Award Winning &
Highly Rated
7-Time Best Lawyer on Long Island — 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2026
There is no Lawyer fighting harder than me!
I treasure my clients and truly appreciate that they retain me to defend them in matters of such importance. I will do everything in my power to get you a great result.
I am always directly available to my clients
All of my clients receive my personal cell phone number. Clients can contact me anytime. A client who knows that his / her lawyer is available is a happy client.
Speak Directly To Ed
We understand this can be one of the most embarrassing, stressful times in their lives. We are here to help.
I will answer all of your questions. I will explain the DWI charges you face. I will explain potential strategies to win your case. New clients ALWAYS feel better after they speak to me.
- Ed Palermo
Nassau County DWI Lawyer
Aggressive Nassau County DWI Defense | 31+ Years Experience
An arrest for driving while intoxicated in Nassau County can instantly derail your career, your family structure, and your freedom. The Nassau County District Attorney’s office operates a zero-tolerance framework for vehicular offenses. I am Ed Palermo, and I have spent more than three decades building tactical defenses to dismantle breathalyzer findings, expose invalid traffic stops, and safeguard my clients’ reputations.
Text Ed Directly: (631) 903-3733
When you are facing a dedicated vehicular crimes unit in Hempstead or Mineola, you cannot afford to rely on general legal advice. As a 7-time Best Lawyer on Long Island winner, I provide the uncompromising trial presence needed to challenge the state’s forensic evidence and keep your driver’s license safe.
Nassau County Accidental DWI Trial – UNANIMOUS NOT GUILTY VERDICT
Represented a Connecticut resident and professional school teacher who was arrested following a motor vehicle accident while traveling home from a concert at Jones Beach. The prosecution and local law enforcement were heavily motivated, relying on statements from the other driver involved in the crash and arresting officers who firmly asserted that my client was behind the wheel while intoxicated. Facing a career-ending criminal conviction and potential jail time, we refused to accept a plea bargain and pushed the matter to a full trial. I aggressively contested the state’s timeline and deconstructed the scene evidence to establish that the prosecution lacked conclusive proof beyond a reasonable doubt on the critical element of operation. Following a comprehensive bench trial, Judge Girardi returned a definitive NOT GUILTY VERDICT, completely exonerating my client and saving his teaching career. (This victory matches my other recent high-stakes Nassau trial success where a commercial crane operator facing severe professional exposure was found NOT GUILTY on all driving while intoxicated counts before a local jury).
When prosecutors demand jail time and refuse to back down, your future depends on an unyielding trial attorney. Text my cell directly 24/7 to put over three decades of trial experience in your corner.
Notable DWI Results
Teacher Charged with Aggravated DWI – Nassau County First District Court (Hempstead) – Judge Girardi
NOT GUILTY
My client was a teacher whose career would have been destroyed by a DWI conviction. She was charged with aggravated DWI with additional violations following a motor vehicle accident in Nassau County. I scheduled the matter for trial before The Honorable Joseph Girardi in Nassau County First District Court. First, I obtained dismissal of the additional violations after motion during the trial. My client was then found NOT GUILTY of the aggravated DWI charge after trial. All charges were dismissed and she was able to resume her life and career with a clean record.
Crane Operator – Nassau County First District Court (Hempstead) – Judge Girardi
NOT GUILTY Verdict at Trial
I represented a crane operator who worked in New York City. A misdemeanor conviction would have resulted in the loss of his employment—his career depended on a clean record. I took the case to trial before Judge Girardi in Nassau County First District Court. The jury came back with a NOT GUILTY verdict on the driving while intoxicated charge. My client walked out of court with his job, his license, and his future intact.
Truck Driver – Nassau District Court
CDL Saved, DWI Reduced to Speeding Ticket
I represented a truck driver in Nassau District Court who was charged with driving while intoxicated. Any conviction for driving while intoxicated—or even the reduced charge of driving while ability impaired—would have caused a one-year revocation of his commercial driver's license, ending his career. I was able to successfully negotiate a disposition down to a speeding ticket, saving his CDL and avoiding any alcohol-related finding. My client kept his license and his livelihood.
Ed Palermo: Your Local Mineola & Hempstead DWI Defense Attorney
I’ve dedicated over 31 years to criminal defense, representing more than 2,000 Long Island residents facing charges ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies. My practice focuses exclusively on high-stakes criminal defense and DWI cases in Nassau County courts, Suffolk County courts, and throughout Long Island.
I appear regularly in the Nassau County District Court in Hempstead handling misdemeanor offenses, the Nassau County Court in Mineola defending serious felony indictments, and local village and town justice courts across Nassau County. I know the prosecutors, the judges, and the distinct court culture in each jurisdiction, knowledge that comes only from decades of consistent, daily courtroom presence.
My trial experience matters. I’ve secured “not guilty” verdicts in complex cases. I’ve negotiated favorable, non-custodial outcomes in cases where clients faced state prison time. I’ve successfully gotten serious felony charges reduced and dismissed when prosecutors were certain they held air-tight cases.
But what I’m most proud of is how my clients feel after our first conversation. That initial crushing wave of panic transforms into absolute confidence once they realize they have an experienced advocate who knows exactly how to dismantle the District Attorney’s case.
Education:
- Hofstra University – B.A. (1990)
- Hofstra University School of Law – J.D. (1994)
Court Admissions:
- All New York State Courts
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York (EDNY)
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (SDNY)
Professional Recognition:
- 7-Time Best Lawyer on Long Island (2019–2024 & 2026)
- New York Law Journal Trailblazer Award (2019)
- AVVO Rating: 10/10 “Superb”
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel – Top One Percent
Testimonials
"I cannot recommend Edward Palermo Highly enough. I was facing both a DWI charge and a refusal to blow, and it was one of the scariest times of my life.
The District Attorney was adamant about giving me probation, but Mr. Palermo wouldn’t give up. He fought hard for me, and because of his commitment, I received a conditional discharge with no probation, something I didn’t think was even possible.
Monica
" DISMISSED"
I had a dwi case in Nassau and when I tell you he got my case dismissed i mean DISMISSED and dwi wasn’t the only charge.
Roach Built
"Ed did an AMAZING job for me"
I got my 2nd DWI within 7 years...driving with a revoked license from the first DWI. I had 5 charges at all thrown at me. Ed managed to get me the greatest deal.
Steve S.
"So grateful!"
Having attorney Ed Palermo as my defense attorney was an amazing experience. He knew the law inside and out and kept me updated throughout my case. So grateful!
Richie W.
"Miracle worker and such a gentleman."
I searched for a lawyer for a friend of mine and hands down Ed is the Best lawyer on Long Island. The Best!!!!!!! I’d refer him to anyone. Miracle worker and such a gentleman.
Catherine F.
"... took care of me through every stage."
Ed guided and took care of me through every stage. Any question I had or concern he would explain the situation, options and how we overcome it to resolve the best outcome for me.
Ed H.
Online Ratings
Understanding DWI and Defense
Legal Authority & Author Attribution:
The local chemical testing defense metrics, license restoration guidelines, and trial data on this page have been directly authored, reviewed, and verified by Edward Palermo, Esq., a premier Long Island DWI defense attorney with over three decades of dedicated daily practice inside Nassau and Suffolk County courts. Recognized as a 7-time Best Lawyer on Long Island winner, Mr. Palermo operates a primary local defense office in Mineola. Page last updated: May 2026.
An Arrest in Nassau County is Not the End of Your World
If you have just been pulled over or arrested for driving while intoxicated in Nassau County, you are likely trapped in a sudden, overwhelming wave of panic, intense embarrassment, and self-loathing. Staring at a set of criminal charges, facing an immediate driver’s license suspension, and realizing your career could be completely destroyed is a terrifying place to be. I want you to take a deep breath right now: this is not the end of the world, and an aggressive, highly capable path to a light at the end of the tunnel is on the horizon.
For more than 31 years, the very first text or phone call clients make to my office brings an immediate, profound sense of relief. When you speak to me, the shame and anxiety leave the room. I don’t lecture you, I don’t judge you, and I don’t pass blame. My singular job is to take the entire weight of the state off your shoulders, secure your immediate peace of mind, and construct a defense shield between you and an exceptionally aggressive prosecution framework. Once I take over your file, you will finally understand that your future can be saved.
Put an End to the DWI Panic Right Now
Do not sit alone with your anxiety while prosecutors build their case. Tap the button below to text my personal cell phone directly. Let me bring you immediate relief and a clear plan to protect your license and liberty.
Fighting the Toughest DWI Jurisdiction in New York
Make no mistake: Nassau County enforces an extraordinarily aggressive posture toward driving while intoxicated charges, arguably ranking as the most severe jurisdiction in the nation. Ever since a catastrophic, high-profile wrong-way limousine tragedy decades ago, the Nassau County District Attorney’s office has operated with zero flexibility. State prosecutors routinely demand actual jail sentences and permanent criminal records—even for first-time offenders with absolutely no prior record. Just today, I stood in court beside three clients who were all facing active jail offers from the state.
To fight back against this zero-tolerance atmosphere, you cannot hire a legal generalist. I am 100% dedicated to criminal and DWI defense. For over three decades, I have been in the local trenches every single day, systematically outmaneuvering aggressive prosecution tactics and convincing local judges to completely reject state prison recommendations. I know the unique perspectives of the judges, the specific legal parameters of the supervising prosecutors, and exactly how to utilize deep, customized character mitigation to protect your freedom across all local courtrooms:
- Nassau County District Court (Hempstead): The high-volume center of local enforcement where I handle continuous arraignments, fast-moving misdemeanor tracks, and critical evidence reviews.
- Nassau County Court (Mineola): Located just blocks from my local office on Franklin Avenue, where I fight severe, high-exposure felony DWI indictments and multiple-offense cases.
- Long Beach City Court: Defending localized resort stops, seasonal operations, and municipal justice court parts.
Long Island DWI Blueprint: Facing cross-jurisdictional investigations or broad criminal indictments on Long Island? Access our comprehensive playbook for Long Island DWI Defense or examine our strategic playbook for fighting Nassau County Criminal Charges.
Challenging Discovery Gaps and Keeping You on the Road
A winning driving while intoxicated defense in Nassau County is never achieved by simply hoping for a lenient offer. It requires aggressively auditing the state’s technical file from the moment of the vehicle stop. Over my 31+ years of trial practice, I have mastered the technicalities of New York’s automatic discovery statutes, forcing the state to provide every piece of mandatory calibration logbooks, precinct video streams, and medical forensics. If the state cuts corners or fails to meet strict statutory deadlines, I file immediate motions to challenge the validity of their entire prosecution file.
Nassau County License & Evidence Protection Matrix
| Hardship Privileges & Licensing | Defeating immediate mandatory pending prosecution suspensions. We intervene aggressively to secure conditional licenses and hardship privileges, ensuring you can legally drive to work, school, and medical appointments. |
| Automatic Discovery Challenges | Auditing precinct breathalyzer logs, calibration histories, and police bodycam discovery streams to identify statutory gaps that can form the basis for a complete dismissal. |
| Felony & Multiple Offense Mitigation | Deploying advanced, customized character documentation and clinical defense strategies to systematically dismantle jail recommendations and preserve your career asset. |
Direct Access to a Lifelong Long Island DWI Champion
I refuse to run a high-volume corporate legal factory. When you trust my firm with your future, your file is never handed off to an intake secretary, a legal clerk, or a junior associate who has never selected a jury or cross-examined a highway patrol officer. **You deal directly with me.** I personally map out your defense layout, I negotiate with the prosecutors I have stood beside for over three decades, and I stand with you before the judge. Every single client I accept receives my personal cell phone number for constant, direct communication.
Let’s get the shame and anxiety out of your life. Let’s protect your career, your driving privileges, and your freedom. Text my cell phone right now, tell me exactly what happened at the stop, and feel the immediate relief of a premier defense strategy taking control of your case.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much does a Nassau County DWI lawyer cost?
Fees vary based on the complexity and severity of the case. Simple first-offense DWI cases may cost $2,500 to $5,000, while aggravated DWI or felony cases requiring trial preparation could cost $7,500 to $15,000 or more. I offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case and provide transparent pricing.
Learn more about the cost of a Nassau County DWI lawyer here.
Can I get a DWI dismissed in Nassau County?
Yes, it is possible. DWI charges can be dismissed or reduced if there are procedural errors, unreliable breathalyzer results, or constitutional violations. An experienced lawyer will review every detail of your arrest to identify weaknesses in the prosecution's case.
What happens at my first court appearance for DWI in Nassau County?
Your first appearance is the arraignment, which typically occurs at Nassau County First District Court in Hempstead, Long Beach City Court, or Nassau County Court in Mineola depending on where you were arrested and the severity of the charges. You'll be informed of the charges and asked to enter a plea. The court may also address bail and issue orders.
Will I lose my license after a DWI arrest in Nassau County?
Your license will typically be suspended at arraignment pending the outcome of your case. However, you may be eligible for a conditional license that allows you to drive to work, school, and medical appointments. A DWI lawyer can help you understand your options and fight to protect your driving privileges.
Should I take the breathalyzer test if I'm pulled over in Nassau County?
This is a complex decision. Refusing a breathalyzer test in New York results in an automatic license suspension and a civil penalty. However, refusing may also limit the evidence against you. The best course of action depends on your specific circumstances—if you've already been arrested, contact a lawyer immediately to discuss your case.
How long does a DWI case take in Nassau County?
Most DWI cases in Nassau County resolve within 3 to 6 months, though complex cases or those going to trial may take longer. The timeline depends on court scheduling, motions filed, and whether plea negotiations are successful.
What should I do if I’m arrested for DWI in Nassau County?
You should immediately remain silent and request a DWI defense attorney. Anything you say can be used against you, and a lawyer can protect your rights from the very beginning.
Learn more about what to do if arrested for a DWI in Nassau County.
Is DWI a felony in Nassau County?
A first-time DWI is typically a misdemeanor, but it can be charged as a felony if there are aggravating factors like prior convictions, injuries, or a child passenger. The severity of the charge depends on your criminal history and the circumstances of the arrest.
Honors & Recognition
