Michael Palumbo

We were hired us for what a lot of hire us for - reviewing the denial of relicensing after more than 2 lifetime DWI convictions. In other words, this client had at least 3 lifetime DWI convictions. NY is the toughest state to get your driving privileges restored after at least 2 DWI convictions. There is a confusing and complex matrix of rules that apply, and what if anything someone can do to obtain driving privileges turns on the specifics of their lifetime driving history, the content of the DMV denial letter, and their rational for denying relicensing. An overview of the new regulations can be found on my web site here: http://www.attackthatticket.com/relicensing_after_alcohol_conviction.html The simple fact of the matter is that before I can advise someone on what, if anything, they can do to restore NY privileges I must review their denial letter, review the regulations, and then intelligently interview them about particulars of their lifetime driving history. When this commenter alleges that I "should have know" certain things that is a lie because while the denial letter state convictions dates and points accrued, which are all relevant as to the severity of the relicensing hold, they do not detail which of the 1,400 courts of the State of New York they were convicted. I need to know this because sometimes the difference between a lifetime revocation and immediate restoration is going back to a court of conviction years earlier and commencing a special proceeding to vacate that conviction. Sometimes just removing one of several minor convictions is all it takes. Our office practices traffic ticket defense throughout NY, and as such we are familiar with all courts. Some will just reject the appeal, so I want to know the names of each court so that I, through my vast years of knowledge and experience, can advise my client to choose the best court to make such a request. This initial review of records, regulations, and client interview is the necessary first step required to advise the client not with guesses but with accuracy and certitude. The commenter is correct in that other lawyers simply say that there is nothing that can be done, but there is ALWAYS SOMETHING that can be done. I know because I do this for clients all the time. The question really is whether it is practical and cost effective to do, and of course clients always what to know what the chances of success are. None of these questions can be answered without taking the first step of this initial review and consultation, which I did in this case. My office has been successful for numerous clients in restoring their driving privileges or taking them from a permanently ineligible status to a 5 year hold status in which their driving privileges would be restored after 5 years. We have done this in several ways. In some cases courts reported 2 DWI convictions to the DMV when it should have only been one and on that correction privileges were restored. In others we identified an error of driving history with the DMV and upon that correction the client was eligible. In other cases we vacated old moving violation convictions and the client was eligible. There are also cases of which the driving record is so terrible that there is virtually no chance of success, and in others while there is a viable option the investment required is more than the client can afford. Whatever the case, the client hires us to review and interpret fact, regulation, and law, apply the facts to the law, and explain it to him in plain English and give him legal advice on what can be done going forward to meet his goals. That is what this client purchased, and that is what this client received. In his case there is something that can be done, but he chooses not to undertake. This is because he has a horrific driving history, so he made a cost / benefit decision that the required investment was not worth the low odds of success.