New Jersey DWI Lawyer Blog
A police officer can stop a car for any legal reason. However, a reason is required, meaning arbitrary, unexplained stops are not permitted under the law. For example, an officer cannot just pull you over to check your driver’s license and registration. If you have been arrested or charged with a DWI in New Jersey, it is imperative to seek the help of a skilled New Jersey DWI attorney who can assess the merits of your case. We can examine the facts of your situation, including the manner in which your vehicle was stopped and the legality of the stop.
In New Jersey, the legal standard for making a traffic stop is “reasonable suspicion.” This is a legal standard that is something more than a hunch and something less than probable cause. The officer must be able to articulate a legal basis for the stop. For example, a police officer may stop a car if the driver is speeding or if the car is not properly registered. It is important to note that an officer’s mistaken belief or understanding of a fact (i.e., the driver had a suspended license) will not be invalidated as long as the officer’s actions were supported by a “reasonable” belief that the related facts were true.
In New Jersey, the offense of driving while intoxicated (DWI) consists of getting behind the wheel with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. Put another way, if you are operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher, you are considered under the influence.
When your vehicle is stopped, you must produce identification when asked. In fact, it is a separate violation to fail to provide your identification. If the officer asks you to get out of the car, you must do so. If you are suspected to be under the influence, police can order you to do a field sobriety test or submit to a Breathalyzer.
If it can be established that police did not have a valid reason, based on a reasonable suspicion, to stop a vehicle, any evidence the police collect may be excluded from trial. This can include the results of standard field sobriety tests, breath samples, and Breathalyzer or Alcotest results. These cases can be complex, and a skilled attorney can examine the circumstances of your stop and subsequent DWI arrest to determine your rights.
A DWI charge should never be taken lightly because it can adversely affect many aspects of your life.
If you have been arrested or charged with a DWI, you need an experienced New Jersey DWI attorney to protect your rights at every step of the way. With years of experience, we understand this area of the law and can apply our knowledge to your case. You can rest assured that, whenever possible, we will look for evidence that could lead to a dismissal of the charge. For more guidance about your legal rights and options, call us at 877-450-8301 or reach out to us online.
More Blog Posts:
Labor Day DWI Checkpoints in New Jersey
Understanding Sentencing Enhancements in New Jersey DWI Cases