New Jersey DWI Lawyer Blog

November 12, 2019

Court Analyzes Sufficiency of Observational Evidence in New Jersey DWI Cases

Many New Jersey DWI convictions were supported, in part, by the results of chemical testing. In 2018, however, the New Jersey Supreme Court invalidated the results of breath tests in many cases. Thus, in cases where a defendant’s conviction is based on a breath test, the conviction may be void. Recently, the Superior Court of New Jersey analyzed whether observational evidence alone was sufficient to sustain a defendant’s conviction following the invalidation of the results of his breath test. If you are charged with a DWI offense in New Jersey, it is wise to consult a skillful New Jersey DWI defense attorney regarding what the State must prove to obtain a conviction.

Facts Surrounding the Defendant’s Arrest

Reportedly, the defendant was stopped in December 2011 for traveling 19 miles over the speed limit. When the police officer approached the defendant’s vehicle, he noticed the defendant smelled of alcohol and had difficulty producing his license and registration. The officer then asked the defendant to submit to field sobriety testing. During the tests, the defendant raised one arm for balance, failed the walk and turn test, and was swaying while standing in place. He then admitted to consuming one shot and two beers.

It is reported that the defendant was charged with DWI. He was convicted based on both the officer’s observation of his behavior and the results of a breath test. The defendant appealed. Following his conviction, the New Jersey Supreme Court rendered breath tests invalid in many cases, including the defendant’s case. Thus, the sole issue on appeal was whether there was sufficient proof to support a conviction based on observational evidence. Continue reading

November 5, 2019

Proof of Operation of a Vehicle in DWI Cases Is Analyzed by New Jersey Court

by Jonathan F. Marshall

If a person is charged with a DWI crime in New Jersey, the State must prove each element of the alleged offense to obtain a conviction. In other words, the State must not only prove that the defendant was impaired due to the ingestion of alcohol, but also that the defendant was operating a vehicle while he or she was impaired. Recently, the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division, discussed what constitutes sufficient evidence of the operation of a vehicle to obtain a DWI conviction. If you reside in New Jersey and are currently charged with a DWI crime, it is advisable to meet with a capable New Jersey DWI defense attorney to discuss what evidence the State may introduce against you.

Facts Surrounding the Defendant’s Arrest

It is reported that the police were called to check on a suspicious vehicle parked in a residential area. Upon arriving on the scene, the police observed the defendant was asleep in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. The police woke the defendant up and questioned him regarding where he was that evening. The defendant stated that he was at a birthday party for his brother and became tired on the way home, so he pulled over and fell asleep. The defendant admitted to consuming one glass of wine.

Allegedly, the defendant submitted to field sobriety testing, which he failed. He was subsequently arrested and taken to the police station, where he was given a breathalyzer test. The test showed that the defendant’s BAC was 0.08%. The defendant was charged with and convicted of DWI. He appealed, arguing in part that the trial court committed an error in finding beyond a reasonable doubt that he operated his vehicle while intoxicated. Continue reading

October 28, 2019

New Jersey Court Discusses a DWI Defendant’s Right to a Speedy Trial

by Jonathan F. Marshall

DWI defendants have numerous rights under the law, including the right to a speedy trial. In other words, criminal defendants have a right to be tried within a certain amount of time from when the charges against them are filed, and if they are not, the charges may be dismissed. Recently, the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey discussed the factors weighed in determining whether a violation of a defendant’s right to a speedy trial has occurred in a DWI case. If you are a New Jersey resident charged with DWI, it is prudent to meet with a skillful New Jersey DWI defense attorney to discuss your rights.

Facts of the Case

It is alleged that the defendant was charged with DWI in November, 2013. There were numerous appearances scheduled and adjourned or continued. The trial was ultimately scheduled for May, 2015. At the time of the trial, the defendant filed a motion to dismiss based on the grounds the State violated his right to a speedy trial. The court denied the motion, and the defendant entered a conditional guilty plea, after which he was sentenced. The defendant then appealed the court’s denial of his motion to the law division, which affirmed the trial court ruling. Subsequently, the defendant appealed to the Superior Court, which affirmed the prior order.

The Right to a Speedy Trial Under New Jersey Law

Under New Jersey law, to evaluate whether a defendant’s right to a speedy trial has been violated, the court will assess the length of the delay, the reason for the delay, the prejudice the delay caused the defendant and the defendant’s assertion of the right to a trial. Continue reading

October 21, 2019

New Jersey Court Discusses Reliability of Blood Tests in DWI Cases

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Under New Jersey law, it is illegal for anyone to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher. Typically, a DWI defendant’s blood alcohol level is established via a breath or blood test. In many cases, the defendant may be able to avoid a conviction by discrediting the results of any test that was administered. Recently, the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division, discussed what evidence is needed to prove that the results of a chemical test are deemed unreliable, in a case in which the defendant appealed his DWI conviction. If you live in New Jersey and are faced with DWI charges, it is wise to speak with a seasoned New Jersey DWI defense attorney about your case.

Factual and Procedural Background of the Case

It is alleged that the defendant was stopped by a police officer for following too closely behind the officer, using high beams, and a lack of front headlights. During the stop, the officer noted that the defendant’s breath had an odor of alcohol. The defendant admitted to drinking, and the officer administered a field sobriety test, after which he arrested the defendant. The defendant was ultimately transported to a hospital, where he underwent blood tests, which revealed his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to be .163%. He was charged with multiple violations, including driving while intoxicated and driving with a BAC over 0.08%.

Reportedly, during the trial, the defendant’s expert testified that the nurse who drew blood from the defendant did not follow the recommended protocol for dissolving the additives in the vials blood is drawn into, which he stated could potentially cause a false elevation of the defendant’s blood-alcohol level. Continue reading

October 15, 2019

New Jersey Court Clarifies Reliability of Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test in DWI Cases

by Jonathan F. Marshall

There are numerous factors a judge or jury can consider in determining whether a person is guilty of DWI, and in many cases, the court will rely on cumulative evidence in determining a person’s guilt. If the State does not have sufficient evidence to prove a defendant was driving while under the influence, the defendant should not be convicted. Recently, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New Jersey clarified that the results of a horizontal gaze nystagmus test, standing alone, are not sufficient to prove guilt in a DWI case. If you are faced with DWI charges it is prudent to consult a skilled New Jersey DUI defense attorney to discuss your potential defenses.

Factual and Procedural Background

It is reported that the defendant was charged with and convicted of DWI. He appealed, arguing in part that the court erred in considering the results of a horizontal gaze nystagmus test as proof of the defendant’s intoxication. On appeal, the court reversed and remanded the case for further proceedings.

Sufficiency of HGN Test as Evidence of DWI

The horizontal gaze nystagmus test involves the police holding a pen to either side of a defendant’s face and asking the defendant to gaze toward the pen while keeping his or her head still. A person’s eye will involuntarily jerk when looking to the side, but in instances in which a suspect is intoxicated the jerking will become exaggerated. Continue reading

October 7, 2019

Court Discusses Rights Afforded to New Jersey DWI Defendants

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Many people think that if they are charged with a DWI, a conviction is inevitable. DWI defendants have numerous rights, however, f their rights are violated during the course of a DWI investigation, the state may be prohibited from introducing evidence found during the investigation against the defendant. The Superior Court of New Jersey recently discussed what constitutes a violation of the right against unreasonable search and seizure and the right to Miranda warnings in a DWI case. If you are a resident of New Jersey currently charged with a DWI, it is advisable to meet with a knowledgeable New Jersey DWI defense attorney regarding your case.

Factual Background

Allegedly, in April 2017, the defendant arrived at the home he previously shared with his estranged wife with damage to his car. The defendant’s wife called the police and reported the defendant entered the home through the basement, was slurring his words, smelled of alcohol, and appeared to be intoxicated. The police arrived at the home, and the wife permitted them to enter. Once inside, they found the defendant, who smelled of alcohol, had difficulty walking. In addition his speech was slurred.

It is alleged that the police asked the defendant to exit the home, which he did. Once outside, the defendant admitted to drinking alcohol and stated that he came to the home to finish a project. The police then asked the defendant to submit to a field sobriety test. The defendant complied but was unable to complete the test. The police arrested the defendant for driving while intoxicated (DWI). A subsequent blood test revealed his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to be .29%. Continue reading

September 26, 2019

New Jersey Police Officer Charged with DWI after Hit and Run Crash

by Jonathan F. Marshall

New Jersey takes a tough stance against anyone convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI). If you were apprehended for a DWI, our accomplished New Jersey drunk driving lawyers are here to protect your rights. We will conduct a thorough investigation into the criminal allegations against you and devise an aggressive defense strategy accordingly. We know how to identify any procedural errors or constitutional violations that may have taken place in your situation.

Under state law, you could face DWI charges for getting behind the wheel with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. The legal limit is lower for minors and commercial drivers. You should also know that driving while impaired by any kind of drugs can also lead to a DWI charge.

A New Jersey police sergeant was charged with a DWI last month after he crashed into a motorcyclist in upstate New York and then fled the scene. New York State Police said they responded to a call just after 9pm and found the 49-year-old Canadian motorcyclist lying in a ditch with a broken leg. While the New Jersey police officer drove away, the front license plate of his Mercedes-Benz had fallen off where the crash had occurred. State troopers located the cop a few miles down the road, sitting in his car, which had significant damage and had broken down. According to the New York troopers, the New Jersey officer was visibly drunk and refused a breathalyzer test. He was charged with assault by auto, leaving the scene of an accident with an injury, and drunk driving.

September 19, 2019

Thirteen Percent of U.S. Drivers Underestimate Dangers of Driving While High

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Being arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) is an extremely serious matter that needs to be handled with the utmost care. Not only are these charges difficult to deal with from a legal standpoint, they can also adversely affect your future and your employment. If you have been charged with impaired driving, our New Jersey DWI attorneys can help you figure out your next steps. With extensive experience in this field of law, you can trust that we will not lead you astray.

According to a survey conducted by the American Automobile Association (AAA), the public routinely underestimates the dangers of driving while high. Of the 2,582 drivers surveyed, about 13.5 percent of U.S. drivers stated they thought that driving within one hour of consuming marijuana was only “slightly dangerous” or “not dangerous at all.” In comparison, only 1.2 percent of individuals surveyed said that driving while intoxicated by alcohol was “slightly dangerous” or ‘not dangerous at all.”

Even though a higher rate of people believe that driving while high is relatively safe, drunk driving is still considered to be much more common and may be more dangerous. Data from AAA reveals that 14.8 million drivers across the country drove soon after using marijuana in the past 30 days, compared to 33 million Americans who drove within two hours of drinking in the last month. While it is clear that driving while high is unsafe, the extent to which it is unsafe is still unclear. The effects of alcohol, on the other hand, have been well documented.

September 12, 2019

New Jersey Cracks Down on DWI Laws

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a serious offense that can have negative effects on virtually every aspect of your life. If you have been arrested or charged with a DWI, our New Jersey DWI attorneys have the experience and skills to represent you. We will thoroughly review your situation and use our knowledge to challenge the charges against you. Our goal is to help you avoid the most serious penalties and expenses that accompany a DWI.

In New Jersey, you can be arrested and charged for driving while intoxicated if you are found operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. When it comes to alcohol, if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 percent or above, then you can be on the hook for a DWI. You can even be charged and convicted of a DWI if your BAC is less than 0.08 percent but your ability to drive safely is compromised.

Individuals caught drunk driving will face different penalties to what they did before. Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill into law in August, 2019 that cracks down on drunk driving in New Jersey while also allowing more offenders to hold on to their licenses. The new law reduces the amount of time an individual caught driving under the influence in in the state will lose their license. In exchange for driving privileges, however, the offender will be required to an install ignition interlock device (IID). The IID is a device, which an offender must pay to have installed, that identifies alcohol from a driver’s breath sample. If alcohol is discovered, the vehicle will not start. The measure is designed to curb repeat offenses while still permitting people to continue working and earn a living.

September 5, 2019

Almost Half of E-Scooter Accidents Involve Alcohol

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Driving under the influence is a huge problem in New Jersey and throughout the country. However, police can sometimes be overzealous in charging individuals who may not be guilty. If you’ve been arrested for impaired driving, getting legal advice is vital. Our New Jersey driving while intoxicated (DWI) legal advocates have the experience and expertise to help ease your mind and protect your future. We are dedicated to delivering a solid defense on your behalf so that you can put this incident behind you and move on with your life.

According to a new study published in Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open, almost 40 percent of individuals who were tested for alcohol after e-scooter mishaps had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the lawful driving limit. Specifically, of the 103 patients treated at three different trauma clinics for e-scooter related injuries, 79 percent were tested for alcohol and 48 percent of those people had a BAC of over 0.08 percent. In addition, sixty percent of the 103 patients in the report were assessed for drugs, and 52 percent of those individuals tested positive.

Recognizing the dangers of alcohol use and e-scooters, New Jersey passed a bill earlier this year that regulated scooters like bicycles, which means people can ride them on streets, highways and bicycle paths. In addition, if you operate a scooter while intoxicated, you could face DWI charges.