Criminal Defense, DWI & Traffic
I have been charged. What happens now?
The first thing worth knowing is what you are actually charged with, because people routinely misjudge it in both directions. A DWI is not a traffic ticket — it is a criminal charge, and a conviction is a criminal record. A speeding ticket is not a crime, but enough points will still cost you your licence. Both start with a piece of paper telling you to appear somewhere on a date, and neither improves by being ignored.
What this covers
- DWI and DWAI — including the DMV refusal proceeding, which runs separately from the criminal case
- Misdemeanours and violations
- Traffic tickets, points, and licence suspension
- Arraignment and what happens at a first appearance
- Suffolk County district, town and village courts, and the Traffic and Parking Violations Agency
When it is worth a call
- You have been arrested or given an appearance ticket
- You have been charged with DWI, or refused a chemical test
- You are close to the points threshold, or your licence is already suspended
- A court date is coming and you do not know what happens there
What colleagues and clients say
I trust Mitch to handle all of my real estate transactions as my Of Counsel and he always comes through and often produces results I never imagined.
I found Mitch when he jumped on a conference call that my boss and I were on with the landlord and his attorney for a prospective new location. Within minutes, he cut through all the BS and uncovered a treacherous situation we almost walked into. Immediately after the call, I told my boss, "We need this guy as our General Counsel." The rest is history.
I am Outside General Counsel for the Lagos Group, which consists of one restaurant in the heart of Times Square called Lagos TSQ, one in Harlem called Native and two restaurants in Brooklyn called Native.— Mitchell S. Drucker
It was totally like out of a movie — Lincoln Lawyer — the way you schooled them… They had no idea… We will definitely do more business. It was the best money we ever spent.
Mitch is an exceptionally skilled attorney whose professionalism, strategic approach, and command of the law were evident throughout all issues presented to him. Over the course of nearly two decades, I have confidently used Mitch’s services ranging from real estate transactions, to collections, to wealth management, to other personal matters; all handled with confidence and service that has never wavered. What particularly stood out was his attention to detail, responsiveness, and ability to balance a strong legal strategy with genuine consideration for his client’s concerns and objectives. He has an impressive ability to evaluate complex legal issues, anticipate potential challenges, and explain available options in a way that is both comprehensive and easy to understand. Mitch’s combination of legal knowledge, sound judgment, effective communication, and dedication to his clients makes him an attorney I would confidently recommend to anyone seeking sophisticated and reliable legal representation.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every matter is different and depends on its own facts.
Talk it through with Mitch
Bring the situation, not a diagnosis. A short conversation usually makes the next step obvious.