When a person is charged with violating DWI laws, he or she can often expect to be fined, denied a driver’s license, or even given jail time. However, it is not often that a person convicted of DWI charges anticipates that he or she will receive a substantial prison sentence in excess of 10 years. Such was the case this week in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse.com reports that 48-year-old Allen Cehfus, an Oswego County resident, was convicted of felony DWI in 2009, 2001, 1998, 1992 and 1988. He was also charged and convicted with a misdemeanor DWI charge as far back as 1984. Mr. Cehfus served jail time for four of the DWI convictions, and in three other cases in which he was convicted of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Mr. Cehfus’ most recent charge, and the conviction that made headlines this week, was for first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, felony DWI and resisting arrest. The accident that led to Mr. Cehfus’ arrest occurred in January of this year, when Mr. Cehfus was driving in snowy weather and crashed into a median. At the scene, Mr. Cehfus failed sobriety tests. Oswego County Judge Joseph Fahey sentenced Mr. Cehfus to 15 years in prison for the charges. While the sentence may seem harsh, the prosecutor expressed that it sends a message that drunk drivers will be seriously prosecuted by his office.
Mr. Cehfus is not the only person who has recently received a life sentence for a conviction on DWI charges.
According to ABCNews.com, in 2010, 54-year-old Texas man Bobby Stovall made headlines when he received a life sentence for a DWI charge. In July of that year, Mr. Stovall had hit another vehicle with his truck, and injured the driver, while drunk. Officers determined that Mr. Stovall’s blood alcohol level was .32%, which is four times the legal limit of 0.08% in Texas. While Mr. Stovall’s high BAC level likely did not help his case, it was his eight prior DWI convictions that swayed the Judge into sentencing to life in prison. In addition to violating DWI laws, Mr. Stovall had convictions for burglary, supplying alcohol to a minor and credit card abuse. Under the sentence, Mr. Stovall may be eligible for parole in five years, but could be as long as ten to fifteen years depending on his conduct and other factors that may impact the sentence.
The attorneys at Nave DWI Defense Attorneys have years of experience in complex DWI cases like the ones above. For example, in People v. J.J., an Nave DWI Defense Attorneys client faced significant jail time after he was charged with his fourth DWI in a ten year period, in addition to felony aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. The client was a Gulf War veteran with two children. Nave DWI Defense Attorneys attorneys were able to work with the client’s probation officer to reduce the jail sentence to ten days, and for the remainder of the sentence he wore a SCRAM bracelet.
If you have been charged with violating DWI laws, it is important for you to immediately contact an attorney who is experienced in DWI defense. An experienced attorney can help defend your case, and may be able to help you avoid jail time. Call the attorneys at Nave DWI Defense Attorneys today at 1-866-792-7800 for a confidential consultation.
The exclusive purpose of this article is educational and it is not intended as either legal advice or a general solution to any specific legal problem. Corporate offices for Nave DWI Defense Attorneys are located at 432 N. Franklin Street, Suite 80, Syracuse, NY 13204; Telephone No.: 1-866-792-7800. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney Advertising.
