Criminal Traffic Ticket Lawyers in Westchester County, NY
Most car accident violations are civil matters. This means that crashes are not generally considered criminal violations under the law. In most instances, the consequences of a car accident involve an assessment of financial loss based on medical expenses and property damage. However, there are a few important exceptions to this. Hit and run crashes, DUI or DWI accidents, and accidents resulting from reckless driving can be prosecuted as criminal violations under the law. If another person was hurt or killed, you could face vehicular manslaughter charges as well. Some of these charges can be incredibly serious. Individuals could face felony charges for the actions they take behind the wheel. Yet, even a misdemeanor charge can have serious consequences. Individuals with misdemeanor charges may suffer under the stigma of having a criminal record. A criminal record can impact many aspects of your life—from your ability to find work to your ability to secure certain types of federal aid programs. If you are facing misdemeanor or felony charges, a criminal traffic accident lawyer like Darren DeUrso in Westchester County, New York may be able to help you. Our firm works with individuals facing a range of criminal charges. We will take the time to understand your case and help you understand your options as you navigate the sometimes complex criminal justice system.
Have You Been Charged with a Hit and Run in Westchester County, New York?
Under New York law, individuals who have been in a crash are required to stop and render aid, and are required to remain at the scene of the accident. Failing to stop or to render aid can result in criminal charges under New York law. In the minutes after a crash occurs, victims can be confused. You may have hit your head. You may have been disoriented. You may have been frightened about the consequences. If you left the scene of a crash and are facing criminal charges, Darren DeUrso, criminal traffic accident lawyer in Westchester County, New York may be able to help you. Our firm can review the facts of your case and present these facts in court to better explain your actions. Individuals who are charged with hit and runs can face misdemeanor or felony charges. If this is your second hit and run, you could face felony charges, which could result in jail time and seriously damage your record. Facing a criminal charge can be stressful and frightening. Darren DeUrso, a criminal traffic accident lawyer in Westchester County, New York can stand beside you every step of the way.
Are You Facing Reckless Driving Charges in Westchester County, New York?
Reckless driving is defined as driving in a manner that shows a clear disregard for safety. Unlike careless driving (in which a person’s actions resulted in an accident), for the courts to show guilt for reckless driving, they will have to establish that you acted in a willful or intentional manner behind the wheel. Reckless driving involves far more than a negligent action. If you are found guilty of reckless driving, you face more serious consequences than you would for a mere traffic ticket. Because this is a criminal charge, you will have a criminal record and may even have to serve time in jail. New York also may not permit you to expunge the charge from your record, meaning that the conviction could be on your record permanently.
What would an officer or prosecutor need to show to prove reckless driving? It depends on the charge. For instance, if you were drag racing and the court has evidence of this, you could face reckless driving charges, especially if you potentially endangered other road users by driving on a busy street. Speeding excessively—more than 25 miles above the posted speed limit—can, in some instances, be construed as reckless driving. Other situations in which a person may face reckless driving charges would be when a person tries to run from a police officer using a car or when a person tries to pass another vehicle on a two-lane highway when visibility is clearly limited.
Reckless driving charges require the state to show that you acted with intentional disregard for the safety of others on the road. Having a criminal traffic accident lawyer in Westchester County, New York on your side could make a difference in your case. Darren DeUrso can review the evidence police have gathered, speak to witnesses, and present the strongest possible case in court. You are innocent until proven guilty. If you are facing serious felony or misdemeanor charges, you have the right to seek representation from a qualified attorney.
Help for Vehicular Homicide Charges
Vehicular homicide or vehicular manslaughter are serious criminal charges. If your actions behind the wheel resulted in the death of another person, you could be facing these charges. Not all car accident deaths are classified as vehicular homicide. Police and prosecutors must decide that a driver acted willfully and recklessly, resulting in the injury or death of another person. Usually, these charges occur in conjunction with reckless driving charges or DUI and DWI charges. Individuals who text and drive and truck drivers who violate federal hours of service laws could potentially face vehicular manslaughter charges if they kill another person in an accident. However, as serious as these charges are, there are legal defenses available. For instance, a person can show that the other driver’s actions also caused the accident. Vehicular homicide charges can be complicated. If you are facing felony charges for your actions behind the wheel, you need the criminal traffic accident lawyer of Darren DeUrso in Westchester County, New York.
Facing Misdemeanor or Felony Traffic Violations in Westchester County, New York? Seek a Lawyer Today
Misdemeanor and felony traffic convictions could haunt you for life. If you are found guilty, you could have a criminal record which can impact your ability to find work, to work in certain fields, and could impact your reputation. You could face difficulty seeking an education or receiving certain types of federal aid. If you are found guilty of a felony, you could even be denied the right to vote in some states. Misdemeanor and felony traffic violations are not the same as a traffic ticket violation. Usually, these charges are reserved for more serious traffic violations, including hit and run accidents, DUI/DWI charges, and reckless driving charges. If you are facing these charges in Westchester County, New York, contact Darren DeUrso today. Our criminal traffic accident lawyer understands the criminal justice system and work hard to defend the rights of those who are facing charges. Contact our firm at 914-772-8614 today for a consultation. We may be able to help.