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Hudson Valley DWI Attorney Randall F. Inniss: From Trooper to Lawyer

A DWI arrest brings immediate and significant issues: criminal charges (misdemeanor or felony level); a driver’s license suspension, state professional license issues, where applicable, and consequences that could affect your job, insurance, and record for years. When prosecutors are building a case against you, you need someone who knows the process inside out. 

Upstate New York DWI attorney Randall F. Inniss of The Inniss Firm, PLLC brings insider knowledge and experience of how DWI cases work, built from over two decades of police investigative experience with DWIs, misdemeanors, and felonies. As a former Certified Breathalyzer Operator and NYS Department of Health permit holder to perform chemical (Breathalyzer) tests, attorney Inniss participated in hundreds of DWI arrests, He examines your case the same way he once developed cases for the prosecution – and now finds weaknesses they hope you will overlook. He personally represents clients in the Hudson Valley region, including Orange County, Rockland County, Dutchess County, Ulster County, Westchester County, and Sullivan County. Upstate, New York cities and towns include, but are not limited to, Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Newburgh, White Plains, Middletown, New City, and Monticello.

There are instances where an attorney takes the extra step to learn about field sobriety tests in a training seminar. Attorney Inniss conducted scores of field sobriety tests on actual roadways as a state trooper. He knows of the environmental circumstances that can impact both the administration of the test by police and the performance by the motorist. He has lectured before and trained attorneys in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. Most attorneys read police reports and work from there. Attorney Inniss has practical insight from having drafted and personally generated police reports. He uses that insight and knowledge to build the client’s defense.

Contact Randall F. Inniss today to schedule your free consultation and defense strategy session. Call The Inniss Firm, PLLC at (845) 533-0265 today.

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Why Choose Randall F. Inniss as Your Hudson Valley DWI Attorney?

Randall F. Inniss brings over 22-years of police and investigative experience with DWIs, misdemeanors, and felonies from his time as a New York State Trooper.

Randall F. Inniss spent his law enforcement career investigating DWIs, misdemeanors, and felonies across New York. He conducted thousands of traffic stops as a trooper, investigated countless felony offenses as an investigator and supervised a narcotics unit. When he reviews your case file, he sees more than what the police report says; he understands what procedures should have been followed, and what might have been left out.

Former State Trooper With Over 22 Years Of Investigative Experience With DWIs, Misdemeanors, And Felonies

Some attorneys accept police reports at face value. Randall F. Inniss reads between the lines. He knows when officers cut corners during traffic stops, how breathalyzer instruments can produce error readings and which standardized field sobriety tests are easy to attack.

As a former Certified Breathalyzer Operator, attorney Inniss understands the Breathalyzer instrument and the required chronological steps officers are required to adhere to when administering the test. He knows that Breathalyzer instruments can produce misleading or “error” readings and the circumstances that contribute to inaccuracies in test results. Police agencies are required instrument calibration records the state must maintain.

Practice Areas

NHTSA Instructor Credentials in Roadside Standardized Field Sobriety Tests

Randall F. Inniss holds an Instructor-level qualification in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in conjunction with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). This isn’t the basic NHTSA training that officers receive (though he received that basic level training as well); it is an advanced instructor-level qualification that requires additional instruction and schooling beyond what most police officers take.

Most attorneys who defend DWI cases have not received NHTSA field sobriety test training. It is not taught in law school. A small number of attorneys invest in the basic 24-hour SFST course that officers receive. However, the vast majority do not pursue such training in SFSTs and it is rare that an attorney has NHTSA instructor level qualifications. Using his instructor level qualifications, attorney Inniss has trained attorneys on how to understand and administer SFSTs. He can identify when police officers incorrectly administer and erroneously score the tests. Thus creating an advantage for his clients in defending their impaired driving case, whether the allegation involves alcohol or drugs. 

This experience matters when prosecutors present field sobriety test results as a probable cause of impairment and a metric to build upon or justify the initial DWI or impaired driving arrest. Attorney Inniss knows the protocols officers should follow, the conditions that can invalidate test results, and how to challenge the administration and scoring of these tests in court.

Crisis Management Experience From Protecting Professional Athletes

Before focusing on DWI defense, attorney Inniss served as Director of Global Security for the National Basketball Association. For close to a decade, he managed high-pressure, high-stakes situations protecting professional athletes’ reputations and careers by providing training. He brings the same strategic approach, meticulous attention to detail, and crisis management skills to every client case. Your future deserves the same level of attention and protection provided to high-profile professional athletes.

Direct Access to Your Attorney

When you hire The Inniss Firm, PLLC, you work directly with attorney Randall F. Inniss, not an associate attorney. You get honest assessments about your case and straightforward answers about what is possible up front. As First Vice President of the approximate 2100 member New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NYSACDL), and past Chair of its Motor Vehicle Committee (2023 – 2026,) attorney Inniss brings peer leadership-level insight and interacts with attorneys whose focus is on criminal defense. He is exposed to a broad array of legal issues in the criminal law space that are the subject of the criminal defense community and NYSACDL membership.

Call The Inniss Firm, PLLC at (845) 533-0265 for your free consultation. Available 24/7 to answer your questions and start building your defense.

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DWI Attorney in the Mid-Hudson Region - The Inniss Firm, PLLC

Randall F. Inniss, Esq.

Randall F. Inniss earned his Juris Doctor and Masters (LL.M.) degrees from the University at Buffalo School of Law. He is a member of the New York State Bar and has been admitted to the practice of law for over 25 years. He earned his law degrees while working full-time as an Investigator with New York State Police. 

Randall F. Inniss maintains an active membership in the DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA); the National College of DUI Defense (NCDD), The American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys, the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (First Vice President,) the Fraternal Order of Police, the PBA of New York State Troopers, and New York State Bar Association. His memberships keep him connected to developments in DWI defense strategy and maintain his ties to both the legal profession and law enforcement community.

His law enforcement background insight and understanding of how police and prosecutors build their cases. He knows how officers strategically develop DWI and other criminal cases. He understands the police mindset. He knows how pressure can lead to procedural shortcuts or questionable judgment calls, and uses that insight and experience to defend clients’ rights through every stage of the legal process.

What to Do After a DWI Arrest in the Hudson Valley

Getting arrested for DWI does not mean you are guilty. An arrest is an allegation. That allegation has to be proven. The prosecution bears the exclusive burden of proving the case against you. The prosecution starts by building a case against you based in conjunction with the police. It is advisable that you hire counsel early in the process to immediately and strategically develop your defense. 

The first 48 hours can matter critically depending on the severity of your case and criminal charges. This is particularly the case if someone is seriously injured or killed as a result of the incident. Evidence needs to be preserved. Witness memories can quickly fade. The longer you wait to hire an attorney, the harder your case can be to defend under certain circumstances. Your temporary driver’s license suspension in a DWI arrest case typically begins at your arraignment.

Here’s what you need to know: prosecutors in Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam, Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan counties handle DWI cases every day. Each county has varying policies and procedures on how they will resolve a case. They know what they’re doing. You need someone on your side, defending your interests, who knows their procedures and the criminal justice system overall. An attorney who has experience and insight from making DWI and other misdemeanor and felony arrests.

Randall F. Inniss has made and assisted in DWI, misdemeanor and felony arrests from his decades long tenure with the New York State Police. He knows the procedures officers follow correctly and which ones they tend to rush through. He knows what evidence holds up in court and what can typically fall apart under cross-examination. Most importantly, he knows what the police report doesn’t tell or reveal about your case. As an instructor in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs), he knows when officers are administering the tests correctly. And when they are not.

Don’t assume the evidence against you is stronger than it actually is. Field sobriety test results can be challenged as can the Breathalyzer results. Traffic stops can be challenged. And invalidated. But none of that happens if you don’t hire an attorney who knows where to look. And who has personal insight in the process from personally being involved in the system. Such as in making DWI and other arrests.

The Inniss Firm, PLLC handles DWI and criminal defense cases throughout the Hudson Valley. Randall F. Inniss defends clients facing:

Other criminal charges:

  • Drug possession and sales (marijuana, narcotics, illegal prescriptions)
  • Shoplifting (Petit Larceny and Grand Larceny)
  • Traffic violations
  • Domestic violence charges
  • Harassment and assault
  • Probation violations
  • Vehicular Manslaughter
  • Criminally Negligent homicide
  • Vehicular Assault
  • Vehicular Homicide

DWI and impaired driving charges:

  • Standard DWI (0.08% BAC or higher)
  • Aggravated DWI (0.18% BAC or higher)
  • DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired by alcohol)
  • DWAID (Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs)
  • Combined alcohol and drug impairment
  • Leandra’s Law violations (DWI with a child passenger under 16)
  • Multiple DWI convictions
  • DMV Refusal and Fatality Hearings
  • Driver’s License Suspension Hearings 

If you’re facing DWI or criminal charges in the Hudson Valley, call The Inniss Firm, PLLC at (845) 533-0265 for a free consultation. Attorney Randall F. Inniss will review your case and explain your defense options.

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Serving Clients Throughout the Hudson Valley

The Inniss Firm, PLLC represents clients facing DWI and other charges across the Hudson Valley region. Randall F. Inniss handles cases in Rockland County, Orange County, Putnam County, Dutchess County, Ulster County, Westchester County, and Sullivan County. He knows how local courts operate and has worked with prosecutors throughout these jurisdictions.

Whether your arrest happened in Middletown, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Kingston, White Plains, Monticello or another Hudson Valley community, The Inniss Firm, PLLC, provides the same thorough representation.

Our office is open 24/7, offering round-the-clock assistance to meet your legal needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Inniss Firm, PLLC


Yes. Randall F. Inniss personally represents every client at their hearings and court appearances. He never sends a substitute attorney to handle your case. When you hire The Inniss Firm, PLLC, you work directly with Randall F. Inniss from your initial consultation through the resolution of your case.


Randall F. Inniss holds Instructor-level certification in Standardized Field Sobriety Tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. As a former Certified Breathalyzer Operator with 22-years of police investigative experience in DWI and other misdemeanor and felony level cases, he has rare insight, knowledge and experience among the defense attorney community.


Attorney Inniss performed traffic stops, field sobriety tests, and breathalyzer operations extensively as a New York State Trooper. He knows the procedures officers should follow. He spots when cut corners, recognizes details officers leave out of reports, and identifies areas rights violations that other attorneys miss. He participated in hundreds of DWI arrests during his law enforcement career.


Randall F. Inniss serves as First Vice President of the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, a nonprofit organization of over 2000 criminal defense attorneys across New York. He maintains active membership in the DUI Defense Lawyers Association; National College of DUI Defense, American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys, Fraternal Order of Police, PBA of New York State Troopers, and New York State Bar Association.


Yes. The Inniss Firm, PLLC provides free consultations for all DWI and criminal defense cases. They are aptly described as complimentary defense strategy sessions. Randall F. Inniss will review your case and explain your defense options. The office is available 24/7 to schedule your consultation.

Your license, your record, and your future deserve more than an attorney who only knows DWI law from textbooks. Randall F. Inniss spent years on the other side of these cases and knows exactly how officers and prosecutors think.

If you or a loved one are facing a DWI or other criminal charges, Attorney Randall F. Inniss has got you covered. You deserve the highest level of legal representation. Don’t wait.

Call The Inniss Firm, PLLC at (845) 533-0265 today and speak with an experienced attorney and former 22-year state police member about your arrest and charge. 

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Free Confidential Case Review With Randall F. Inniss

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