Recently in Non-resident DWI Arrests Category

December 20, 2011

New Jersey DWI News: Hudson County Police Arrest Driver on DUI, Illegal Drug Possession Charges

For those who have been arrested or charged with driving under the influence of either prescription drugs or other, possibly illegal substances (also known as drug DUI), you may wonder if the police and the prosecutor's office have the necessary evidence to secure a guilty verdict in court. Depending on the circumstances, one should always consider consulting a qualified DWI defense attorney; one with experience in representing motorists charged with drunken driving and drug DUI.

As New Jersey drunk driving defense lawyers, I and my colleagues are trained to work with the facts and understand the State's evidence against and individual. Whether one lives or works in Bergen, Monmouth, Ocean or Atlantic County, the law is clear when it comes to charges related to DUIs tied to prescription medication and even illicit drugs like marijuana and cocaine.

Defending a person accused of drug DUI has certain differences from an alcohol-related DWI case. Here in the Garden State, a charge of drug DUI can be levied against a New Jersey motorist who may be suspected of driving while impaired due to a possible controlled dangerous substance (CDS) or doctor-prescribed medication. These include any narcotic, hallucinogenic or habit-forming drug.

Continue reading "New Jersey DWI News: Hudson County Police Arrest Driver on DUI, Illegal Drug Possession Charges" »

October 27, 2011

New Jersey DWI News: Drunk Driving Stats Show Decrease Nationwide, But NJ Arrests Holding Steady

One would think that with all the extra anti-drunken driving enforcement across this state that surely New Jersey would be experiencing a decrease in DWIs just like the rest of the nation. Apparently, that's hardly the case. Whether due to what some might call "over-enforcement" or because the Garden State has such a large population that it tends to set its own standards, one thing is for certain: this is not the place to get behind the wheel in anything near an impaired condition.

From Passaic to Ocean and Bergen to Cape May County, local and state police are constantly on the alert for any motorist that may be inebriated. Intoxication due to beer, wine or hard liquor; or impairment from prescription medication or even illicit drugs like cocaine and marijuana, this state's law enforcement community is reportedly racking up its share of DWI and drug DUI arrests on a weekly basis.

As New Jersey drunk drivin defense attorneys, we know how easy it can be to be stopped on the road while legally intoxicated. Even those people who believe whole-heartedly that they are not drunk have been arrested and taken before a magistrate to face stiff penalties for DWI, DUI, breath test refusal and other drunk driving-related charges.

A recent news article seems to indicate that, here in New Jersey, the number of arrests for driving under the influence is not declining in concert with the nationwide drop in drunk drivers. What does it mean? Well, it would appear that New Jersey drivers in places such as Ocean County's Barnegat Twp. need to consider that local police are still out in force, arresting drunken drivers and handing out summonses at about the same rate as in prior years.

Continue reading "New Jersey DWI News: Drunk Driving Stats Show Decrease Nationwide, But NJ Arrests Holding Steady" »

August 5, 2011

Mercer County, NJ, Drunk Driving News: DWI and Drug Possession Arrests in East Windsor Twp.

As drunken driving defense attorneys, I and my experienced staff of DWI lawyers understand the monetary and legal implications of a drunken driving or prescription drug DUI arrest faced by many motorists. Getting a ticket for driving under the influence is nothing to take lightly, even as a first-time DWI offender. Although it may not appear to be a serious issue, many people do not realize the potentially life-altering events that a drunk driving conviction can set in motion.

Of course, even a summons for driving while intoxicated or breath test refusal can impact a person's personal life, job situation or standing in his or her local community. Add a conviction on top of an arrest, and this can translate into a significant event for almost anyone accused of operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, prescription drugs or other controlled dangerous substance, such as marijuana.

As a New Jersey drunken driving and drug DUI attorney, my firm defends individuals from all around the Garden State including Monmouth, Atlantic, Burlington and Hudson counties. And while the facts behind every DWI or drug DUI case are unique, the circumstances of the arrest can be similar. As well, the consequences and possible DWI penalties for a drunk driving conviction in New Jersey are usually very comparable based on the seriousness of the charges.

Below are a number of news items from around Mercer County, based on police blotter information from local news sources. These few items represent just a fraction of the arrests that take place every week in and around the state. Of these, police officers make dozens of arrests for variety of drunk driving and prescription medication DUI violations. The penalties for drivers found guilty of DWI or drug-impaired operation of a motor vehicle can be quite costly.

Continue reading "Mercer County, NJ, Drunk Driving News: DWI and Drug Possession Arrests in East Windsor Twp." »

July 22, 2011

Bergen County DWI Arrest News: Police Charge Drunken Driver after Motorist Hits Pedestrian at Meadowlands

It appears that many of the stories we find in the news these days involve accused drunken drivers who have become involved in a car or truck accident as a result of their alleged alcohol consumption or use of prescription medication (drug DUI). A smaller percentage of accidents also involve individuals accused of illegal drug use, such as marijuana or cocaine (otherwise known as controlled dangerous substances, or CDS for short).

Regardless of whether a motorist lives or works in Sussex, Monmouth, Ocean or Passaic County, the aftermath of a potential DWI or drug DUI conviction can haunt a person for years following the initial incident. For this very reason it is always a good idea to retain the services of a competent and qualified drunken driving defense lawyer, if only to determine what your options might be following a DWI arrest.

For those picked up by police for drunk driving as a first offense, it may seem too easy to accept the penalties and plead guilty, while under the false impression that only one DWI conviction will not cause too much upheaval in one's life. Or those people who believe this is the best approach to a DWI-DUI arrest or summons, we couldn't disagree more.

To start, accepting a guilty plea for a first-time drunken driving offense may seem to be the easiest way to go -- and believe us, it is for the prosecuting attorney handling the case -- this is not going to make one's life easier. The penalties for a first offense may be slightly less than a second or third DWI offense, but the impact to one's auto insurance rates as well as the potential damage to one's personal and business reputations could be catastrophic.

Continue reading "Bergen County DWI Arrest News: Police Charge Drunken Driver after Motorist Hits Pedestrian at Meadowlands" »

June 22, 2011

NJ Drunken Driving Defense News: Motorist Charged with DWI after Hitting Police Chief's Patrol Car

The last time we mentioned unintended consequences. Well, there are unintended consequences for driving while intoxicated, either by alcohol, prescription meds, or illicit drugs such as marijuana or cocaine... and then the are unintended consequences of those original consequences, so to speak. One consequence that we would prefer not to see any person have to defend himself against is hitting a police vehicle while allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

As New Jersey DWI defense lawyers representing individuals from counties such as Monmouth, Ocean, Burlington and Passaic, we can say without much trepidation is don't even think of assaulting a law enforcement officer with a vehicle, drunk or not. This is a serious offense that can complicate a drunken driving defense without a doubt.

Not surprisingly, this type of helpful advice is ignored by more than a few people every year here in the Garden State. Such was the case for an out-of-state driver last month when he crashed his SUV into an Elmwood Park, NJ, police vehicle being used by none other than the department's chief of police.

According to news reports, the accident happened around 2:30am on May 15 as Police Chief Donald Ingrasselino and Lieutenant Frank Thorpe were heading to a DWI sobriety roadblock in Bergen County. Based on police reports, Chief Ingrasselino and Lt. Thorpe were traveling eastbound along Rte 46 toward the drunken driving checkpoint being operated that morning at Midland Avenue when their Dodge Durango was struck.

Continue reading "NJ Drunken Driving Defense News: Motorist Charged with DWI after Hitting Police Chief's Patrol Car" »

December 16, 2010

Monmouth County, NJ, Drunk Driving News: Multiple New Jersey DWI and Drug DUI Arrests

Drunken driving arrests happen daily in New Jersey. As Monmouth, Atlantic and Middlesex County DWI lawyers, I and my staff have the skills and experience to represent those individuals accused of driving under the influence of alcohol, prescription medication and even illegal drugs such as marijuana. The following list of intoxicate driving arrests and other DUI offenses are a sampling of the situations in which many New Jersey motorists find themselves from time to time.

Holmdel
A 22-year-old out-of-state driver was reportedly stopped on Telegraph Hill Road for driving while intoxicated. A police patrol apparently noticed the man's vehicle being driven in a possibly erratic manner, after which the driver was pulled over. He was arrested for DWI and taken to police headquarters for processing. The man was later released pending a court appearance.

On that same day, a 24-year-old motorist was pulled over along a stretch of Rte. 35 by a police officer and was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence. The man was later taken to headquarters, processed and released pending a future court appearance.

Three young people, two men and a woman under the age of 21, were arrested by police for underage possession of alcohol. The trio from Brick, Point Pleasant and Point Pleasant Beach were all taken to police headquarters for processing before being released. Each of the three will have to return for a court appearance.

Belmar
Police made a DWI arrest on Main St. in Belmar when they apparently spotted car being driven erratically. The 42-year-old driver, who reportedly resisted arrest, was charged with driving while intoxicated, aggravated assault and obstructing justice.

Wall
Route 35 has been the scene of more than a few DWI arrests. According to reports, an 18-year-old Wall Twp. Man was stopped by police near New Bedford Rd. and charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol. In another unrelated instance, a 26-year-old Seaside Heights resident was stopped by patrolmen near Church Road and arrested for intoxicated driving.

Around the same time, a 31-year-old Belmar man was arrested by police in the vicinity of 16th Ave. and Maplewood Rd. and subsequently charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana.

Continue reading "Monmouth County, NJ, Drunk Driving News: Multiple New Jersey DWI and Drug DUI Arrests" »

November 28, 2010

New Jersey DWI Police Blotter: Ocean County Drunk Driving, Underage Possession of Alcohol and CDS Arrests

An out-of-state motorist was pulled over on West Bay Ave. in Barnegat Township when officers observed a vehicle being driven the wrong way. Stopping the vehicle, police interviewed the 48-year-old driver who apparently exhibited signs of being drunk and under the influence of alcohol. The man was arrested by officers, who charged him with a number of violations including DWI, reckless driving and traveling the wrong way on a one-way street.

Another Ocean County arrest occurred along Rte 72 when a patrolman stopped a man for speeding along a stretch of the road. According to police reports, the 23-year-old driver was allegedly found to have an open container of alcohol in his vehicle at the time of the traffic stop. As a result, police arrested the driver and charged him with DWI, having an open alcoholic beverage container in the vehicle, as well as reckless driving and speeding. The man was subsequently released.

A 55-year-old driver was stopped along a stretch of Barnegat Blvd. after police observed his vehicle traveling the wrong way on a one-way street. The South Plainfield resident was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, as well as reckless driving, driving the wrong way and having an open alcohol container in his vehicle. He was subsequently released from custody.

An 18-year-old local resident was stopped by police along West Bay Ave. following a tip regarding an alleged drug transaction. The young woman was charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, underage possession of alcohol and possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) in a vehicle. She was subsequently released on summonses.

A 37-year-old motorist from Little Egg Harbor, NJ, was stopped by police after officers apparently observed the man's vehicle being driven erratically. As a result officers charged the driver with DWI and reckless driving, as well as failure to maintain his lane. In another instance, a 38-year-old Bordentown resident was arrested by patrolmen for driving while intoxicated. The man was later released after having charges of DWI, reckless driving and failing to maintain his lane lodged against him.


Ocean County Police Blotter, APP.com, September 29, 2010

November 5, 2010

New Jersey DWI News: Illegal Immigrant Arrested for Drunk Driving in Teaneck

Being stopped by a police officer for a routine traffic offense can lead to other, more serious charges. As a New Jersey DWI defense attorney, my goal is to assist motorists accused of driving under the influence of alcohol, prescription drug DUI, or other drunken driving charges. What this means to the average driver is that a simple broken taillight can turn into a DWI summons depending on whether or not that individual has a certain amount of alcohol in his or her bloodstream.

As drunk driving defense lawyers in Bergen, Ocean, Middlesex and other counties across the Garden State, my firm sees all manner of DWI arrest scenarios throughout the year. To complicate matters, a driver who actively takes the wheel in an intoxicated state may be risking other charges and legal actions. Case in point, an allegedly illegal immigrant who was stopped a while back by patrolmen in Teaneck, NJ, for driving while intoxicated.

According to news reports, police were alerted to a car being driving in a reportedly erratic fashion along Queen Anne Road in the early evening hours on a Sunday. Based on police reports, patrolmen pulled the woman over after they observed her car apparently crossing the double center line of the road.

After stopping the vehicle just before 7pm, officers apparently detected signs of intoxication and requested the 24-year-old driver, Sofia Bautista-Aparicio, to exit the vehicle and take several field sobriety tests, which she reportedly failed. According to police the woman lived out-of-state, spoke very little English and could not produce a valid driver's license. In order to complete the arrest, officers requested a translator.

While waiting in the police car, the woman allegedly urinated on the back seat, threw up and then apparently passed out. Police transported her to Holy Name Medical Center where a blood sample was drawn to determine the driver's blood-alcohol content (BAC). During the arrest, Bautista-Aparicio admitted that she was from Mexico and was in the United States illegally.

Police contacted immigration authorities, however due to the fact that drunken driving is not a criminal offense in New Jersey, INS officials declined to respond. Bautista-Aparicio was charged with drunk driving and then released on a summons.


Teaneck, police reports, NorthJersey.com, September 23, 2010


October 21, 2010

Monmouth County DWI Police Blotter: Drunk Driving and Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) Arrests

Howell
A 25-year-old Point Pleasant resident was pulled over on Route 9 by police for an unknown traffic violation. In the course of the traffic stop, officers noticed evidence of marijuana either on the woman's person or in the vehicle. The driver was charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana, as well as having drug paraphernalia. She was also charged with operating a motor vehicle in possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS).

Tinton Falls
Two 19-year-olds from Ocean Township were arrested by police following a chain of events that included a single-car motor vehicle accident on Route 18 in Tinton Falls. According to police reports, one of the teens was driving a car that struck a guardrail. The other teen apparently took the wheel and drove the damaged vehicle away from the scene of the crash, however it broke down on Shafto Road near West Park Ave. The boys called 911 to report the disabled car. When police arrived, officers found a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle. It was determined it belonged to the young man who initially crashed the car. Both teens were arrested and charged with drunken driving. They were processed and released pending a court date.

A 19-year-old woman Ocean County woman was pulled by patrolmen over for what was likely a routine traffic violation. During the police stop officers apparently observed evidence of marijuana on the suspect's person. She was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle. Officers processed the woman and subsequently released her pending a court date.

A 21-year-old Freehold man and a 35-year-old Red Bank woman were arrested in separate locations on the same day, both for driving under the influence of alcohol. The man was pulled over by police for an apparent routine traffic stop on Route 33, while the female driver was stopped along Sycamore Avenue in Tinton Falls. The woman was processed and released pending her day in court.

Wall
In less than a two-week period, nearly a dozen drivers were stopped for various traffic offenses that then ended up with drunken driving arrests. According to news reports, a 21-year-old man from New Egypt was pulled over on Route 138 for DWI; a 49-year-old Long Branch man was stopped and charged with DWI; an 18-year-old Asbury Park youth was stopped along Route 35 and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

A 19-year-old out-of-state man was stopped along Belmar Boulevard and arrested for DWI; A 21-year-old Cranbury resident was stopped along Woodfield Avenue by police before being charged with possession of a prescription drug without a prescription; A 48-year-old Freehold man stopped along Route 35 for allegedly driving drunk.

Continue reading "Monmouth County DWI Police Blotter: Drunk Driving and Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) Arrests" »

October 11, 2010

Bergen County, NJ, Drunken Driving Report: East Rutherford DWI Police Blotter

Here in New Jersey, drunk driving arrests happen on a daily basis. Many times these incidents begin with a routine traffic stop for a sometimes minor traffic violation but soon turn into a full-blown DWI situation. Instances of motor vehicle accidents can also lead to a driver being slapped with a summons for driving under the influence of alcohol.

As a New Jersey drunk driving defense lawyer, my firm represents individuals who have been accused by state or local police of driving while intoxicated. A look at the local news shows a sampling of DWI arrests in the Bergen County area, which illustrate the typical kinds of traffic stops that lead to possible drunk driving charges and convictions.

One such stop occurred on a Monday evening when a concerned motorist called police on her cell phone to reports a possible drunken driver ahead of her on West Paterson Avenue in East Rutherford, NJ. Police responding to the call came upon a vehicle at the intersection of Paterson and Main. A 43-year-old man was in the vehicle seated in what police described as "a fully reclined position" and apparently asleep.

Waking up the out-of-state driver to request the man's paperwork, officers reported that they detected the smell of alcohol on the driver's breath. Suspecting that he was intoxicated, police had the man perform a number of field sobriety tests, which he reportedly failed. At that point, the officers arrested the man and charged him with DWI.

On another occasion, a patrolman going eastbound on Route 3 watched as another car passed him in the center lane and then reportedly swerved between the lane demarcations. The officer noted that the suspect vehicle nearly struck another motor vehicle at that time. Driving another 500 yards, the vehicle was observed pulling over in the right lane. The officer then called to the man via his patrol car's PA system and told him to move his car.

Pulling the driver over into a nearby gas station, the officer asked the driver to exit the vehicle and perform several field sobriety tests. Failing those tests, the 45-year-old Rutherford resident arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Consequently, he was also charged with driving on a suspended license, careless driving, failure to maintain his lane and obstructing passage of other motor vehicles.

Continue reading "Bergen County, NJ, Drunken Driving Report: East Rutherford DWI Police Blotter" »

October 9, 2010

New Jersey Man Acquitted of Vehicular Homicide in Fatal Drunk Driving-related ATV Accident

According to news reports, a New Jersey man was found not guilty of homicide while driving drunk on an all-terrain vehicle. The original charges came from a DWI-related ATV accident back in 2009, which allegedly resulted in the death of another individual in Manchester Township.

Based on court records, 22-year-old Mark Renehan was declared not guilty in connection with the drunk driving-related death of his best friend, Jonathon Byram, on July 5, 2009. The charges at that time included homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, drunk driving, involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment.

The young man's attorney stated that because of the nature of the case, the prosecution should have done a more thorough examination of the circumstances before bringing the case to trial. As it ended up, the lawyer for Renehan said that the acquittal was a "just outcome." The attorney went on to say that the jury came to the correct conclusion, especially considering that the defendant "lost his best friend" in the accident, making it a difficult trial for both his family and that of the victim's.

The trial covered the events of that fateful day when Renehan, Byram and a third man were riding in a Kawasaki 750LE Teryx. With Reneham at the controls, the vehicle left the north side of the roadway and rolled over onto the passenger side. The crash fatally injured Byram, who was seated in the passenger seat at the time of the accident.

Responding to a 911 call, State Police had detected an odor of alcohol emanating from him. Renehan said that he and his passengers had been drinking prior to the crash, according to an affidavit.


Renehan cleared in ATV homicide, WayneIndependent.com, September 30, 2010


September 10, 2010

NJ Drunk Driving Defense News: Bergen County DWI and Drug DUI and CDS Arrests

As a New Jersey DWI defense attorney, my law offices have a vast amount of experience handling a wide variety of drunken driving, marijuana possession in a vehicle, and drug DUI cases throughout the Garden State. The following is just a sample of the typical police arrests in the Bergen County area that happen every month. These can include driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled dangerous substances (CDS), breath test refusal and possession of cannabis (or weed) in a motor vehicle.

East Rutherford
A 41-year-old man was stopped by police after being caught on radar doing 82mph in a 55mph speed zone. The incident occurred just after 10pm when ERPD officers saw a 2000 Hyundai traveling at a high rate of speed. Following the traffic stop, the driver apparently told officers that he had several drinks previous to taking the wheel. Police reportedly administered field sobriety tests, which the suspect failed, according to police reports. A breath test indicated that the man's blood-alcohol content (BAC) was 0.17 percent -- twice the legal limit. The driver was arrested and charged with drunk driving, careless driving and speeding. He was subsequently released to a responsible party.

Lyndhurst
A 39-year-old driver was arrested and charged with drunken driving on a Saturday evening following a reported motor vehicle accident in a convenience store parking lot. The arrest occurred around 11pm, according to Lyndhurst police.

In separate incident, two Lyndhurst residents were stopped by local police for a routine traffic violation. The police stop took place around 9:30am on a Thursday morning. During the traffic stop, the two vehicle occupants were apparently found to be in possession of possibly illegal drugs. The two were arrested and charged with possession of CDS and later released on summonses.

Responding to an afternoon two-car accident, police discovered that one of the drivers had fled the scene on foot. According to police, several calls soon came in describing a female who was apparently intoxicated near the corner of Rutherford and Polito Avenues. According to reports, police located a 56-year-old woman, who was later identified as the driver that fled the scene and took her into custody. According to police, the out-of-state woman was charged with DWI, refusal to submit to a breath test, leaving the scene of an accident, careless driving, and leaving a vehicle with the engine running.

An early morning traffic stop resulted in a DWI arrest when police observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed along Ridge Road in Lyndhurst. When police caught up to the vehicle the driver had apparently hit a curb at the corner of Summit and Rutherford avenues around 2am. The 22-year-old out-of-state driver was arrested and charged with numerous offenses including DWI, breath test refusal, failure to signal a turn, driving on a suspended license, no registration, speeding, and failure to wear a seatbelt.


Lyndhurst: Police Blotter, NorthJersey.com, July 29, 2010


Lyndhurst: Police Blotter, NorthJersey.com, July 22, 2010

August 6, 2010

NJ Drunk Driving Update: How a New Jersey DWI Arrest Affects Out-of-State Motorists Caught Driving Under the Influence

Being pulled over by a policeman in New Jersey while driving under the influence of alcohol can be just the beginning of a difficult and costly episode in one's life. Getting pulled over for DWI while visiting or just passing through the Garden State can mean a variety of things, not the least of which is denial of that individual's right to operate a motor vehicle in this state.

As a New Jersey lawyer dedicated to defending individuals arrested for DWI, DUI or breath test refusal, I understand how easily a driver can end up with a drunk driving conviction on his or her record. As a former municipal prosecutor, my knowledge of the state's procedures gives me better insight into the process and potential outcomes.

For out-of-state drunken driving offenders, the end result is dependant on a number of factors. Regardless of the circumstances however, being convicted of driving while intoxicated either by use of prescriptions drugs or liquor is something you should avoid if at all possible.

While a patrolman may not at first be aware of whether or not a driver has had too much to drink, the officer can stop you for any number of potential traffic violations such as running a red light, making a lane change without signaling or not maintaining ones lane.

New Jersey's drunk driving laws apply to all motorists regardless of whether or not one is a resident. However, for out-of-state drivers a possible conviction for DWI does not arise as a result of the state where an individual obtained their drivers license. Specifically, when an individual licensed in a state other than New Jersey is charged with a drinking and driving offense here in New Jersey, all that this state can do is enforce the particular DWI, drug DUI and/or refusal charge by limiting that driver's ability to operate a motor vehicle within New Jersey.

Continue reading "NJ Drunk Driving Update: How a New Jersey DWI Arrest Affects Out-of-State Motorists Caught Driving Under the Influence" »

June 23, 2010

New Jersey DWI Update: Drunk Driving Enforcement Extends to Boaters on Jersey Coastline, Inland Waterways

When it comes to driving under the influence of alcohol on New Jersey's public roads, "tolerance" is by no means a word found in the vocabulary of the state's law enforcement community. Similarly the state has no patience for drinking and piloting a boat along the Garden State's coastline, its lakes or rivers and estuaries. DWI on the high seas, so to speak is just as serious an offense as here on land.

What's surprising is that boat owners don't always consider that the same standards which govern drinking and driving on public roads also apply to the operation of watercraft. Boaters must observe the same drunken driving laws as car, motorcycle and truck owners. Because of this, individuals who violate the DWI laws while boating are also subject to arrest for driving while intoxicated. And also included with this are those related offenses, such as prescription drug DUI and breath test refusal when the operator of a boat has a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) in excess of 0.08 percent.

New Jersey's statutes governing operation of a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs are nearly identical to those that pertain to DWI with a motor vehicle. The penalties are also closely related. The implied consent laws that oblige a licensed driver to submit to a breath or blood test following a drunk driving stop also applies to the operator of a watercraft in New Jersey.

On the flip side, because the statutes are nearly identical between motor vehicle and boat operators, the approach to DWI defense is also quite similar. This fact means that a qualified and experienced drunk driving attorney can usually handle boating-related DWI cases with similar results -- certainly something to consider with the Fourth of July holiday just around the corner and summer coming into full swing.

April 14, 2010

NJ Drug DUI News: Morris County Police Arrest Driver on Possible Marijuana, Cocaine CDS DUI Charges

As a New Jersey drunk driving defense attorney, I understand how alcohol -- beer, wine, hard liquor and other adult beverages -- remains the so-called legal drug of choice for most people. Other illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, meth and illegally procured prescription medications are the other side of the coin.

Regardless of the type, society, the courts and the police have made it clear than any substance that impairs motor skills when driving is deemed a threat to the public's safety. That is why we have DWI laws and drug DUI statutes as well. Being stopped by the cops for driving while intoxicated, whether due to home-brewed ale or home-grown weed will likely get you arrested.

Having a qualified drunk driving attorney at your side is one of the better strategies in cases such as this. A recent news story coming out of Mount Olive, NJ, illustrates the kind of arrest that happens many times over during the year. According to reports, an out-of-state motorist was pulled over for a routine traffic violation -- a broken windshield and an obscured license plate.

During the traffic stop, police allegedly discovered marijuana and crack cocaine in Joseph Kacmarik's vehicle. Doing a background check, police discovered that the Pennsylvania resident previously had his New Jersey driving privileges suspended.

As the suspect got out from his car, officers noticed what looked like marijuana on the driver's seat. Based on this suspicion, police searched the vehicle and came up with a glass pipe that reportedly had burnt crack cocaine residue in it.

Kacmarik was ultimately charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, unsafe vehicle and cracked windshield. Kacmarik was transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $25,000.


Mount Olive arrests Pennsylvania motorist on drug charges, NJ.com,
March 19, 2010