This is a situation I see suprisingly often - a person alleged to have been drinking crashes into police vehicles resulting in serious damage, and thus attracting quite a bit of attention from the District Attorney's Office.

When there is property damage caused by the commission of a crime, prosecutors will seek restitution for the victim. In the article described above, the State of New York would be the alleged victim. New York State is self-insured (as are many local municipalities), so when a police cruiser is damaged, the government will typically look to the defendant for repayment.

If you are charged with a DWI or any crime where property is alleged to be damaged or lost, make sure you talk to your lawyer about the issue of restitution. An experienced attorney can help eliminate or minimize the amounts that are alleged to be owed. I have represented people charged with causing property damage while driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs - including multiple defendants charged with striking police cruisers. 

If you are facing a DWI charge in Rochester or one of the surrounding counties, contact us at The Militello Law Firm for a free telephone consultation and case evaluation. Our phone number is (585) 485-0025.