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passengerMost people know that if they operate a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they can be charged with a DWI. However, few people know that you can be charged with a DWI even if you are not driving the vehicle. If you are a passenger who has been arrested or charged with a DWI, you need to contact a skilled New Jersey drunk driving defense attorney as soon as possible. The aftermath of such a charge can be costly both in terms of time and money, but we are committed to helping you fight the charges.

Under New Jersey law, any individual who operates a motor vehicle under the influence of an intoxicating liquor, narcotic, hallucinogenic, or habit-producing drug may be found guilty of driving while intoxicated (DWI). When it comes to DWI charges based on inebriation by alcohol, the person’s blood alcohol concentration must be 0.08 percent or higher.

New Jersey’s DWI statute is quite broad. In fact, under New Jersey Statute 34:4-50(a), a police officer can charge a person sitting in a passenger seat for a DWI if the passenger “permitted” the driver to operate the motor vehicle while under the influence. It is important to note that in order for the passenger to be charged, the passenger must have been under the influence as well or found to have knowledge of the offense.

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carAssault by auto is an extremely serious charge that can be even worse if you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If convicted, you could lose your job, not to mention jeopardizing your personal reputation. If you have been arrested for a DWI, you need to reach out to a skilled New Jersey DWI attorney who can help. We have extensive experience in defending DWIs and criminal charges, and we can apply our knowledge to your case.

Under New Jersey law, an individual is considered to be driving while intoxicated (DWI) when he or she is found to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. It is important to note that you can also be charged with a DWI if you are operating a motor vehicle under the influence of any drugs (illegal, over-the-counter, or prescription) that impair your ability to drive safely. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 10,000 Americans die in drunk driving accidents each year. In addition, nearly 200 of these deaths occur in New Jersey.

The law in New Jersey contains a specific provision that addresses assaults involving automobiles. When someone other than the accused drunk driver suffers injuries as a result of an accident caused by a DWI, the police may file a separate charge known as assault by auto. Unlike a DWI charge in New Jersey, which is a traffic violation instead of a criminal charge, assault by auto is a criminal charge. Assault by auto occurs if a person drives a vehicle recklessly and causes a bodily injury to another person. Bodily injury is defined as physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical condition, and a serious bodily injury is a bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or serious, permanent disfigurement, or the protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

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teenage driverAn underage DWI should never be taken lightly, since it can negatively affect your future in many ways, including your college and employment opportunities. Our skilled New Jersey DWI attorneys can help, whether it is your first DWI or a subsequent charge. Our firm has the resources, knowledge, and experience to handle your case. We have a thorough understanding of what it takes to make a DWI charge stick and what you need to do to defeat it.

According to a new study released by the Colorado State University, about 33 percent of recent high school graduates across the country reported to riding in a car with an impaired driver at least once in the previous year. The study revealed that young adults are more likely to ride with a driver impaired by marijuana than a driver impaired by alcohol.

The study, published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol & Drugs, analyzed data collected in 2013-2014 in two annual surveys, each of which included more than 2,000 young people one or two years after they graduated from high school. According to the study, the impaired driver was more likely to be a peer than an older adult, which is alarming because young impaired drivers are 17 times more likely than adults to die in a crash when their BAC is over the legal limit.

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wineIf you have been charged with a DWI, you need to contact a skilled New Jersey DWI attorney as soon as possible. A DWI conviction can have serious and long-term detrimental consequences for almost every aspect of your life. With meticulous attention to detail, we can offer strong representation against DWI charges.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently released a study that reveals interlocking systems prevent drunk driving in all types of drivers. In other words, laws under which impaired driving offenders are required to install alcohol interlocks in their vehicles have reduced the number of drunk drivers across the country by 16 percent.

Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. In 2016, about 10,500 individuals were killed in drunk driving crashes. In New Jersey, the basic offense of a DWI consists of driving with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher. You should be aware that a DWI charge is not just limited to alcohol. Any drugs – prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal – that impair a person’s ability to drive safely can form the basis of a DWI. A DWI conviction can subject you to serious penalties, including fines, fees, license suspension, ignition interlock device, community service, and even jail time.

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crashIf you have been accused of leaving the scene of an accident in order to evade blood alcohol testing or for any other reason, you can be charged with the criminal offense of leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries. If you have been charged with such an offense, you need to consult a skilled New Jersey traffic violation attorney who can help. With years of experience, we understand how to navigate these cases while protecting your rights at every step of the way.

According to statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 30 percent of all deadly car crashes are directly caused by alcohol-impaired drivers, and more than 10 percent of accidents reported by law enforcement officials are hit and runs. Unfortunately, these accidents are also common in New Jersey.

Recently, a 34-year-old New Jersey man who was drunk when he struck and killed a Rutgers-Newark graduate in a hit and run accident last year has been sentenced to eight years in prison. The defendant will not be eligible for parole until he has served at least 85 percent of the sentence. He was driving on the wrong side of the road and excessively speeding. He pleaded guilty to second-degree vehicle manslaughter and drunk driving in the collision that killed the 23-year-old victim, who was thrown into a parked car upon impact. Unfortunately, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

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tracksA DWI charge is a very serious matter that can affect your family and you for the rest of your lives. If you have been charged with a DWI, perhaps the most important decision you will make will be the attorney and law firm you hire to represent you. With years of experience, our diligent New Jersey DWI attorneys understand how to navigate complex DWI cases. We are committed to providing professional and detail-oriented representation at every step of the way.

Earlier this month, a New Jersey woman was arrested and charged after her car ended up on train tracks in Weehawken. The incident took place at around 3 a.m. when Port Authority Police received a phone call about a car stopped on the light rail tracks near the Lincoln Tunnel. When police arrived at the scene, they gave the 37-year-old woman an alcohol test through a Breathalyzer test, and she failed. She was then charged with DWI and reckless driving. The car was impounded, and New Jersey transit deemed the tracks safe.

Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is an offense committed when a driver operates a motor vehicle after the consumption of alcohol or drugs. An increased alcohol level in the driver’s blood significantly increases the risk of the driver committing errors in judgment and also increases a driver’s reaction time. In New Jersey, just as in other U.S. states, drunk driving is a primary cause of motor vehicle-related fatalities.

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bikeBeing arrested for a DWI can be extremely daunting. If you have been charged with a DWI, it is vital to reach out to a skilled New Jersey DWI attorney who can help. With years of experience, we understand how to navigate these complex claims and protect your rights throughout the entire legal process. We know how stressful these matters can be until they are completely resolved, but you can rest assured we will handle your case efficiently and diligently.

The type of vehicle a person is operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs can have different consequences under the law. In a number of states across the country, a person riding a bicycle while intoxicated can face the same DWI charges as people driving a regular motor vehicle or commercial drivers would face. New Jersey, however, does not treat drinking and biking as a DWI offense.

Title 39 of the Motor Vehicle & Traffic Regulation laws in New Jersey governs bicycling on public roads. A bicycle is defined as a two-wheeled vehicle but is not considered a motor vehicle under the New Jersey DWI statute. The DWI statute only applies to drivers who operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated, including cars, motorcycles, boats, airplanes, dirt bikes, and ATVs. You will not be charged with a DWI if you are riding a different type of non-motorized vehicle, such as a skateboard or rollerblades. As a result, someone who is riding a bike under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be charged with a DWI violation in New Jersey, although they may face other charges, such as public intoxication or disorderly conduct.

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townA DWI conviction has the potential to derail your life. If you have been arrested or charged with a DWI, you need an experienced New Jersey DWI attorney without delay. With years of experience, we understand the nuances of this area of law and how to challenge a DWI arrest. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of each and every one of our clients throughout the entire legal process.

A study of municipalities around New Jersey written by NJ.com found that some local police departments are much more assertive than others in enforcing these laws. You may be surprised to know that some New Jersey cities prohibit the sale of alcohol within city limits. In fact, more than 30 municipalities still forbid the sale of alcohol. Nationwide, approximately 18 million people live in dry areas, which make up about 10 percent of the land area in the U.S. Some of these people even live in “dry counties” but still see higher rates of deadly crashes and arrests.

Similarly, the rates of DWI arrests in these New Jersey “dry towns” are higher than similarly situated New Jersey cities that allow the sale of alcohol. Collingwood had 18 total DWI arrests in 2016, a 20 percent increase from 15 in the prior year. Wildwood Crest saw a significant spike in DWI arrests, jumping 63 percent from 27 in 2016 to 44 in 2017. Cities like Haddon Heights and Haddonfield experienced slightly decreased rates of DWI arrests from the prior year.

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gavelIn New Jersey, the basic offense of driving while intoxicated (DWI) consists of operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. If you have been arrested for a DWI in New Jersey, you need to consult a seasoned New Jersey DWI attorney as soon as possible. A DWI charge or conviction may lead to a number of serious consequences. You may lose your driver’s license, face hefty fines, and even go to jail. Not just that, but your professional and personal reputation may suffer as well. With many years of experience, you can trust that we will make every effort to protect your rights throughout the entire legal process.

Last month, a New Jersey judge launched into a profanity-laced tirade against two New Jersey state troopers during a traffic stop. According to the complaint, two troopers spotted the judge’s vehicle pulled over and parked on the shoulder of the highway. The judge was asleep at the wheel in the front street. When troopers woke him up, they smelled alcohol and noticed the judge’s eyes were bloodshot. However, the judge denied drinking any alcohol or taking any drugs prior to the stop.

Officers then decided to conduct a field sobriety test, at which point the judge informed troopers of his position. The troopers continued the test and arrested the judge for a DWI. The judge was ultimately found not guilty of the DWI charge but is now facing an ethics investigation for citing his position as a judge during the traffic stop. The incident highlights how no one is exempt from New Jersey DWI laws.

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drinkingA DWI conviction can be an ugly stain on your record that can negatively impact many aspects of your life. If you have been charged with a DWI, you need to contact a skilled New Jersey DWI attorney who can help. We will examine the facts of your case and make every effort to protect your rights. You can rest assured that our team has the credentials and knowledge base to defend you against DWI charges.

Drivers who fall asleep behind the wheel are causing more crashes and are as dangerous as drunk drivers, according to a new AAA study. The study tracked more than 3,500 people for several months. The foundation used on-board cameras in vehicles of volunteers to watch their actions as they went about their daily driving routines. What they found was an accident rate by drowsy drivers eight times greater than previously thought.

About 10 percent of crashes a year are due a to drowsy driver, compared to the one to two percent that federal agencies blame on sleepy drivers, the study said. The study is significant because it is the most in-depth study ever conducted on U.S. drivers.

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