Grizopoulos & Portz, P.C. Attorneys at Law

07/04/2023

DWI and Impaired Driving Increased Enforcement Patrols and Checkpoints for July 4th

During this enforcement period, drivers can expect to encounter sobriety checkpoints and DWI patrols. Troopers and Police Departments will also be looking for motorists “holding” cell phones and other electronic devices while behind the wheel. Drivers should also remember to "move over" for stopped emergency and hazard vehicles when they travel New York roadways.

Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of the operation. The CITE vehicles allow Troopers to more easily identify motorists who are using handheld devices while driving. These vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

Remember you can refuse to submit to a chemical test and any other tests offered. You should tell any officer you wish to speak to your attorney BEFORE you submit to any breath test.

You can reach an attorney at Grizopoulos & Portz P.C. at any hour on any day to help you decide what to do if you are arrested for DWI or Impaired Driving.

Grizopoulos & Portz P.C.
Attorneys at Law
24/7 Phone 516-492-8220 or 631-921-0617

From criminal charges to recovering damages in injury cases, Grizopoulos & Portz, PC has you covered. Free consultation! 35+ years' experience.

03/16/2020

Important Court Date Update RE: COVID-19
Courts are CLOSED beginning Tuesday March 17 until further notice so as not to increase any potential transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

DO NOT COME TO COURT- cases will be automatically and administratively adjourned and our office will advise you of the date as soon as we are notified by the court. (You may also receive a notification from the court)

Please understand that we may not be advised of the your new date court date for several days.

If you wish, you may always login to the eCourts Website as a guest on your own and look up your criminal court date by your name. The NYS Court website is: https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/webcrim_attorney/captcha

While our office will be physically closed during this period- we are still available by phone at 516-492-8220, although email is the best way to reach us and will result in the most prompt response. The main email is [email protected]

To help to limit personal contact during this time we will be waving the 3.9% processing charge usually assessed for credit card payments. Please call the office or email us to to arrange for a credit card payment.

We will also be adding updates via our Facebook and Instagram pages.

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08/02/2018

NEW LAW IN CANADA DENIES ENTRY TO US CITIZENS WITH DWI CONVICTIONS

Presently, non-Canadian citizens who are convicted of a DWI in any country, can't enter Canada for 10 years after their sentence has expired. This is, of course, predicated upon Canadian Customs determining that you have a prior DWI conviction at the time that you cross the border into Canada. His seems to be more prevalent when driving across the border.

In October 2018, a new law in Canada will result in the denial of entry for anyone with a prior DWI conviction regardless of how much time has passed since the conviction.

If you plan on going to Canada and you have a prior DWI conviction you should contact an attorney to discuss your options.

According to the Canadian Consulate, you can contact them to fill out paperwork and request a waiver but not until at least five years after you've completed your sentence.

If you are stopped at the border entering Canada and Canadian Customs discovers that you have a prior DWI conviction you could be denied entry and be turned around.

This is just one example of the many collateral consequences of a DWI conviction that many attorneys who don’t concentrate in DWI defense may not be familiar.

An attorney at Grizopoulos & Portz, P.C. can help you discuss your options. Contact us at 516-492-8220. We are available 24/7.

09/14/2013

The eye in the sky...almost everything you do these days is recorded on video. Pumping gas, taking money from the ATM, and paying at the register are all things we come to expect. Now with red light cameras and even private home cameras installed much more is recorded sometimes unknowingly. If you are wrongly accused of a crime or injured in an accident, getting a video can mean the difference. Don't delay in hiring our firm. Our investigators can be dispatched at a moments notice to preserve video images before they are erased! Sometimes we are even able to get a copy right away. Don't let precious time pass. Call our office today.

04/12/2013

DWI Tip of the Day: BLOW IT OR NOT? You do have the right to refuse to take any breath test, physical performance test and to answer questions. While each case is different, these decisions should be made after consultation with your attorney. You can and should tell the police officer you want to speak to your lawyer immediately. DWI focused attorneys are available at any time of day to help you decide to blow or refuse. This first decision is probably the most important one to make in your case- DON'T MAKE IT ALONE.

02/13/2013

Today's Personal Injury Law Tip: Call your auto insurance company, find out your uninsured/underinsured liability limits(UM/SUM) and increase them. This is the portion of your insurance that protects YOU if the person who hits you in a car accident has no insurance or has less coverage than necessary to cover you for your injuries. You must request it from your insurance company. If you are seriously injured in a car accident with little UM/SUM, you may be left with alot of pain and no monetary recovery. The cost for increased UM/SUM is very minimal but if you suffer a serious injury the protection is priceless.