PRACTICE AREAS

CRIMINAL DEFENSE IN ULSTER COUNTY

An arrest on a criminal matter is traumatic whether the charges are drunk driving, DWI, DWAI (also known as "DUI" in other jurisdictions), traffic offenses, violations, misdemeanors or felonies.

Peter M. Cordovano, P.C. effectively represents people so accused by protecting their individual rights while minimizing financial penalties and jail time. To provide the strongest possible representation to clients, Attorney Cordovano limits his criminal practice to only cases in the courts of Ulster County.

FAQ: “Do I need a criminal defense lawyer”? If you have been arrested, charged with a crime or are under investigation, call Peter M. Cordovano, P.C. immediately for a consultation.

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)

DWI is a very serious matter, and with only a .08 limit in NYS, even persons who do not feel impaired may be over the legal limit of intoxication for operating a motor vehicle. In such cases, Peter M. Cordovano, P.C., recommends firm interaction with law enforcement. Simply being arrested for DWI does not mean you are guilty, which must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Statements made to law enforcement at the time of detainment or arrest can severely hamper your defense, result in severe financial penalties or result in the loss of your freedom.

If you’ve been arrested in Ulster County, seek legal counsel from Peter M. Cordovano, P.C. The Firm will review police reports for inaccuracies, determine if the officers had “probable cause” to arrest you, and subpoena all necessary records and tests. It is only after a thorough investigation that Attorney Cordovano will help you to decide whether to accept a plea or not. Sometimes testing machines will provide results that are incorrect. Also, medications may have caused false readings. Peter M. Cordovano, P.C. will find information to help in your defense.

Traffic Tickets

Attorney Cordovano has tried traffic offenses including speeding, running red lights, attempted evasion of law enforcement, illegal lane change, etc. Motorists do not realize that even some “violations” under NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law are criminal. Such “violations” include DWI, driving while ability impaired by drugs, driving without a license, driving without insurance, reckless driving, passing a stopped school bus, etc. Therefore, penalties may include jail time, fines, and state mandated surcharges. Taking a defensive driving course can also help reduce the impact of points on your NYS Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) record.

Serious consideration is given to either negotiating a plea or trying the ticket. The bottom line on defending any charge under the Vehicle and Traffic Law, after determining if there are criminal consequences, is to keep “points” off your DMV record. Obtaining an outright dismissal is the most desirable result. However, if such a result cannot be obtained, Attorney Cordovano will negotiate a plea to keep points off your record.

Driver License Compact

FAQ: “I have a NYS driver's license but I plan to apply for a New Jersey driver's license. Will the points and information about my NYS driving related convictions be transferred to my New Jersey driver record”?

Over 40 states belong to what's known as the Driver License Compact (DLC), which is an agreement among states that obligates member jurisdictions to exchange information about an individual’s driving history. The primary purposes of the compact are:

To promote compliance with the laws, ordinances, and administrative rules and regulations relating to the operation of motor vehicles in each of the member jurisdictions.
To ensure that each driver in a member jurisdiction has only one legitimate driver’s license at a time.
To ensure that the state that issues the driver’s license has a complete record of the individual’s past driving history.

In the example above, the NJ DMV will request your NYS driver record and review it for convictions under DLC rules. For many types of violations, the NJ DMV will only record the conviction information on your NJ driver record, and will not assess points. However, if you have been convicted of a serious violation as identified in DLC Article IV, then the DMV will record both the conviction information and the associated points. The number of points assessed is equal to the number that would have been assessed if the conviction had occurred in NJ.

If you have questions, or need an experienced and dedicated attorney, call Peter M. Cordovano, P.C. today for an appointment at 845-691-4200. Your case will be handled immediately, personally, confidentially and professionally.

This site and the information contained herein are not intended to be, nor should same be construed as a substitute for legal advice. For any particular issue or concern, please consult with an attorney.