DUI/DWI Lawyer Syracuse, NY
Dedicated Syracuse DWI Lawyer
If you’ve been arrested for driving while intoxicated in the Syracuse area, you need legal representation from someone who understands what’s at stake. Luckily, George F. Hildebrandt, Attorney at Law, is here to represent you and be your trusted Syracuse DWI lawyer.
Syracuse, NY, is home to a number of bars and clubs, but you shouldn’t let a night out with your friends lead to a serious criminal offense. A DWI conviction in New York State can lead to serious consequences, including jail time, fines, license revocation, and a permanent criminal record.
As a seasoned Syracuse criminal defense attorney, George F. Hildebrandt has spent decades helping individuals fight DWI charges in Syracuse, Utica, and surrounding communities. Attorney Hildebrandt will work to protect your rights, your future, and your freedom. He represents clients facing both misdemeanor and felony DWI charges and understands how to challenge the evidence used in these cases.
Whether this is your first arrest or you have prior offenses on your record, you need experienced and personalized legal guidance. Call our law firm today at (315) 303-6533, or call us toll-free at (800) 672-3523 to schedule a confidential consultation with a criminal defense lawyer regarding your case.
New York DWI Law
In New York State, the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for a DWI is 0.08%, meaning anyone driving at or above that level can be charged with a crime under NY VTL §1192. If convicted of DWI, drivers face penalties such as jail time, fines, license suspension, and increased insurance costs.
Additionally, you can still face criminal charges even if your BAC is below 0.08%. Under New York law, driving with a BAC between 0.05% and 0.07%, or showing signs of impairment due to alcohol, can lead to a DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) charge. This is also sometimes referred to as a “common law” DWI. Though this offense may initially be treated as a traffic infraction, repeat offenses or drug involvement can elevate it to a criminal misdemeanor.
If you’re accused of driving under the influence or impaired, even with a BAC under 0.08%, the consequences can seriously impact your future. A Syracuse DUI lawyer like Attorney Hildebrandt can help you understand the charges against you, and can develop an effective defense against the prosecution’s case.
DUI/DWI Criminal Charges We Defend Against
Attorney Hildebrandt defends against various DUI/DWI criminal charges throughout Syracuse. We represent clients facing charges such as first and subsequent DWI offenses, aggravated DWI, DWI with a child passenger, and DWAI involving alcohol or drugs.
Each charge carries unique penalties and can put your reputation, rights, and freedom at risk. An experienced Syracuse DUI lawyer can help you challenge the evidence and seek the best possible outcome.
First-Offense DWI NY
A first offense DWI in New York occurs when a person is accused of operating a vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or higher and has no prior DWI convictions. Although it’s a first-time charge, the consequences can include steep fines, a jail sentence, and revocation of your driving privileges. Not only that, but once you have one DWI on your record, you run the risk of facing harsher penalties if you’re convicted of another DWI.
If you’ve been charged with a first-offense DWI, Syracuse, New York criminal defense lawyer George F. Hildebrandt can help defend you and seek the best possible outcome. As an experienced first-offense DWI attorney in Syracuse, he can examine the legality of the traffic stop, the accuracy of chemical tests, and any violations of your constitutional rights. The right legal strategy may be possible to reduce the charge or even avoid a conviction altogether.
Felony DWI NY
A DWI becomes a felony in New York when the driver has a prior DWI conviction within the past 10 years or when certain aggravating factors are involved, such as causing an accident, injuring another person, or driving with a child passenger. In New York State, a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.18% or higher qualifies as aggravated DWI.
In the most serious situations, a DWI tied to a fatal accident could result in a vehicular homicide charge, which is also a felony crime. As a seasoned felony DWI lawyer in Syracuse, Attorney Hildebrandt fights to challenge the prosecution’s evidence, question improper police procedures, and protect your rights in court. If you are facing felony charges, working with a dedicated Syracuse aggravated DWI attorney can make a meaningful difference in resolving your case.
Underage DWI NY
New York State prohibits drivers under the age of 21 from getting behind the wheel of a car with even a small amount of alcohol in their system. Underage DWI in New York occurs when someone under the age of 21 is caught driving with a BAC of 0.02% or higher. While this is considered a traffic infraction, the consequences can still seriously affect the driver.
If they have a BAC of 0.08% or higher, they could then be charged with DWI, which is a criminal offense. Having an underage DWI or other DWI charge on your record could seriously affect your educational opportunities, employment opportunities, and your overall future.
As an experienced underage DWI lawyer in NY, Attorney Hildebrandt advocates on behalf of young drivers to protect their records and minimize long-term consequences. If your child is facing an underage DWI charge, contact our office to take immediate steps to protect their rights and their future.
CDL DWI NY
A CDL DWI in NY refers to a driving while intoxicated charge involving a commercial driver’s license holder. For CDL drivers, the legal blood alcohol content limit is much lower, 0.04%, whether they are operating a commercial vehicle or a personal one. A conviction can result in serious legal consequences, as well as disqualification of their commercial license, loss of employment, and permanent damage to their driving record.
As a Syracuse commercial DWI attorney, George F. Hildebrandt is proud to defend CDL holders against DWI charges. By examining every detail of the traffic stop, breath test procedures, and the arrest itself, we can build a strategic defense on your behalf.
Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) NY
Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) in New York applies when a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle is affected by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. This applies even if a person’s blood alcohol content is below the legal limit of 0.08%. DWAI charges are often misunderstood as minor, but they can still carry serious consequences, including fines, license penalties, and a permanent record.
Attorney Hildebrandt defends against all DWAI charges by challenging the arresting officer’s observations, the reliability of chemical tests, and the legality of the stop.
Why You Need a Syracuse Criminal Defense Attorney for Your DUI/DWI Charge
Any DWI or DWAI conviction can impact your future, but having a prior offense makes things significantly worse. New York law imposes increased penalties for repeat offenses, including longer jail time, higher fines, and longer license suspensions. Prosecutors will often push for harsher sentences if you have a history of alcohol-related driving charges.
Working with an experienced Syracuse DWI attorney who protects your record is important. Our office fights aggressively on your behalf, using proven strategies to challenge the prosecutor’s case and pursue outcomes that preserve your freedom and future.
How Syracuse, NY Criminal Defense Lawyer George F. Hildebrandt Can Help
If you’ve been accused of DWI in Syracuse, you need an attorney who’s dedicated to protecting your future and your freedom. I, Syracuse defense lawyer George F. Hildebrandt, have over 40 years of experience defending clients against criminal charges in both state and federal courts. I understand how DWI cases are handled in Syracuse and across New York and how these charges can affect you.
I work closely with each of my clients to protect their driving privileges. This includes helping with conditional license applications that allow limited driving for work, school, or medical needs. I’ll thoroughly examine the circumstances of each arrest, investigating whether law enforcement had legal grounds for the traffic stop and identifying any procedural mistakes.
My defense approach includes challenging field sobriety tests, reviewing officer conduct, and challenging breathalyzer results. Even if you tested over the limit, that doesn’t automatically mean you’ll receive a conviction at trial. Let me defend you against these charges and protect your rights, your interests, and your future.
Contact Syracuse DWI Defense Lawyer George F. Hildebrandt Today
If you’re facing DWI or related charges in Syracuse or the surrounding area, don’t wait to get the legal help you deserve. You are innocent until proven guilty, and you deserve a strong defense against the accusations you’re facing. Unlike some other lawyers, Attorney Hildebrandt only practices criminal law, meaning he has extensive courtroom experience in criminal cases, as well as an in-depth understanding of New York criminal law.
We fight for the justice our clients deserve by providing experienced, aggressive defense strategies tailored to your case. Call (315) 303-6533 or use our online contact form to schedule a confidential consultation today.