According to a press release issued by the New York State Police, a 29-year-old man from Riverhead, N.Y., was arrested for driving while intoxicated. At the time of his arrest, he had two children with him in the vehicle, ages 10 and 12.
At around 11 p.m. on March 12, 2017, the man was traveling on Peconic Avenue when he was pulled over by a state police officer for the failure to wear his seatbelt. During the traffic stop, the officer noted an intense odor of alcohol coming from him.
The driver failed multiple field sobriety tests. He was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated under Leandra’s Law, which is a class E felony. He was also charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child for having the two children as passengers while he was driving while impaired. He was also assessed a number of traffic violations. According to the police, the children were released into the custody of their mother. The driver was arraigned at Riverhead Town Justice Court and was then remanded into custody at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility.
Individuals who are charged with offenses related to driving while intoxicated are at risk of significant penalties if they are convicted. An attorney who practices criminal law should be contacted to ensure that their rights are protected.
A criminal defense attorney may advocate on behalf of clients who have been arrested and charged with multiple drunk driving charges, including aggravated driving while intoxicated or vehicular homicide due to impaired driving. Depending on the factors of a client’s case and whether the client has a prior record of DWIs, the attorney may attempt to negotiate reduced charges and penalties. If necessary, the attorney will protect a client’s interests during a trial.
