Long Island Man Charged with Aggravated DWI for Driving With Child in Vehicle

New York, NY(Law Firm Newswire) September 30, 2020 – A Long Island man was arrested for allegedly driving drunk with his six-year-old son in the vehicle.

Marcellus David, 37, was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated (DWI) under Leandra’s Law and endangering a child’s welfare. He was driving a 2003 Nissan Frontier eastbound on Middle Country Road in Selden when Suffolk County police initiated a traffic stop.

A Selective Alcohol Fatality Enforcement officer stopped David after his pickup truck allegedly made an illegal left turn. The officer approached the vehicle and arrested the driver upon determining he was allegedly intoxicated. The child passenger inside was identified as David’s six-year-old son who was handed over to a family member at the scene.

“This aggravated DWI arrest on Long Island highlights the force of Leandra’s Law, which aims to deter drinking and driving with children under the age of 15 in the car,” commented Peter Brill, a Long Island defense attorney with Brill Legal Group, who is not involved with the case. “An aggravated DWI conviction under this law carries a host of harsh penalties even for first-time offenders, including mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device and a prison sentence for the driver.”

David was arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip. Under Leandra’s Law driving while intoxicated with a passenger 15 years old or younger is an automatic felony on Long Island and throughout New York. Parents who drive drunk with their child in the vehicle will be reported to the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment.

“Anyone who is facing aggravated DWI charges needs a strong defense,” said Brill. “An experienced Long Island defense attorney can address all the complicated issues that may arise out of a Leandra’s Law case that involves a child.”

Learn more at https://www.brill-legal.com/.

Learn more at http://www.brill-legal.com/. BRILL LEGAL GROUP, P.C. Manhattan Office 306 5th Avenue, Penthouse New York, NY 10038 Phone: 212-233-4141 Nassau County Office 64 Hilton Avenue Hempstead, NY 11550 Phone: 516-206-2002 Suffolk County Office 150 Motor Parkway, Suite 401 Hauppauge, NY 11788 Phone: 631-237-1919 Toll Free: 888-309-8876