Felony DWI Defense on Long Island
Serving Long Island Since 1935. Built for the Complexity of Felony DWI.
A felony DWI charge in New York carries prison time, steep fines, and lasting consequences that a misdemeanor simply doesn’t. At Blumberg, Cherkoss, Fitz Gibbons, Blumberg, we’ve defended clients across Long Island since 1935, and our four-partner structure brings the appellate depth and trial capability that felony-level cases demand.
Other law firms seek us out specifically to handle appeals, drawn by our meticulous research and strategic approach. That same rigor shapes how we build felony DWI defenses from the first hearing forward.
If you’re facing felony DUI charges on Long Island, don’t wait to get counsel. Call us at (631) 449-7699 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
When a DWI Becomes a Felony in New York
New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1192 governs drunk and impaired driving, and several circumstances elevate an offense from misdemeanor to felony. Those thresholds matter because the defense strategy shifts significantly once felony charges are on the table.
- Second offense within 10 years: A second DWI conviction within 10 years is a Class E felony, carrying fines between $1,000 and $5,000 and up to four years in state prison.
- Third offense within 10 years: Three or more alcohol- or drug-related convictions within 10 years constitute a Class D felony, with fines up to $10,000 and up to seven years in state prison.
- Leandra’s Law, child passenger: A first-time offender driving while intoxicated with a child under 16 in the vehicle can be charged with a Class E felony under Leandra’s Law, punishable by up to four years in state prison.
- Leandra’s Law, serious injury to a child: When a driver causes serious physical injury to a child under 16 while intoxicated, the charge rises to a Class C felony with exposure up to 15 years in state prison.
New York also classifies Aggravated DWI as operating a vehicle with a BAC of .18 or higher. A prior Aggravated DWI conviction within the preceding 10 years triggers a minimum 18-month license revocation on any new qualifying conviction. Three or more alcohol- or drug-related convictions or refusals within 10 years can result in permanent license revocation, with a waiver request permitted after at least five years.
Fines, Prison Exposure, & Ignition Interlock Requirements
Every felony DWI conviction in New York adds a mandatory surcharge, crime victim assistance fee, and additional alcohol fee totaling $520 on top of any court-imposed fine. License revocation is automatic. Once driving privileges are reinstated, the court requires installation of an ignition interlock device for a minimum of twelve months, though some courts may reduce that period to six months depending on the circumstances.
These consequences compound quickly. A single conviction can affect employment, professional licensing, and the ability to drive for years. The quality of representation at every stage, including potential appeals, matters enormously.
How Felony DWI Cases Move Through Nassau & Suffolk County Courts
Felony arraignments and preliminary proceedings typically begin in District Court in Nassau County and in the district-court towns of western Suffolk County. Arrests handled by local police in Suffolk’s eastern towns are generally arraigned in the town or village justice court instead. Once those proceedings conclude, the case transfers to County Court, the only New York court with authority to conduct felony trials. Nassau County Court sits in Mineola. Suffolk County felony cases are heard at the Arthur M. Cromarty Criminal Court Complex in Riverhead.
Our attorneys have practiced in Nassau and Suffolk County courts for decades and are admitted before all New York courts and local Federal Courts. That courtroom familiarity isn’t a talking point. It shapes how we prepare, who we know, and how quickly we move when timing matters.
A Four-Partner Bench Built for High-Stakes Felony Defense
Felony DWI cases carry appeal exposure that most criminal matters don’t. A questionable stop, a challenged chemical test refusal, an issue with how Leandra’s Law was applied: these are grounds that can and do reach appellate courts. Because other firms regularly retain us to handle their appeals, we approach every felony defense with that downstream exposure in mind from day one.
Our four-partner structure means your case isn’t dependent on a single attorney’s availability or bandwidth. Partners like Joshua Blumberg work directly with clients rather than delegating to junior staff. You’ll have continuity and direct access to seasoned counsel throughout the process, from arraignment through trial or resolution.
What to Expect Working with Our Firm
From your first call, you’ll work one-on-one with an attorney who knows this area of law. We don’t pass clients to paralegals for substantive legal questions, and we don’t disappear between court dates. Our attorneys communicate proactively and are available evenings and weekends by email when something comes up.
Felony DWI defense also means navigating the practical consequences of your charges while the case is still pending. We can walk clients through the license revocation process, ignition interlock requirements, and what to expect from the DMV alongside the criminal court proceedings. Understanding both tracks from the start can help you prepare for administrative consequences you didn’t anticipate.
Start with a Free Consultation
A felony DWI charge in New York moves quickly. The decisions made in the first days after an arrest can shape how the entire case unfolds. We offer free, no-obligation consultations to prospective clients facing felony DUI charges on Long Island.
Reach out today. Call (631) 449-7699 to speak with one of our attorneys and get a clear picture of where you stand.