There are three people you don't lie to:

1) your doctor,

2) your priest or rabbi, and

3) your lawyer.

If you lie to your doctor, she can't save your life. If you lie to your priest, he can't save your soul. If you lie to me, I can't save you from whoever is coming after you.

Here is an example:

A prospective client came to see me once because he was facing a misdemeanor DWI charge in Brighton Town Court, and he filled out a client intake form. On that intake form, I ask people to write down any and all prior convictions. This client indicated one prior traffic violation. We talked about the violation. He described what happened, and told me that "was his only conviction." It wasn't. When the judge pointed out the prior conviction I was blindsided and unprepared to explain it.

The question about prior convictions is important. In DWI cases, it is very important, because if you have been convicted of a DWI within the prior ten years, your current DWI charge will be charged as a felony, not as a misdemeanor.

If I know about the prior conviction, there are steps I can take to try and avoid the misdemeanor DWI escalating to a felony DWI. If I don't know about the conviction because you purposefully withhold information from me... well, you have really done yourself a disservice.

If you are charged with a DWI in Rochester, or if you are seeking counsel in a divorce or professional licensing matter, please call me at (585) 485-0025 or email me (I get emails very quickly). And when you call me, tell me everything.