Queens Criminal Law Blog

Field sobriety tests are a series of tests performed to show that you have a good sense of balance, good reflexes and are coherent. These tests help officers decide if you're intoxicated or under the influence of other substances.

The sad truth about field sobriety tests is that even sober people fail them. Once you fail, that failure is used as evidence against you, even if you weren't under the influence at the time. Even if you end up with an all-clear for your sobriety, you'll still have an arrest on your record.

Imagine driving home from work one night. During your evening commute through Queens, a police officer pulls you over. You had been feeling a bit off, dizzy even, so you were not totally surprised when the officer asked if you had been drinking. You were surprised, however, when the breathalyzer test came back positive for alcohol. You had not had a drop of alcohol since the weekend, so there was no possible way the test could be correct. Unfortunately, the officer's first reaction was to arrest you for driving while intoxicated (DWI).

Acetone on the breath can easily lead to a false positive on a breathalyzer test. This is because these devices are calibrated to pick up the presence of alcohol in general, not just beer and liquor. Unfortunately, since acetone is a byproduct of certain conditions, this can cause an individual suffering from hypoglycemia to blow a positive reading.

If you have an outstanding low-level summons warrant, now is your chance to get it cleared. The Queens district attorney is co-hosting a free event that is offering people a chance to start fresh and clear their names.

On Saturday, October 21, the DA, along with the Office of Court Administration and local defense attorneys, will be resolving outstanding summons warrants at the Second Chance: Queens District Attorney's Warrant Forgiveness Event.

The event, which offers free legal services and other helpful services, will take place from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York, located at 110-31 Merrick Blvd. in Jamaica. Participants must bring a valid, state-issued photo ID.

Leaving a warrant unanswered can result in arrest and can stand in the way of qualifying for a job or a place to live.

New York is hard on those who are accused of a DWI. For that reason, it's important for you to work with your attorney to defend yourself. How can you do so?

There are many ways to forge a defense, from showing that you have a medical condition that made you drive dangerously to proving that the breathalyzer was not working properly. If you can't defend yourself, then you could face a litany of penalties.