Aggressive DWI Defense
    
Whether you made a mistake or were wrongfully accused, you need an experienced DWI attorney to represent you. Attorney Cornwell has handled more than a thousand DWI cases as a prosecutor and defense attorney. A DWI conviction carries severe penalties and consequences which can include jail, probation, excessive fines and surcharges, DMV Assessment Fees, loss of employment, and revocation or suspension of your license. If you have been charged with DWI or DWAI you need to speak to an attorney specializing in DWI immediately. Call for a free case evaluation.

DWI is a Crime

A conviction for DWI will give you a criminal record for the rest of your life. You will have fingerprints and mug shots taken. Your criminal record will stay on file with the state forever and can be viewed by others. You will have to disclose your criminal record on all sorts of forms and applications for the rest of your life or risk being charged with another crime of falsifying records. However, if you are not convicted of DWI, the court documents will be sealed and your fingerprint cards will be returned to you. DON'T SETTLE FOR A CRIMINAL RECORD.

"Not Guilty"

Everyday, drivers are pulled over for minor traffic infractions and end up being arrested for DWI, despite the fact that they were not drunk. Unfortunately, in many cases, drivers are charged based solely upon a police officers suspicion that they are drunk, not conclusive proof. Many of the tests used to determine intoxication are very unreliable.

In fact, some of the tests used to determine whether someone is drunk are so unreliable that they cannot even be used in court to prove your guilt. The breath test and field sobriety tests used roadside range from inherently unreliable to voodoo science. Even the alcohol analysis performed at the police station is not enough to prove your guilt. However, it takes an experienced DWI attorney to challenge those tests.

You are presumed to be innocent until the prosecutor proves that you were driving drunk. It is not illegal to drink and drive. You can have several drinks and operate a motor vehicle legally and safely. They must prove that you were intoxicated at the time you were driving. In order to find you guilty, the law requires them to prove that the alcohol had a "substantial" effect on your physical and mental ability to operate a motor vehicle. To make sure your rights are protected, call (607) 797-5123 for a free case evaluation.

"Guilty"

People make mistakes. There should be consequences for those mistakes. However, the punishment should not be unfairly harsh or excessive. Even if you believe you were driving drunk, you are entitled to an aggressive defense. Because the consequences can be so severe, you need an experienced DWI lawyer to help you. Don't settle for whatever the DA and the Court decide to give you. To make sure your rights are protected, call (607) 797-5123 for a free case evaluation.

Legal Defenses

Under our system, a defendant may raise legal defenses in an attempt to challenge the evidence against them. Some of these issues include: challenging the credibility of the allegations and witnesses, challenging testing procedures, challenging the constitutionality of a stop and/or search, etc. We review your file to determine whether there are legitimate legal defenses which should be raised to the prosecutor or court.

Equity

The District Attorney's Office and the Courts will also consider the equities involved in the case to determine what a fair result under the circumstances is. Examples of these factors include: prior criminal history, clean license, prior alcohol related incidents, whether there was an accident, potential loss of employment, level of BAC, courteous treatment to police, etc. We obtain equitable information from you that can be used to help reduce the charges and/or sentence.

Negotiation

Legal defenses and equities are discussed with the prosecutor (and sometimes the judge) at a pre-trial conference. The strengths and weaknesses of the case are also discussed and the prosecutor makes an offer. A properly prepared case can make the difference between a criminal record or a clean record. We present all of the information that is beneficial to your case. 

Keeping Your Driver's License

Your license to drive may (or must) be suspended pending prosecution and revoked if you are convicted of DWI. You are not guaranteed a "hardship license" to drive to work and school. You are entitled to a hearing to keep your license or obtain a hardship license. In some cases, the court cannot suspend your license, but they do it anyway. We evaluate the case and raise the legal issues to the court. If you are eligible, we will help you keep your full driving privileges or obtain a hardship license while the case is pending. If you are convicted, we will explain what you have to do to get a restricted license during the period of revocation. 

Cost

The cost of defending a DWI charge depends on the facts of the case. Attorney's fees can be expensive, but hiring an attorney can save you money in the long run. We negotiate with the DA to reduce the charges in your case, which reduces the amount owed on fines and surcharges; we work to keep your license, which keeps you employed; we work to help you avoid a criminal conviction, which helps you earn a living for the rest of your life; and we handle all aspects of the case to give you piece of mind.  

Our minimum fee is $1,000 for misdemeanors and $1,500 for felonies. Generally the cost of defending a misdemeanor DWI is between $1,500-$2,500. Felony cases are more expensive.

Call (607) 797-5123 for a free case evaluation and a price quote. 

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