Ithaca DWI Lawyer: When is a DWI Accident Not Really an "Accident?"

Who Doesn't Love Maslow but MY POINT is
even DWI Accidents have a Hierarchy!

From markstivers.com

This is not really a trick question, seriously. The truth is that the TYPE of accident will be given great weight when negotiating your DWI/ADWI/DWAI drug charges.

How Do car accidents affect DWI plea negotiations?

Ithaca's One Way Streets: A Problem for those Tired, Lost, or Intoxicated

Corner of the Commons: Aurora Street and Seneca Street

Corner of the Commons: Cayuga Street and Green Street

Downtown Ithaca is loaded with one ways. In fact they extend for many city blocks in numerous directions. Even Route 13 splits off into two one ways. The confusion for those from out-of-town or merely just out-of-it (drunk or high) is endless. I represent dozens of people every year who drive the wrong way down our one ways. It is only by the sheer grace of G-d that people have not been hurt or killed.

VTL section 1127 (a) Driving the wrong way down a one way is a three point moving violation.

Ithaca has four main ONE WAY streets that frame The Commons:

• Seneca Street is a one way that runs from East to West. btw Seneca becomes Route 79 to Cornell.
• Green Street is a one way that runs from  East to West. Green becomes State Street Route 79 as well. Seneca and Green merge together.
• Cayuga Street is a one way (in certain areas) near the commons. It is one way from Seneca street to Clinton Street.
• Aurora Street is a one way (in certain areas) near the commons. It is one way from Seneca Street to Court Street.

The transitions between two way streets that turn into one way streets doesn't follow any sort of pattern. The main streets that surround the common are by far the most confusing.

My Advice for Safely Navigating Ithaca:

When visiting Ithaca for the first time my advice is that people should:

1. First look over a map before visiting Ithaca. Getting an overview of how the streets run is a good beginning to staying out of trouble.

2. Plot out the main East/West and North/South ways (streets) to get around the commons.

3. You should then drive these streets during the daylight hours so they don't find themselves lost when the lights are low.

Always remember to consult with an attorney about any criminal or non-criminal charges you have pending to discuss your options and/or defenses.

http://www.ithacadwi.com

newman.lawrence@gmail.com

607-229-5184

Reviews of Larry Newman:

http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/14850-ny-lawrence-newman-530905.html

Chosen as a 2013 Rising Star in DWI/DUI in Upstate New York by Super Lawyers

Ithaca DWI Lawyer: Ithaca Police: Can Our New Dog Sniff Out Drugs?

Bert is a beautiful German Shepard. 

He has an amazing focus.
Officer Kimmich is holding a hotdog, yum!

I'm familiar with the TV show, Dog with a Blog, now Ithaca Police Department has a new member, Albert the German Shepard. He is from the Czech Republic and answers to Bert. His training is in locating explosives and firearms (not drugs) but I'm sure he's more than capable of other police duties.


I caught up with the newest member of the force while visiting Lou in the commons, out local hotdog/grilled chicken stand guy.

The most dangerous encounter the police deal with day in and day out are traffic stops. Perhaps our new officer can sniff out firearms, and prevent some needless violence. Don't get on the wrong side of Bert. 

Always remember to consult with an attorney about any criminal or non-criminal charges you have pending to discuss your options and/or defenses.

http://www.ithacadwi.com

newman.lawrence@gmail.com

607-229-5184

Reviews of Larry Newman:

http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/14850-ny-lawrence-newman-530905.html

Chosen as a 2013 Rising Star in DWI/DUI in Upstate New York by Super Lawyers

Ithaca DWI Lawyer: How are Your Driver's License and DWI Integrated?

YOUR Driver's License and DWI Case are Integrated

I get phone calls and emails weekly asking for guidance on DWI/ADWI/DWAI drug license issues. It often begins with "my attorney helped me get "x" deal and my criminal case is done BUT I can't get my license back or how do I get my license back or my home state won't release my license."

What do I do? What can I do? My DWI attorney doesn't seem to know??

Ithaca DWI Lawyer: The Ithaca Plea Bargains: What's a Farrar Condition?

The Statistics Don't Lie

Average Sentence of Drug Plea bargain: 5 years, 4 months

Average Drug Sentence POST Trial: 16 years

Plea bargaining is a fact of life in New York courts, and for that matter in all courts across the country. This is the reality, our current justice system would be completely backed up if every single defendant (person accused) demanded a trial. Negotiation is part and parcel of the criminal system. How well one can negotiate a case is up to a number of factors. Some facts are hard to swallow and must be analyzed in their best light.



Often the bargain is to plea guilty is to a lesser included offense than the one or ones originally charged. The bargain is further tempered with a recommendation on sentencing to this charge.

In other words plea bargains = CERTAINTY. Certainty is comforting to the majority of people. A specific high, a specific low, and a certainty of no to little surprises as to punishment is a relief.

The judge ultimately has discretion in sentencing but,,,