Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs that cause impairment is a crime in all 50 states. In New York, a DUI charge is taken very seriously and punished accordingly, though only when a conviction is actually obtained by government prosecutors. When New Yorkers are accused of drunk driving charges, they typically rely upon the advice and support of a criminal defense attorney.
A motorist was recently accused of drunk driving and is now facing several charges in relation to the incident. The 54-year-old Point Pleasant man was allegedly driving drunk in the Holland Tunnel. Officials said that he injured a Port Authority police officer as he attempted to escape.
According to reports, law enforcement officers received reports that a motorist was driving erratically. After authorities spotted the vehicle, a traffic stop was attempted but the motorist reportedly continued driving. When the driver finally stopped, he apparently put his vehicle in reverse, accelerated and struck the police car that had pulled him over, injuring the officer. A Breathalyzer test showed the man had a blood alcohol level of .20 percent, and he was arrested.
Being convicted of a DUI can severely affect an individual’s life in that he or she may be subject to heavy fines, probation, suspension or revocation of his or her driver’s license or even jail time, to name a few. However, the accused is presumed innocent unless and until prosecutors prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in court. An experienced criminal defense attorney will be able to help the accused build a strong defense by collecting and presenting all of the appropriate evidence that is in his favor, such as whether the testing equipment was properly maintained or operated, as well as examining all of the police officer’s observations of the defendant, helping him as he strives to fight the drunk driving charges.
Source: nydailynews.com, “Drunk driver crashes into cop car near Holland Tunnel“, Thomas Tracy, Sept. 2, 2016