BROOKLYN DWI DEFENSE LAWYER

Refusing a Brethalyzer Test in Brooklyn

Under New York DWI Laws, a driver has the right to refuse a breathalyzer test. Most Brooklyn DWI lawyers would tell a client not to blow in the breathalyzer machines. If he does, pursuant to VTL 1194 he has the right to have a hearing at the DMV within 10 days of the refusal. These “refusal hearings” are conducted in lower Manhattan at a DMV officer in front of a DMV judge. One important thing to remember is that the refusal hearing and the court case are totally separate entities. One has almost nothing to do with the other.

The first date of the hearing the police officer will probably not appear. The DMV then must adjourn it for him to appear but the driver will receive his driving privileges back. At the second hearing, if the police officer does not appear, the hearing will go on and a decision will be rendered based on the paperwork done the police officer.

There are several motions that can be made to dismiss the case and it requires the experience of a Brooklyn DUI lawyer to make the appropriate motions. After having done over forty of these hearings, I am still surprised that people show up without an attorney. If you looses the DMV hearing your driving privileges are suspended for one full year, and there is very little you can do about it.