Practice Areas

Criminal Defense and Personal Injury Lawyer Assisting Saratoga Springs Residents

If you have been arrested for driving while intoxicated, you need representation from a lawyer who is familiar with local courts and judges. People who have been hurt in a car accident also should seek knowledgeable legal guidance in asserting their rights. With more than 27 years of experience, Saratoga County personal injury attorney Gregory P. Garofalo takes pride in guiding people in the Capital District area through the legal process. We are proud that many of our former clients have recommended us to their friends and relatives when a legal need arose.

Defending DWI and Traffic Ticket Cases

A defendant in a criminal case may not be convicted unless the State can prove that they are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In order for the State to prove guilt, it must offer evidence of each element of the crime of which the defendant is accused. For instance, in a driving, while intoxicated (DWI) case, the state must prove that the defendant was operating a motor vehicle while their ability to drive was impaired by alcohol or drugs. As proof, the State may offer evidence of a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08{5c8c05448b626448f178d5a6ca06c946ec4e58a0438c69e4549fcdc8d2983578}, which provides a presumption of intoxication under New York law.

It is important that a defendant understands both the criminal procedural process and the possible consequences of a conviction. Even a relatively minor traffic ticket may cause an increase in insurance rates and a possible loss of driving privileges. A first-offense DWI may trigger jail time, fines, and an order to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on the offender’s vehicle. A criminal conviction may also result in a loss of employment opportunities and affect the defendant’s future educational prospects.

Representation in Car Accident Cases

Our office also helps people who have been injured or have lost loved ones in motor vehicle collisions seek fair compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and other damages. Personal injury cases are filed in civil court and have a lower burden of proof than do criminal matters, but the plaintiff must still prove that they were owed a duty of care, that the duty was breached, that they suffered harm, and that the harm was caused by the defendant’s carelessness to be able to receive compensation.

The New York statute of limitations sets a claimant’s time for filing a case. Issues such as comparative fault, uninsured motorist claims, or governmental tort liability may also complicate a seemingly simple car accident case, so it is important to talk to a lawyer soon after a crash. Insurance company representatives do not usually have an injured person’s best interests in mind when they are negotiating the settlement of a case. They are answerable to their stockholders and do their best to defeat or minimize claims whenever possible. When pursuing fair compensation, you should retain Saratoga County personal injury lawyer Gregory P. Garofalo to help investigate and, if necessary, litigate a car accident claim against a driver who was responsible.

Contact a Saratoga County Attorney for a Personal Injury or Criminal Defense Matter

Attorney Gregory P. Garofalo has lived in Saratoga County for more than 15 years and has represented many residents of Ballston Lake, Ballston Spa, Malta, Rotterdam, Clifton Park, Saratoga Springs, Gansevoort, Waterford, Albany, Latham, Schenectady, Glens Falls, and Queensbury, as well as other areas of Albany, Warren, Washington, and Schenectady Counties. To schedule a free consultation with a car accident or DWI lawyer, call us today at (515) 584-1557 or contact us online.