Premier DUI/DWI Lawyer in Manhattan
An arrest for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Manhattan can turn your life upside down. The penalties are severe and immediate: you face a mandatory license suspension, steep fines, a potential criminal record, and even jail time. The Manhattan District Attorney's office prosecutes these cases vigorously, and you need a defense that is just as aggressive.
At Townsend Law, we offer a strategic advantage that few other firms can. Our founding attorney, Sarena Townsend, is a former NYC prosecutor who spent a decade handling these exact cases from the other side.
A Former DWI Prosecutor Defending You in Manhattan
When you face a DWI charge, the prosecution's case often hinges on the police officer's report, the breathalyzer results, and the field sobriety tests. As a former Deputy Bureau Chief in the Brooklyn DA's Office, Sarena Townsend successfully secured top-count convictions in DWI cases.
This experience is now your most powerful defensive weapon. We know:
· How Prosecutors Build Cases: Ms. Townsend trained prosecutors. She knows the exact procedural and evidentiary steps they must follow to build a case that holds up in court.
· How to Challenge the Evidence: We know how to attack the reliability of the breathalyzer (Intoxilyzer) test, question the administration of field sobriety tests, and find inconsistencies in police testimony.
· How to Attack the Traffic Stop: Was the initial stop legal? If the police lacked probable cause to pull you over, all evidence that followed could be suppressed.
· How to Negotiate from Strength: Prosecutors in Manhattan know Ms. Townsend's reputation as a "feared adversary" in the courtroom. They know she is not afraid to take a case to trial, which puts our clients in a superior position to negotiate a favorable plea, a reduction to a non-criminal violation (DWAI), or a complete dismissal.
Navigating Your Manhattan DWI Charge
Whether you were arrested at a checkpoint in Midtown, after dinner in the West Village, or on the FDR Drive, the process is overwhelming. From your first appearance at the Manhattan Criminal Court, you will be facing serious consequences.
We provide a comprehensive defense for all alcohol and drug-related driving offenses, including:
· DWI (VTL § 1192.2): Driving with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .08 or higher.
· Aggravated DWI (VTL § 1192.2-a): Driving with a BAC of .18 or higher, which carries enhanced penalties.
· DWAI (VTL § 1192.1): Driving While Ability Impaired by alcohol, a non-criminal violation that is often a target plea in a strong defense.
· DWAI by Drugs (VTL § 1192.4): Impairment by any drug, including marijuana or prescription medication.
· Chemical Test Refusals: Fighting the automatic license revocation at your DMV Refusal Hearing.
· Felony DWI: Charged if you have a prior DWI conviction within the last 10 years or were driving with a child in the car (Leandra's Law).
Your Advocate from Arraignment to Trial
As a premier Criminal Defense Lawyer New York residents rely on, Sarena Townsend understands that your career, your driver's license, and your reputation are on the line. We don't just handle your case; we fight for your future.
Do not plead guilty. Do not face the prosecution alone. Contact Townsend Law immediately for a confidential consultation with a former DWI prosecutor.