DWI Lawyer in New Rochelle, NY

Former Prosecutors. Bestselling Authors. Defending New Rochelle DWI Cases.

A DWI arrest moves fast. Your license can be suspended before your first court date, and the criminal charge that follows can affect your employment, your record, and your future. At Proto, Sachs & Brown, LLP, we represent New Rochelle residents facing DWI charges in New Rochelle City Court and throughout Westchester County, bringing over 100 years of combined legal experience and a team that includes multiple former Assistant District Attorneys to every case.

Our attorneys are co-authors of national bestselling books on DWI and criminal defense. That published depth of knowledge isn’t a marketing line. It reflects the level of analysis we apply when we evaluate a case. We’re selected for Super Lawyers, placing our attorneys among the top 5% of New York attorneys, and we’ve received the Avvo Clients’ Choice Award in criminal defense.

DWI Charge Types We Defend in New Rochelle

New York law creates several distinct charge categories depending on blood alcohol concentration, prior history, and the circumstances of the arrest. The charge you face shapes both the penalties you’re exposed to and the defense approach that makes sense.

Charges our DWI defense attorneys handle include:

• First-time and misdemeanor DWI (BAC of .08% or higher)
• Aggravated DWI (BAC of .18% or higher, carrying longer revocation periods and steeper fines)
• DWAI by alcohol (BAC of .05%–.07%), a traffic infraction that still carries fines and up to 15 days in jail
• DWAI by drugs or combined alcohol and drugs
• Felony DWI, charged when a prior DWI conviction exists within the past 10 years
• Leandra’s Law violations, an automatic class E felony when a child under 16 is in the vehicle, punishable by up to 4 years in state prison

Each charge carries its own exposure under New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Law. Knowing which category applies, and what the prosecution must prove, is where a defense begins.

Why New Rochelle Clients Choose Proto, Sachs & Brown, LLP

Our former-prosecutor attorneys spent their careers on the other side of DWI cases in Westchester County. That experience tells us how these cases are built and, critically, where they can come apart. We bring that perspective directly to our clients’ defense.

As a multi-attorney firm, we can assign multiple lawyers to analyze a case from different angles. You won’t lose coverage because of one attorney’s unavailability. We return calls promptly, meet with clients to discuss the specifics of their situation, and give each case the individualized attention it deserves. Every engagement starts with a free consultation.

What a DWI Conviction in New Rochelle Can Cost You

The consequences of a conviction extend well beyond the courtroom. A misdemeanor DWI can result in up to one year in county jail or three years of probation, along with fines and mandatory ignition interlock device installation on any vehicle you drive. A felony DWI can mean state prison time, up to five years of probation, and higher fines.

Financial Penalties & License Consequences

New York’s Driver Responsibility Assessment adds mandatory annual payments to the DMV for three years. An alcohol or drug-related conviction carries an annual assessment of $250, totaling $750 over three years. License consequences range from a 90-day suspension for DWAI to a minimum 6-month revocation for standard DWI and one year or more for a felony.

Long-Term Collateral Consequences

A conviction can also require participation in the Drinking Driver Program and, in some cases, a Victim Impact Panel as a condition of sentencing or conditional license eligibility. Beyond those requirements, a permanent criminal record can affect employment, professional licensing, immigration status, and travel to certain countries.

Talk to a New Rochelle DWI Defense Attorney Today

The period immediately after a DWI arrest is critical. Deadlines for contesting your license suspension are short, and the decisions made early in a case can shape everything that follows. We serve clients throughout New Rochelle and Westchester County and are ready to review your situation at no charge.