New Jersey DWI Lawyer Blog

A number of recent DWI and controlled/dangerous substance (CDS) arrests in Bergen County, New Jersey, illustrate the ease and frequency of drunk driving and drug DUI arrests around the state. As a New Jersey DWI defense lawyer, my aim is to help my clients get a fair trial and to defend each individual against potential abuses or procedural errors on the part of the police.

Drunken driving has become a serious offense in New Jersey, as well as across the United States. This does not change the fact that every person accused of or charged with a DWI offense is considered innocent until proven guilty. As a former municipal prosecutor, I understand the techniques used by law enforcement to attain drunk driving convictions. The following news items reflect the kinds of arrests that occur on a weekly basis here in the Garden State.

Lyndhurst
A 33-year-old Rutherford man and a 32-year-old man from Lyndhurst, NJ, were each arrested on a late January evening in what could have been a drug DUI incident following a complaint of illegal fireworks in the 100 block of Copeland Avenue. Police identified a vehicle that allegedly left the scene of the incident and conducted a standard motor vehicle stop. In the course of the arrest, one of the occupants was charged with possession of a prescription drug without a prescription. The other man was charged with possession of marijuana, and found to have a $400 outstanding warrant. Both were subsequently released on summonses.

Rutherford
A 34-year-old New York man was arrested on a Thursday morning in late January for DWI and careless driving following a motor vehicle stop on westbound Route 3. According to police, the suspect was allegedly passed out behind the wheel when the officers approached the man's vehicle. He was transported to Meadowlands Hospital due to his apparently high level of intoxication. Police later released the motorist on summonses.

A 20-year-old Kearny driver was arrested on January 30 in the early morning hours for DWI and failure to keep right. Police reported that the suspect made an illegal left turn onto Station Square and then began driving the wrong way before officers pulled him over. The driver reportedly failed a field sobriety test and later registered a 0.12 percent reading on the breath test. The man was subsequently released on summonses.

East Rutherford
A Rutherford resident was arrested in the early morning hours of a Sunday, charged with DWI. According to reports, witnessed flagged down a patrolman regarding a vehicle that had been observed swerving on southbound Route 17. Police reported locating the vehicle and its 25-year-old driver in a parking lot on the corner of Hoboken Road and Enoch Street. The motorist allegedly failed a field sobriety test, after which he was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center due to his being visibly impaired by alcohol.

Continue reading "New Jersey Drunk Driving Defense: Bergen County DWI and Drug DUI Police Blotter" »

According to a recent news article, Cliffside Park police set a new record for drunken driving arrests in 2009. As a New Jersey drunk driving defense lawyer, my firm represents motorists from Bergen County as well as Essex, Mercer, Union, not to mention other areas around the Garden State. Being arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol or prescription drugs is the first step toward a conviction for DWI or DUI, which can be a serious and costly way to pay for lack of foresight.

Based on the news report, Cliffside Police stated that there were more DWI arrests in the municipality during 2009 than any other past year since records have been kept. Law enforcement officials say that the higher number of arrests for driving while intoxicated goes to increased drunk driving patrols and the additional use of sobriety checkpoints.

The number of arrests in Cliffside Park last year totaled 102 for alcohol-related charges. The money to support the new checkpoints reportedly came from the Cliffside Park Police Department State Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund. For this borough police established two separate DWI checkpoints and operated approximately 12 additional drunken driving patrols. The state funds that support added DWI enforcement come from legal fines and bottle taxes that eventually find their way back to the municipalities.

According to Cliffside Park police, the department made 87 DWI arrests in 2008. That was up from 58 in 2007 and 48 drunk driving arrests in 2006. This year-over-year increase may be a result of ever increasing drunk driving enforcement. It is said that Cliffside Park has one of the more proactive anti-DWI police departments in the county.

Almost all borough officers are Alcotest and radar-certified and have attended advanced DWI Training, including Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and Horizontal Gaze Nystagmnus.

Cliffside Park PD nets record number of DWI arrests, NorthJersey.com, January 8, 2010

Now that we're several days into the New Year, I'll say it once again: New Jersey law enforcement agencies and local police continue cracking down on drunken driving around our state. New Year's Eve may be one of the more common times to find motorists drinking and driving, but every day has the potential for many drivers to be caught driving under the influence of alcohol.

As a New Jersey DWI defense attorney, I and my staff spend our days defending people accused of driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of prescription drugs. Whether deliberate or not, the police and society have virtually no tolerance for this kind of traffic offense. A recent news article highlighted just a few of the countless DWI arrests that occurred throughout New Jersey this past New Years.

Based on preliminary police reports, there were at least 10 drunken driving arrests on the roadways in Bergen and Passaic counties as the clock struck midnight and people from all over rang in 2010. And while it appears that DWI-related fatal accidents were down this year, there were numerous drunk driving arrests throughout the evening and early morning hours of January 1.

According to new reports, Passaic County was free of DWI arrests on Thursday and Friday. According to the Passaic County Sheriff's Office, weather was likely a large contributor to the significant reduction in arrests. However, on non-county roads in Passaic County, and across Bergen and Morris counties, 10 people were arrested on driving while intoxicated charges.

At the time of the report, New Jersey State Police did not have a final tally of the total number of DWI arrests on State Police-patrolled highways during the holiday weekend, but it appeared that no fatal accidents occurred between New Year's Eve and into Friday morning on those roads.

Local police in Teaneck , Passaic and Fairview also reported three DWI incidents each between 11 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m. Friday. In Fairview , police arrested a man after a traffic stop at 91st Street and Kennedy Boulevard , just over the North Bergen border, about 5:10 a.m. Friday, police said.

Clifton police arrested an alleged drunk driver on the Garden State Parkway who sent two people to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries Thursday morning. Sarah Wallace, 22, of Lodi , was driving an Infinity G37 in the northbound right lane near Route 3 when she tried to crossover to the left lane, allegedly hitting a Nissan Murano in the center lane just after midnight, according to police. The Murano overturned twice and landed upright on the right shoulder.

Police report 10 New Year's drunk driving arrests on North Jersey roads, NorthJersey.com, January 1, 2010

In New Jersey the law covering underage drinking and driving leaves little to the imagination. An individual must be 21 years of age or older to buy, be in possession or consume any type of alcohol-containing drink or beverage. In short: underage drinking is unequivocally defined as illegal. Because the state has such a strong stance against underage drinking, the legal consequences for this activity are severe under New Jersey law, especially when it comes to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

Whether or not a youth is stopped for DWI, simply being convicted of drinking as a minor could affect that child's future driving privileges. As a New Jersey drunk driving defense lawyer, I know the negative impact that DWI and underage DWI can have on an individual now and in the future. For kids, this is not an area of the law they would want to experience. As a parent, it would behoove you to talk to your child about the consequences of underage drinking and underage DWI.

In this state, if a person under 21 years old is arrested for purchasing or consuming an alcoholic drink in an establishment licensed to sell alcohol, he or she could be fined $500, as well as lose their driver's license for up to six months. Parents take note here, because even if your child does not yet have a driver's license that potential suspension will start when the youngster is first eligible to receive his or her license. Furthermore, a young person who violates underage drinking laws may also be required by the court to attend an alcohol treatment or education program.

Anyone under 21 caught with even the slightest amount of alcohol in their system -- that is, a blood-alcohol content of 0.01 or more -- will be subject to: 1) the loss or postponement of driving privileges for 30 to 90 days; 2) fifteen to 30 days of community service; and 3) Successful completion of the program requirements of an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center or an alcohol education and highway safety program.

The Law Offices of John F. Marshall has a great deal of experience defending youngsters charged with underage DWI. I personally have been defending clients in New Jersey Municipal Courts for 15 years. Having worked as a municipal prosecutor earlier in my career, I know first-hand how the prosecution tends to approach such cases.

Because of my background as a New Jersey drunk driving defense lawyer and former DWI prosecutor for numerous local municipalities, I and my firm have the experience to help those drivers accused of driving while intoxicated in the Garden State. Hundreds of drunk driving arrests happen each month. Bergen County, like all parts of New Jersey, gets its fair share of drunken driving traffic offenses every single week.

My stance is that any individual who is charged with DWI, prescription drug or illicit drug DUI, or breath test refusal should retain a qualified drunk driving attorney to see their case through our complicated judicial system. The following police reports are just a small sampling of the typical DWI and marijuana and drug DUI cases that our courts see every year.

North Arlington
A 41-year-old man from Kearny, NJ, was arrested on a recent Sunday evening for driving under the influence, as well as careless driving. The arrest came after a vehicle crash near Union and Schuyler avenues. Based on a 911 call from a local resident living on Union Avenue, police responded to the scene of a red Kia Sportage SUV, which had apparently struck a telephone pole. Officers found the driver at the scene with his vehicle, which police report had front-end damage. According to police, the driver failed the field sobriety test, after which his vehicle was impounded. The man was released on summonses to a responsible party.

A local woman was arrested in the early morning of Sunday November 29 for driving while intoxicated. According to police reports, officers had driven the 27-year-old home due to her intoxication earlier in the evening, but later discovered her driving along Belleville Turnpike at Argyle Place. Officers pulled the woman over and requested she perform a field sobriety test, which she failed. Her white Honda was impounded and she was released on DWI summonses to a responsible party.

A 32-year-old Union City man was arrested Friday, December 4, in the early morning hours for DWI and careless driving. The arrest occurred following a motor vehicle stop on Ridge Road just off the Belleville Turnpike. Police reported that the man failed a field sobriety test. His car was impounded and it was found that he had a $50 traffic warrant out of Montclair. He was released on summonses to a responsible party after posting bail.

Continue reading "New Jersey DWI and Drug DUI Police Blotter: North Arlington and East Rutherford, NJ" »

The coming holiday season is well known for its parties and family gatherings, and despite the poor economy drunk driving arrests are sure to surge during the next few weeks. In response, New Jersey DWI enforcement units are taking to the streets in an effort to reduce the instance of driving while intoxicated. As leading drunk driving defense lawyers, my firm has experience in a wide range of DWI and drug DUI defense. Recent news of the "Over the Limit, Under Arrest" campaign is evidence that drunk driving patrols will be working overtime in the Garden State.

According to news reports, law enforcement agencies across the state are already conducting saturation patrols and operating sobriety checkpoints, also known as sobriety roadblocks, as part of the nationwide drunk driving campaign. Enforcement will continue, say police, through January 3, 2010.

New Jersey's Division of Highway Traffic Safety is funding the local initiative, which began in 1999. According to reports, the division provides $5,000 grants to law enforcement agencies to cover overtime for those officers assigned to DWI patrols or checkpoints.

To illustrate the extent of the effort, 110 Jersey police agencies will receive grants, according to Pam Fischer, the division's director. The campaign will also include the New Jersey State Police.

A police spokesperson indicated that the holiday DWI crackdown will see officers on the street spending about four hours looking for "possible alcohol-impaired drivers" along with their regular patrols. "It's important that we keep everybody safe on the roads, especially near the holidays," said Vineland police Sgt. Vince Solazzo of the city's Traffic Safety Unit.

Police remind the public that last year, 11,773 people across the United States died in crashes involving a drunk driving, this is according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to reports, New Jersey saw 165 people killed in alcohol-related crashes in 2008, down from 195 in '07.

Extra drunken-driving patrols coming to South Jersey, CourierPostOnline.com, December 8, 2009

Results from a two-week drunk driving sting operation show that more than 1,500 individuals were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol between August 21 and September 7. The "Over the Limit, Under Arrest" campaign was designed to snare DWI suspects in the weeks leading up to this past Labor Day holiday. As a New Jersey DWI defense lawyer, I and my colleagues represent many of the dozens of motorists accused every week of driving while intoxicated.

The latest report on that pre-Labor Day campaign shows that New Jersey law enforcement agencies all around the Garden State stopped and arrested 1,582 drunk-driving suspects, including 137 in Bergen County and 95 in Passaic County. According to news reports, Bergen County police officers also issued 1,973 summonses for speeding, while Passaic County issued 374 summonses for seat belt violations.

In East Rutherford, however, only two drunk driving arrests were made during the campaign, according to the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, although the municipality did issue 74 summonses for speeding.
The pre-Labor Day campaign was funded by the highway safety division, which awarded $6,000 grants to almost half of the state's 497 police agencies to cover overtime during the crackdown.

Elmwood Park, which had 15 drunken-driving arrests, more than any other Bergen or Passaic county municipality was on of the participants in the campaign. A local police spokesman for that municipality stated that the grant allowed police department to dedicate officers to roving the streets specifically for drunk-driving enforcement, in addition to those officers already on regular patrol.

The 15 arrests were "definitely higher than what we would normally get," said Lt. Bryan DiPasquale of the Elmwood Park Police Department. Officers also issued 27 speeding summonses and 132 seat belt summonses.

DWI crackdown snares a slew of other violators, NorthJersey.com, November 17, 2009

Everyday, New Jersey motorists are stopped by local and state police for drunk driving offenses, as well as driving under the influence of prescription or illegal drugs. As a New Jersey DWI and drug DUI defense lawyer, I and my staff of attorneys and experienced legal professionals work diligently to defend drivers wrongly accused of driving under the influence of alcohol and other substances. The following news items represent the types of cases we handle on a day-to-day basis.

East Rutherford
A Hackensack man was arrested on August 11 in the late evening for drunk driving, breath test refusal and careless driving. The 57-year-old was picked up after he was involved in an accident on Swan Court. The driver's 1990 Mercury was impounded and he was later released to the custody of his daughter.

A man in his late 50s was arrested on July 24 for possession of cocaine, having an expired inspection sticker on his vehicle, possession of drugs in a motor vehicle and operating a car with an open container of alcohol. The arrest occurred after the man was stopped at a DWI checkpoint on Paterson Avenue and Everett Place. He was subsequently released on summonses to his wife.

A 39-year-old from Rochester, N.Y., was arrested on August 11 in the early morning hours after he made an illegal U-turn on Route 17. The man was stopped by a patrol car and charged with DWI, refusal to submit to a breath test, illegal U-turn, careless driving and failure to signal. The driver was held in the local jail until he was deemed sober.

North Arlington
An 18-year-old, 19-year-old and 16-year-old juvenile, all from Kearny, were arrested in the early morning of July for possession of marijuana. The arrest occurred following an inquiry at Fisher Field off Sixth Street where police reportedly found a large quantity of cigar materials and marijuana on the pavement in the park, plus two bags of marijuana in the suspects' car. The adults were released on summonses and the juvenile was released to his parents.

A 39-year-old man from North Arlington was arrested on July 25 for drunk driving, refusal to submit to a breath test, failure to keep right and careless driving. The traffic stop happened on Sunset and Prospect avenues. According to reports, the man's car was impounded and he was subsequently released to a responsible party pending a court appearance.

Continue reading "Bergen County, NJ, Police Blotter: DWI and Marijuana / Drug DUI News" »

A recent accident at a roadway construction site in North Bergen was allegedly caused by a drunk driver who injured a construction worker at the site and also hurt a pregnant woman in another vehicle. As a New Jersey DWI defense lawyer, my office has represented numerous clients involved in similar accidents over the years. As an experienced attorney and former municipal prosecutor, I know how to defend such cases. In this instance, the driver was charged by police with several offenses including driving while intoxicated.

Reports indicate that while construction workers were changing a signal arrow board outside of the construction area near 91st Street, Angelo Lopez of Belleville, NJ, who was driving north on Tonnelle Avenue, appeared to try and go around a green 1995 Honda, but hit the car instead. According to witnesses, the 35-year-old driver was reportedly weaving in and out of traffic in his 2004 Audi sedan prior to the accident at the construction site.

Lopez allegedly hit the Honda, driven by an 8-month pregnant woman, forcing the woman's car off the roadway and into one of the construction workers, causing the man to be forced to the ground, police said. The worker was treated for minor injuries to his leg. Both the pregnant woman and the construction worker were taken to Palisades Medical Center.

Fortunately for Mr. Lopez, both the construction worker and the woman were not seriously injured. They each reportedly left the hospital shortly after receiving treatment for their injuries.

Worse for the suspect, police allege that the man attempted to drive away and leave the scene of the accident, but was flagged down by a Bergen police detective and held until he could be arrested and charged by patrol officers. According to new reports, Lopez admitted to drinking prior to that accident, but claimed that he was not drunk.

After taking the suspect to police headquarters, officers determined the man's blood alcohol content (BAC) to be 0.09 percent, which is over New Jersey's legal intoxication level of 0.08. In addition to being charged with driving while intoxicated, Lopez was also charged with attempting to flee the scene of an accident as well as being issued a vehicle summons for reckless driving. He was released to a responsible party at Bergen police headquarters.

Accident involves pregnant woman, HudsonReporter.com, August 22, 2009

Police throughout Bergen County had a number of dunk driving and drug DUI arrests during the first half of July. With an office in Jersey City, our drunk driving defense attorneys can handle your Bergen County DWI, DUI or breath test refusal case quickly and efficiently. We represent many clients who have experienced situations not unlike the following driving while intoxicated arrests published in the local press.

Carlstadt -- A 56-year-old man from Ridgefield Park allegedly passed out and hit a brand new 2009 Honda Accord parked on Sixth Street near Berry Avenue this past July 9. Police arrested the man for careless driving and also found 52.6 grams of marijuana in the suspect's vehicle, as well as 54 tablets of Alprazolam. Discovery of the drugs caused the officers to write the man up for possessing drugs in a motor vehicle, being under the influence of drugs, possession of marijuana, or weed, and possession of drug paraphernalia, specifically rolling papers. The man was then transported to Hackensack University Medical Center.

Carlstadt -- A Kearny man was stopped in the early morning hours of July 16 for speeding on southbound Route 17. During the stop, police determined that the 20-year-old man was intoxicated and allegedly had drug paraphernalia in his car. Officers then charged the man with driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of drugs in a car, careless driving, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia (plastic dime bags). He was released on summonses to a responsible party.

North Arlington -- A 22-year-old Lyndhurst man was arrested on July 11 in the early morning for DWI, careless driving, having an uninsured car, failure to observe stop sign and failure to wear a seat belt. The motor vehicle stop occurred on Sixth Street off Bergen Avenue. The man reportedly failed the field sobriety test. His Jeep Grand Cherokee was impounded and he was subsequently released on summonses to a responsible party.

North Arlington -- A Nutley resident was stopped by police in the early evening of July 11 after she crossed over the double yellow several times and almost struck several oncoming cars while having her eight-year-old son in the vehicle. The 33-year-old woman was charged with drunk driving, endangering the welfare of a child and refusal to submit to a breath test. The arrest occurred on Jauncey Avenue at River Road. According to reports, the woman failed the field sobriety test. She was subsequently released on summonses to a responsible party and the child was turned over to a family friend.

Police Blotter 07/23/09, LeaderNewspapers.net, July 23, 2009

It's not uncommon for some New Jersey residents to mix recreational off-road riding with alcohol, though the two hardly go well together. Whether it's a motorcycle, ATV, snowmobile or dirt bike, driving while intoxicated can be dangerous. The New Jersey State Police, as well as local law enforcement agencies, keep a watch for drunk drivers on- and off-road. During the summer, boaters caught piloting their powerboats while under the influence of alcohol also run the risk of being arrested for DWI.

Recently, a Bergen County man was stopped for riding his all-terrain vehicle on private property. The criminal trespass charges would have been bad enough, but Mount Olive police also noticed that the rider was intoxicated. As a New Jersey drunk driving defense attorney, my firm has defended folks like Piotr Dabek, the owner of that ATV. He was caught near Crease Road last Sunday after neighbors called police to report a stranger riding his ATV on private property.

According to reports, Dabek tried to run from the Mount Olive police officer dispatched to the scene. After a short foot chase through a wooded area, the officer caught up to the 30-year-old suspect. Bringing Dabek back to his patrol car, the officer gave the man several field sobriety tests, including a balance test, which Dabek failed. The officer then placed him under arrest and charged the man with DWI and criminal trespass. Police also impounded Dabek's all-terrain vehicle.

Continue reading "All-terrain Vehicle Rider Arrested for Drunk Driving in Morris County" »

There are just some people that you can't help. As a New Jersey DWI defense lawyer, I have represented many multiple drunk driving offenders, but few like Shaun Campbell of Bergen County, New Jersey. Most of the clients I have worked with learn their lesson and try to make a clean start of things following a brush with the law as it applies to driving under the influence of alcohol. But other people convicted of driving while intoxicated go back and make the same mistakes over and over again. So it has been for Mr. Campbell.

According to reports, the 40-year-old Campbell had his license suspended nearly 80 times during his 22-year driving career. His admission of guilt to his 15th DWI charge was the latest in a string of convictions. This particular case involved an April head-on collision in Morris Township when Campbell, self-described as being plastered on beer, drove his sport utility vehicle into a Ford pickup truck driven by a Chatham man and carrying that man's four-year-old daughter. Luckily, no one was killed.

Campbell pled guilty to assault by auto, DWI and driving while on the revoked list. The Morris County assistant prosecutor has recommended that Campbell receive the maximum sentence of 18 months in prison for the assault by auto, and consecutive 180-day terms on the drunken-driving and revoked license charges. He also recommended that Campbell receive an extra 90-day term as an enhanced penalty on the license revocation offense.

Though the lack of a valid license hasn't stopped him from driving so far, Campbell will lose his driving privileges for at least another 10 years and face about $3,000 in penalties. His lawyer stated that he would argue at sentencing for a shorter prison sentence, but the Morris County prosecutor's office has said it would seek the maximum penalties for Campbell.

It would be an understatement to say that this is a challenging case for the defense. It is made especially tough because the case itself has prompted the state legislature to take up a bill to criminalize some repeat drunk driving offenses. Part of that legislation would make it a fourth-degree crime to drive under the influence while already on the suspended list for a DWI conviction. Other proposed content includes increased penalties for repeat DWI offenders who are found to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.20 percent or higher -- according to reports, Campbell's BAC was 0.288 percent, more than three times the legal limit.

Man heads to jail after 15th DWI, dailyrecord.com, July 1, 2009

Lyndhurst -- a 52-year-old driver was picked up for driving under the influence of alcohol during the evening of May 14. The Rutherford, New Jersey, resident was arrested for DWI, possessing an open alcoholic beverage container in his car, careless driving, as well as improper parking. The incident occurred in the parking lot at 540 New York Avenue in Lyndhurst. According to police reports, the man's vehicle was observed parked partially in the parking lot and partially in the roadway. After being charged for drunk driving, as well as the other offenses, he released to Hackensack University Medical Center.

Lyndhurst -- Hours later, during the early morning of May 15, a 41-year-old man from Milton, MA, was also arrested for driving while intoxicated, as well as refusing to submit to a breath test following a motor vehicle stop on Ridge Road near New Jersey Avenue. Prior to being released to a responsible party, the man was also charged with being an unlicensed driver, careless driving and failure to maintain a lane.

North Arlington -- During a routine motor vehicle stop in the late evening of May 8, police reportedly detected the odor of burnt marijuana in a vehicle at Ilford and Prospect avenues. Police determined that both a 16-year-old male from North Arlington and the driver, a 17-year-old male from Lyndhurst, had smoked marijuana. The passenger was charged with being under the influence of marijuana and released to his parents. The driver was charged with having tinted windows, violating his provisional driver's license for having four people in the car, DWI and being under the influence of marijuana. He was also released to his parents.

North Arlington -- A North Arlington resident was arrested in the early hours of May 13 for DWI, reckless driving, refusal to submit to a breath test, having no front license plate on his car and not wearing a seat belt. The 37-year-old driver was stopped on River Road by Stevens Place. According to police, after failing the field sobriety test, the man was taken into custody and his car was impounded. He was later released on summonses to a responsible party.

As a New Jersey DWI / DUI attorney, I and my staff of drunk driving defense lawyers have the necessary experience to handle cases similar to these. If you or someone you know has been stopped for driving while intoxicated, or driving under the influence of drugs or marijuana, we recommend that you seek qualified legal assistance. The Law Offices of John F. Marshall is here to help. Contact us toll free at 877-450-8301 for a free consultation.

Police Blotter 05/21/09, LeaderNewspapers.net, May 21, 2009

An allegedly drunk out-of-state driver caused a severe traffic accident in Closter, New Jersey, when he blew past a stop sign in his SUV and struck a sedan driven by a career postal employee, sending that man to the hospital with multiple injuries. The DWI traffic accident occurred today at West Street and Harrington Avenue where Kevin Greutert, 57, ended up being pinned in his vehicle until rescue workers could get him free and transported to Hackensack University Medical Center.

According to police reports, Patrick Martin Doyle, a resident of New York, was moving south on West Street in a white Nissan Pathfinder. As he approached the Harrington Avenue intersection, he apparently didn't notice the stop sign and slammed into an Oldsmobile sedan being driven eastbound by Greutert, a resident of River Edge, NJ.

Greutert, a 30-year employee with the U.S. Postal Service, suffered a fractured pelvis and a collapsed lung, as well as a number of other minor injuries, according to Assistant Bergen County Prosecutor John Higgins, who also heads the county's Fatal Accident Unit.

Detectives with the office who followed the ambulances to the hospital later obtained a warrant for Doyle's arrest on charges of assault by auto in a school zone. Doyle, who was later released, had blood drawn to test for drugs or alcohol in his system. The suspect also received several motor vehicle summonses and is currently free on $50,000 bail pending his first court appearance. The results of toxicology tests on Doyle's blood are still outstanding.

This case is similar to the hundreds that our lawyers encounter every year at The Law Offices of John Marshall. We have more than 40 combined years of DWI defense experience, which gives us an edge compared to other firms with less courtroom experience. In cases just like this one, you need a combination of skill and knowledge on your side. If you or loved one needs legal help for a New Jersey DWI, refusal or DUI-related offense, our lawyers are at your disposal 24/7. Please call us at 877-450-8301 for a free initial consultation.

Drunk-driving arrest in serious North Jersey crash, Examiner.com, June 15, 2009

Lyndhurst -- A 52-year-old New Jersey man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol last week on Thursday evening when police found the allegedly intoxicated suspect in his car, which was parked and partially blocking the roadway on New York Avenue. In addition to drunk driving, he was charged with having an open alcohol container in his vehicle, as well as careless driving. Reports stated he was released to Hackensack University Medical Center.

Lyndhurst -- Early on May 15, an out-of-state man was arrested for DWI following a motor vehicle stop on Ridge Road. Police charged him with driving under the influence of alcohol after they noticed he was unable to keep his vehicle properly in his lane. The 41-year-old driver refused to submit to breath test. He was charged with not carrying a driver's license and careless driving, then released on summonses to a responsible party.

North Arlington -- Police reported a motor vehicle stop on May 8 at Ilford and Prospect avenues. Officers detected the odor of burnt marijuana and determined a 16-year-old male passenger from North Arlington and the 17-year-old male driver from Lyndhurst, had been smoking marijuana. The passenger and driver were both charged with being under the influence of marijuana. The driver was also charged with DWI and violating his provisional driver's license for having four people in the car.

North Arlington -- A 37-year-old resident of North Arlington was arrested last week on Wednesday morning for DWI, reckless driving, refusal to submit to a breath test, as well as not wearing a seat belt. The stop occurred on River Road by Stevens Place. Police reports indicate that the driver failed a field sobriety test, after which police impounded his car. He was later released to a responsible party.

North Arlington -- A 27-year-old Newark man was arrested on May 15 at 1:53 a.m. for DWI. The driver, whose car was parked on Prospect Avenue, was also charged with refusal to submit to breath test, failure to produce registration and having no insurance. Police state that he failed the field sobriety test. His car was impounded and he was released on summonses.

With the warmer weather upon us more people are enjoying there evenings. Unfortunately, instances of drunk driving also tend to rise at this time. New Jersey's law enforcement officers are well aware of this and are constantly looking for intoxicated drivers. If you or someone you know has been charged with, or issued summonses for, driving while intoxicated, drug DUI or marijuana DWI, you could be subject to fines and/or jail time. In such cases, we highly recommend you retain a New Jersey DWI / DUI Defense Attorney. Our legal team has the experience to help you prepare for your case.
 

Police Blotter 05/21/09, LeaderNewspapers.net, May 21, 2009