DWI Lawyers in Buffalo and Western New York

Drinking and Driving ( DUI and DWI ) -
It is a crime to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription drugs. Complete intoxication is not required; the level of alcohol or drugs in the driver's body must simply be enough to prevent him from thinking clearly or driving safely. State laws specify the levels of blood alcohol content at which a person is presumed to be under the influence. Also called driving while intoxicated (DWI and drunk driving).

Petit Larceny -
Simply defined is the taking of property of another having any value (one cent or more). This even includes cable or gas usage without authorization or shoplifting from a merchant. If the property has the value of $1,000 or more, this is considered Grand Larceny.

Criminal Law Vs Civil Law - In the Criminal Arena, the law is more concerned about jail and removing you from society (Life & Liberty). In the Civil Field, the law is more concerned about removing your money, ( pursuit of happiness).

Criminal law, sometimes called penal law, is a body of rules defined by mode of enforcement. Violation of criminal law is almost entirely prosecuted by the government, unlike the civil law, which often may be enforced by private parties. Consequences for non-compliance with the criminal law, depending on the offense, may include execution, loss of liberty, government supervision (parole or probation), or forfeiture of an amount of property not proportional to any loss from the crime. There are some archetypal crimes, like murder, but the criminal law is not strictly defined by the acts that are forbidden. Serious failures to abide by civil regulations often are punishable by criminal process and acts affected by the criminal law may vary widely across different jurisdictions.

In simplistic terms: Criminal law is interested in taking your life and liberty, where as the civil law wants your property (pursuit of happiness)