Articles Posted in DWI News

A DWI conviction can drastically impact a person’s life, causing harm to the individual’s reputation and career prospects. Even if a person charged with DWI has compelling defenses, there is usually a risk that a trial could result in a guilty verdict.  Thus, in some instances, it may be prudent for a person to plead guilty to a lesser offense. This was the path chosen recently by a basketball player at a New Jersey university who was faced with charges of DWI and other offenses and entered into a plea deal. If you are charged with a DWI offense, you may face significant penalties if you are convicted, and it is in your best interest to meet with a knowledgeable New Jersey DWI defense attorney to assess your options.

The Defendant’s Arrest and Plea

It is reported that the defendant, a basketball player for a New Jersey University, was stopped by a police officer for failing to stop at a stop sign. When the officer approached the vehicle, he observed that the defendant’s demeanor and smell suggested that he had been drinking alcohol. He submitted to field sobriety testing, which he failed. He was subsequently arrested and charged with DWI, reckless driving, and other traffic offenses. Several months after his arrest, he pleaded guilty to the reckless driving charge, and the DWI offense was dropped by the State. He was sentenced to pay a fine and lost his driver’s license for 60 days.

Penalties for DWI Convictions in New Jersey

In New Jersey, the penalties for a DWI crime vary depending on several factors, including the defendant’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level, whether the defendant caused an accident or injured anyone during the commission of the offense, and whether he or she has prior DWI convictions. Generally, a person charged with a first time DUI with a BAC under 0.10% faces fines between $250 and $400, increased insurance rates, and the loss of his or her license for three months. A sentence for such an offense may also include jail time up to 30 days, an ignition interlock requirement for up to a year, and mandatory alcohol abuse classes. If the defendant’s BAC was 0.10% or higher, he or she faces stricter penalties, as do people charged with second or subsequent DWI offenses. Conversely, a person convicted of reckless driving typically results in fines and the temporary loss of a license. Continue reading

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.

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New Jersey, like the vast majority of states, has an open container law prohibiting an open or unsealed alcohol beverage container in a motor vehicle. You are most likely to face an open container in a vehicle charge in connection with a driving while intoxicated (DWI) charge. If you or someone close to you was charged with any offense related to drunk driving, we are here to assist you. You can take comfort in knowing that we will provide you with a reliable and robust legal defense concerning your charges. You can trust that we will advocate on behalf of your best interests each step of the way.

A 27-year old man was arrested and charged with a DWI after driving erratically, according to the Cranford Police Department. Police stopped the vehicle for erratic driving but, following an investigation, the driver was arrested for drunk driving. The man was also issued a motor vehicle summonses for, among other things, open container and careless driving.

In New Jersey, an individual commits a DWI if he or she operates a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. BAC indicates the amount of alcohol in your blood. While 0.08 percent is the official legal limit, you can be guilty of drunk driving even if your BAC is lower than this amount but your ability to drive has been impaired. This is because drinking even seemingly insignificant amounts of alcohol can reduce reaction time and interfere with a person’s ability to drive safely.

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If you have been charged with drunk driving, you may be facing strict and debilitating penalties. Our New Jersey DWI lawyers understand the state’s criminal defense laws and we know first hand that experience counts. Having handled and resolved countless DWI cases, we know how to provide clients with a full legal defense in an effort to mitigate adverse consequences.. Acting quickly after being charged is imperative in these cases, so please do not wait to call our office.

Despite countless awareness campaigns surrounding the dangers of drunk driving, it continues to be a major problem. A new study published by the American Addiction Centers revealed some alarming trends about drinking and driving habits in the US. The report surveyed 600 Americans. When examining the number of times individuals had driven after drinking in the preceding 30 days, the survey found that 23.2 percent of people admitted to driving after drinking at least 1-2 times and 21.7 percent of respondents admitted to drinking and driving over 6 times. Shockingly, 36 percent admitted to driving while blackout drunk while almost 50 percent admitted to being passengers of a drunk driver. In addition, 53.5 percent of survey respondents said they feel capable of driving after drinking as opposed to 46.5 percent who said they do not.

Just because drunk driving is a major problem in the country does not mean everyone charged with the offense is guilty. New Jersey law makes it a criminal offense to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher if you are 21 years of age or older. The legal limit is lower for individuals under 21 as well as for commercial drivers. If you have been charged with a DWI, one of the following defenses may be applicable in your case:

Everyone makes mistakes, but if a police officer or a New Jersey prosecutor makes an error in your case, it should not hurt you and your future. If you have been charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI), do not underestimate the importance of having a skilled legal advocate on your side. Our diligent New Jersey DWI attorneys will thoroughly review the facts and build the strongest possible defense in your case. We understand how high the stakes are, which is why we will zealously protect your rights at each stage of the legal process.

Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the country have experienced some type of harm due to another person’s conduct while drinking, according to research recently published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. The study found that in 2015, about 53 million adults – or roughly 20 percent – indicated that they had gone through at least one harm, which could be attributed to someone else’s drinking in the prior twelve months. That harm varied from property damage to bodily injury. This risk is especially significant for driving-related incidents. In fact, heavy drinkers were 12 times more likely to have been involved in a crash or in a vehicle with a drunk driver than the rest of the population.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is against the law in New Jersey. When you are arrested for a DWI, the police will administer a breath test, which will determine your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). A driver who is 21 years of age or above will be charged with a DWI if his or her BAC is 0.08 percent or higher. If a driver is under the age of 21, however, that individual will be charged with a DWI if his or her BAC is 0.01 percent or higher. The legal limit for commercial drivers is a BAC of 0.04 percent or higher.

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Being arrested for driving while high is not something you should take lightly. You could face a suspended license, hefty fines and maybe even jail time. If you have been charged with a DWI, it is in your best interest to retain the services of an experienced New Jersey DWI attorney. With years of experience, we understand how to effectively fight for your rights both in the context of a settlement negotiation and in the courtroom.

According to a new study by the AAA, almost 70 percent of Americans believe it is unlikely that a driver will get caught for getting behind the wheel while high on marijuana. In addition, the researchers noted that approximately 14.8 million drivers in the last month, nationwide, reported having driven within one hour of smoking, injecting or covering themselves with a marijuana product. This is alarming because it can take between one and four hours after using marijuana to feel its impairing effects. Data also shows that an increased number of Americans approve of driving after using marijuana (7 percent) as compared to driving under the influence of alcohol (1.6 percent). Young drivers tend to be the most pro-pot, with 14 percent admitting to operating a motor vehicle an hour after using.

Perhaps the prevalence of driving while high doesn’t come as much of a surprise considering marijuana is now legal several states and may very well be legal in New Jersey in the near future. In New Jersey, it is currently against the law to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. When it comes to impairment caused by alcohol, a person will be charged with a DWI if his or her blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 percent or higher.

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Drunk driving charges can impact virtually every aspect of your existence. If you’ve been arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI), you need to call a New Jersey DWI attorney immediately. While an arrest for DWI can seriously interfere with your life, a DWI conviction can be even worse. You may lose your driver’s license, be required to pay substantial fines and you can even face jail time. Because the stakes are so high, DWI charges should never be taken lightly. With extensive understanding of the state’s drunk driving laws, you can take comfort in knowing that we will provide an aggressive defense in your case.

A 34-year-old New Jersey teacher was charged with a DWI after crashing her car into a pizza shop in Camden County last month. Footage of the incident shows the woman barreling her car into the front of the store. The accident destroyed much of the store and left three employees inside the restaurant with minor injuries, according to the prosecutor’s office. The driver was taken to the hospital by authorities where she consented to a blood draw. Her blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was determined to be .195, more than twice the legal limit. The pizza restaurant is now closed until further notice.

As in other states, a person in the state of New Jersey can be charged with a DWI if he or she exceeds the legal intoxication limit. Under state law, a driver who is found to be operating a motor vehicle with a BAC 0.08 percent of higher can be held liable for a DWI. You should be aware, however, that a DWI charge is not limited to alcohol consumption. Any substance that reduces a driver’s reaction time or hinders a person’s ability to drive safely can lead to a DWI as well. This includes mind-altering substances such as marijuana, and other illegal drugs, as well as over the counter or even prescription drugs.

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Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a serious offense and a conviction can have serious negative effects on an individual’s life. If you have been arrested for driving under the influence of drugs, it is critical that your rights are protected. Our experienced New Jersey DWI attorneys will examine the facts of your case and prepare a vigorous defense in your legal matter. We understand that it seems like the laws are stacked against you, but we know how to find weaknesses in the prosecution’s case that can be used to your advantage.

A new study indicates that riding with an impaired driver is common among young adults. In fact, 33 percent of those who graduated from high school recently admitted to riding in a vehicle with a substance-impaired driver at least once in the last year. The research was conducted using reports from the National Institute of Child and Human Development’s NEXT Generation Health Study, which examined data from a study that spanned seven years and included information on more than 2,700 US adolescents beginning at grade 10.

The study, which was published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, also found that young adults are more likely to ride with a driver who is impaired by marijuana (23 percent) than a driver who is impaired by alcohol (20 percent). In addition, about 6 percent of young adults had gotten into an automobile with a driver impaired by harder, illicit drugs (i.e., cocaine). Researchers point out that those who have gotten into a vehicle with an intoxicated driver in the past are more likely to drive under the influence themselves and have a greater likelihood of riding with an intoxicated driver in the future.

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For teenagers across New Jersey and the U.S., the beginning of summer generally means more time and freedom to do what they want. Unfortunately, DWI arrests and traffic deaths for teens seem to spike during this time frame as well. If you or your loved one has been placed under arrest for an underage DWI, you should call a New Jersey DWI defense attorney as soon as possible. These charges are extremely serious and can negatively affect almost every aspect of your life, including your future education, employment, and even housing opportunities.

According to an AAA study, more than 1,000 people are killed in accidents involving a teen driver between Memorial Day and Labor Day – a period known as the 100 Deadliest Days of summer. On average, about 10 deaths a day are reported, which is a 14 percent spike compared to the rest of the year. AAA says that that speeding is the biggest contributor to these deadly accidents, followed by impaired driving. In fact, impaired driving was cited as a factor in about 17 percent of deadly accidents involving a teen driver, which is even more alarming because teenagers are not legally allowed to consume alcohol. AAA data reveal that about one out of six teen drivers involved in a deadly accident over the summer months tested positive for alcohol.

In New Jersey, there is a DWI statute for underage offenders. You can be charged with an underage DWI, commonly known as a “baby DWI,” if you are under the age of 21 and are operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.01 percent or higher. It is important to note that if your BAC is 0.08 percent or higher, you will be charged with a regular DWI in addition to the underage offense.

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If you are facing driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges in New Jersey, you are at risk of losing your driver’s license, paying hefty fines and even going to jail. The stakes are too high and a DWI conviction can negatively impact virtually every aspect of your life. If you or someone close to you has been charged with a DWI, you need to consult our aggressive and knowledgeable New Jersey DWI attorneys as soon as possible.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), along with other organizations, recently announced a national campaign to raise awareness about marijuana-impaired driving. The campaign’s motto, “If You Feel Different, You Drive Different,” hopes to encourage drivers to recognize that they should not drive under the influence of marijuana. NHTSA’s newest national roadside evaluation highlights that from the years of 2007-2013, there was an almost 50 percent spike in weekend nighttime drivers who tested positive for some type of marijuana. Part of the campaign’s purpose is to emphasize that while it may be legal to use marijuana in your state, it is still illegal to get behind the wheel under the influence of the drug.

In New Jersey, it is against the law to drive a motor vehicle under the influence of any drug that hinders your ability to drive in a safe manner. In fact, you can still be charged with a drug DWI even if you had a valid prescription so long as the prosecutor can show that the drug impaired your ability to operate a motor vehicle. This law does not specify a certain amount of drugs that must be in your system and, unlike alcohol content, which can easily be measured by a breath test, there is no standard test to figure out if you are under the influence of drugs. Rather, you can be charged with a drug DWI if you seem impaired by drugs to the arresting officer.
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