With respect to providing advice to my clients, it is seldom useful to do so after the fact of their arrest, as it will have no effect on the present case. However, a discussion with them may be helpful, as may a referral to the many programs that are available and frequently required by the court.
With respect to suggestions for other lawyers defending DUI cases in New York, I would advise any attorney handling a DWI case not to treat it cavalierly; rather, take some time to go through any and all of the good treatises, such as Handling the DWI Case in New York. It is critical for counsel to prepare themselves for negotiating with the local district attorney’s office or for trial. The importance of knowledge of such matters as Fourth Amendment automobile stops, the mechanics of the Breathalyzer test, and the various plea bargains allowed and their sentences cannot be too heavily emphasized.
