Introduction
Before defending DWI clients, Christopher York spent years building criminal cases against them: as a former Chief Assistant District Attorney, he worked on the prosecutorial side of the courtroom and developed a direct understanding of how DWI cases are constructed, where they are strong, and where they break down. That prosecutorial background, combined with New York State Bar membership since 1984 and more than 35 years in New York courts, gives York a perspective on DWI defense that goes beyond procedural familiarity. He is also a member of the National College for DUI Defense and completed the college’s intensive program at Harvard Law School: a credential that reflects specialized focus on DUI and DWI defense at a national level.
His office at 328 Clock Tower Commons Drive sits two blocks from the Putnam County Courthouse, positioning him directly within the court community he serves.
Phone: 845-363-1994
Email: [email protected]
Website: attorneycyork.com/
Address: 328 Clock Tower Commons Drive, Brewster, NY 10509
Practice Areas
DWI and DUI Defense
New York DWI cases carry serious consequences. Fines can reach $2,500, license suspension is standard, and felony charges apply in certain circumstances: including cases involving children in the vehicle under Leandra’s Law. Christopher York handles DWI and DUI matters at both the misdemeanor and felony levels, including the specific legal issues that arise in:
- CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) cases, where the consequences of a DWI conviction are particularly severe for professional drivers
- Leandra’s Law violations, which carry mandatory ignition interlock requirements and potential felony charges
- Ignition interlock device requirements and compliance issues
- DMV refusal hearings, which arise when a driver refuses chemical testing and faces administrative license consequences
York’s experience as a former Chief Assistant District Attorney means he has seen how the prosecution builds these cases. That experience informs how he identifies evidentiary weaknesses, procedural errors, and constitutional issues that can affect the outcome. Emergency availability for DWI arrests means clients can reach him immediately after an arrest, before the critical early steps in the legal process have passed.
Free consultations are available.
Criminal Defense
The criminal defense practice covers a range of charges beyond DWI and DUI:
- Drug crimes
- Assault
- Larceny and grand larceny
- Burglary
- Probation violations
- ABC law violations
- Traffic tickets
More than 35 years in New York courts means York knows the judges, the prosecutors, and the procedures in the courts where his clients are charged. That familiarity is genuinely useful: knowing how a particular court operates, how prosecutors in a specific office approach negotiations, and what arguments resonate with local judges is knowledge that accumulates only through sustained practice in a specific jurisdiction.
Attorney Profile
Christopher York
Christopher York has been a member of the New York State Bar since 1984. Before entering private practice, he served as Chief Assistant District Attorney, working within the prosecution office and participating in the construction and presentation of criminal cases. That perspective: understanding how prosecutors think, what they look for, and how they build their files: informs his approach to defense.
York holds a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition and a Putnam County Magistrates Association Service Award. He is a member of the National College for DUI Defense and completed the college’s program at Harvard Law School, which represents advanced, specialized training in DUI and DWI defense methodology.
His office is located two blocks from the Putnam County Courthouse. That proximity is not incidental: it reflects decades of practice centered on the courts in Putnam County and the surrounding Hudson Valley region.
Emergency availability for DWI arrests allows clients who have been arrested to reach York immediately, at the point when early legal involvement matters most.
Location and Service Area
The office is at 328 Clock Tower Commons Drive, Brewster, NY 10509: two blocks from the Putnam County Courthouse. This location places York within the immediate court community of Putnam County, serving clients in:
- Patterson
- Kent
- Carmel
- Southeast
- Pawling
- Putnam County broadly
- The Hudson Valley region
The Brewster location, with its courthouse proximity, is practical for clients whose cases are pending in Putnam County courts.
Client Focus
The core of York’s practice is DWI and criminal defense for individuals facing charges in Putnam County and the surrounding Hudson Valley area. DWI clients range from first-time offenders facing misdemeanor charges to professional drivers whose CDL and livelihood are at stake, to individuals charged under Leandra’s Law with felony allegations. Criminal defense clients face the spectrum of charges listed above, from drug crimes to grand larceny to probation violations.
For any of these clients, the combination of York’s prosecutorial background, his 35-plus years of New York courtroom experience, and his specialized training through the National College for DUI Defense represents a specific and substantial body of relevant knowledge.
Free consultations allow prospective clients to describe their situation and receive an initial assessment without financial commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Christopher York’s background as a former prosecutor?
York served as Chief Assistant District Attorney before entering private practice. In that role, he was involved in building and presenting criminal cases. His knowledge of how prosecution offices operate, how cases are assembled, and where they can be challenged comes from direct experience on that side of the process.
What is the National College for DUI Defense?
The National College for DUI Defense is a professional organization providing specialized training and education focused on DUI and DWI defense. York is a member and completed the college’s intensive program held at Harvard Law School.
Does York handle Leandra’s Law cases?
Yes. Leandra’s Law cases: which involve DWI with a child in the vehicle and carry mandatory ignition interlock requirements and potential felony charges: are specifically within his DWI practice area.
What happens at a DMV refusal hearing?
When a driver refuses chemical testing after a DWI stop, the DMV holds a separate administrative hearing to determine whether the driver’s license should be suspended or revoked. York handles these hearings as part of his DWI defense practice.
Is York available if I am arrested in the middle of the night?
Yes. Emergency availability for DWI arrests is offered, meaning clients can reach him immediately after an arrest: not during the next business day.
Closing
Forty-plus years of New York legal experience, a prosecutorial background that shaped York’s understanding of how the other side builds its cases, specialized DUI defense training through the National College for DUI Defense, and an office two blocks from the Putnam County Courthouse: these are the specific facts that define Christopher York’s practice in Brewster.
For DWI, criminal defense, and related matters in Putnam County and the Hudson Valley, free consultations are available. Emergency availability for arrests means there is no need to wait until morning. Reach the office at 845-363-1994, email [email protected], or visit attorneycyork.com/.