-abiding individuals, they typically don’t know a criminal defense attorney. So what do they do when they’re arrested for Driving While Intoxicated? Many times they call their “family” attorney; the attorney who represented them when they bought their home or prepared their wills. This can prove disastrous if their “family” attorney is not competent to defend DWI cases.
Driving While Intoxicated is a serious crime that requires a competent attorney experienced with defending DWI cases. The stakes are too high to simply turn to your family attorney. A criminal conviction can; put your professional licenses at risk; result in jail or state prison; insurance increases; high fines and fees; loss driver’s license; vehicle forfeiture; probation and court ordered alcohol counseling is possible.
To properly defend a DWI case, your attorney must be competent and knowledgeable with the laws and health department regulations pertaining to Driving While Intoxicated. Your DWI lawyer must also be well versed in certain aspects of forensic toxicology, the science and general principles associated with breath testing machines, blood testing and urine testing. Your DWI attorney should also be thoroughly educated in the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, their administration and scoring.
For more information and a free telephone consultation, feel free to contact Tilem & Associates toll free at 1-888-DWI-COUNSEL or visit us on the web at www.888DwiCounsel.com.