30+ Years Defending Southold DWI Cases
I have spent over 30 years defending clients arrested for DWI in Southold. I know the judges, prosecutors, and court procedures at Southold Town Court.
2,000+ DWI Cases Handled
From North Fork road checkpoints to serious felony DWI charges, I have successfully defended thousands of DWI cases in Southold and throughout Suffolk County.
Direct Access to Your Attorney
When you hire me, you get my personal cell phone number: (631) 903-3733. I am available 24/7 because I know DWI arrests do not happen on a schedule.
Local Southold DWI Expertise
Southold is unique—wine country destination with active enforcement. I understand the local enforcement patterns and court procedures that affect your DWI case.
Southold DWI Lawyer
If you have been arrested for DWI in Southold or anywhere on the North Fork, you need a DWI defense attorney who understands the unique enforcement patterns in this wine country region. I am Ed Palermo, and I have spent over 30 years defending DWI cases in Southold Town Justice Court.
The North Fork wine trail is a major DWI enforcement corridor. Visitors enjoying the region’s wineries, farm stands, and restaurants often find themselves facing DWI charges after being stopped on Route 48 or Route 25. Southold Town Police and Suffolk County Police both conduct active DWI patrols and checkpoints, especially on weekends and during peak season.
DWI enforcement is particularly active in the towns of Cutchogue, Mattituck, and throughout Southold. If you have been arrested, your case will be heard at Southold Town Justice Court on Main Road. I know this court, the prosecutors, and the defense strategies that work here.
If you are facing criminal charges beyond DWI in Southold, visit my Southold Criminal Defense page.
Aggravated DWI - NOT GUILTY at Trial
Client charged with Aggravated DWI (BAC over .18) after a traffic stop. The prosecution relied on breathalyzer results and officer observations. I challenged the calibration records of the testing equipment, the administration of field sobriety tests, and the officer’s basis for the initial stop. The jury returned a NOT GUILTY verdict. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Notable Verdicts & Results
First Degree Robbery - Acquittal At Trial
Client accused of gunpoint First Degree Robbery facing up to 25 years in state prison. Convinced a Suffolk County jury to acquit on all charges.
Second Degree Burglary - Not Guilty Verdict
Client charged with violent Second Degree Burglary faced three strikes rule and life imprisonment. Tried the case and convinced Suffolk County jury client was not guilty. Client immediately released after 8 months in jail awaiting trial.
Marijuana First Degree & Weapons Charges – Reduced to Misdemeanor, No Jail
Client charged with Criminal Possession of Marijuana First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon Second Degree in Suffolk County Supreme Court. Faced decade+ in prison with $1 million bail. Got bail reduced to $400,000, marijuana charge dismissed, negotiated to misdemeanor with no jail and no probation. Cash seized at arrest returned to client.
Assault - Case Dismissed
Client arrested for assault after violent altercation. Secured release on low bail and the matter was ultimately dismissed. Case reported on News 12, WABC, and WCBS.
Meet Ed Palermo
Why Choose Edward Palermo for Your DWI Defense?
Your Trusted Southold DWI Lawyer
DWI defense is not general criminal defense — it is a specialized field that requires deep technical knowledge of breathalyzer machines, blood testing procedures, field sobriety test protocols, and the science behind impairment. I have spent over 30 years building this expertise, including successfully challenging breathalyzer reliability in federal court.
When you hire me, you are not getting a lawyer who handles DWI cases on the side. I have represented over 2,000 clients facing criminal charges on Long Island, with DWI defense as a core part of my practice. I know the specific vulnerabilities in DWI evidence.
I appear regularly in Southold Town Justice Court at 53095 Route 25. The North Fork wine trail has made this one of the busiest DWI courts on the East End, and I understand how these cases are prosecuted here.
You get my personal cell phone number — (631) 903-3733. My East Hampton office at 9 Willow Lane serves the entire East End. I handle your case personally from start to finish.
What to Expect When You Call
I offer a free initial consultation where I review your DWI arrest details, explain the court process at Southold Town Justice Court, and give you an honest assessment of your case. No pressure, no obligation.
Let’s Fight This Together
A DWI arrest does not have to ruin your life. Contact me today. Call my cell at (631) 903-3733 — I am ready to fight for you.
DWI Charges & Defense on the North Fork
DWI Charges on the North Fork — What You Are Facing
DWI (VTL § 1192.3): Standard DWI for BAC .08 or higher. Misdemeanor carrying up to one year in jail, fines up to $1,000, and minimum 6-month license revocation.
Aggravated DWI (VTL § 1192.2-a): BAC .18 or higher. Increased fines up to $2,500 and minimum one-year license revocation. Wine tasting can lead to higher BAC levels.
DWAI (VTL § 1192.1): BAC .05-.07. Traffic infraction, not a criminal charge. Often the target reduction in plea negotiations.
DWAI-Drugs (VTL § 1192.4): Impaired by drugs including prescription medications and marijuana.
Felony DWI: Prior conviction within 10 years or serious injury involved. Up to 4-7 years in state prison.
Facing Other Criminal Charges in Southold?
If you are facing criminal charges other than DWI in Southold, I can help. Visit my Southold Criminal Defense page to learn how I defend clients charged with assault, drug offenses, theft, and other crimes on the North Fork.