Former New York State Assemblyman Ryan Karben’s DWI trial began on October 25, 2008 in South Nyack Village Court. Karben was arrested in January of 2008 after allegedly crashing his Acura into a utility pole and then continuing to drive before being stopped by police. Karben purportedly told the Ramapo Police officers who arrested him that he swerved to avoid hitting a deer. When Mr. Karben failed 4 field sobriety tests, he was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor DWI.
Apparently, Mr. Karben also refused to take chemical test at the police station, which has resulted in an automatic 12 month revocation of his driver’s license.
Karben’s attorneys, including the well known former ADA for Rockland County, Kenneth Gribetz, are challenging the evidence against Mr. Karben in pre-trial hearings, including whether the Ramapo Police had probable cause to arrest Karben. The Field Sobriety Tests which formed the basis for the arrest were captured on a video camera from the patrol car, undoubtedly making for some very interesting evidence.
Jury selection was scheduled to start this week. We will report on the outcome at the conclusion of this New York drunk driving case.
If your are charged with drunk driving in New York, driving while ability impaired by drugs (DWAID) or any criminal offense, contact The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel online or at (914) 428-7386 for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options.