Marijuana Possession in a Vehicle

November 2, 2011

Monmouth County Drunk Driving News: Teens’ Car Strikes Police Car at DWI Checkpoint, Officer Injured

There are always a few things that you don’t want to happen when it comes to driving drunk here in the Garden State. First, underage drinking (and even underage possession of alcohol) should be avoided since it can affect a youngster’s future without him or her even knowing it. Second, if one is bound and determined to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or prescription medication (drug DUI), don’t hit a police patrol car or injure an officer while you’re at it.

As New Jersey DWI defense lawyers, I and my staff of experienced drunken driving attorneys understand that kids experiment with all manner of things and activities. Some are harmless, some simply embarrassing; but drinking and driving as a minor can put a real dent in one’s future. Of course, teenagers are not always receptive to this message, so it really goes out to all the parents.

This warning applies to families all across the state. Whether you live in Atlantic, Sussex, Ocean or Passaic County, DWI and drug DUI can be costly, not only financially but in terms of being potentially damaging to one’s social standing and career prospects as well. For teens, an arrest for DWI or drug DUI can affect individuals in their adult years as well, which makes it advisable to contact a qualified drunk driving defense attorney to better understand the charges against your underage son or daughter.

Earlier this month, two teenagers ended up in trouble at one of the many roadside DWI checkpoints that appear from time to time across the state. This one, in Monmouth County, was about to go into operation by the Holmdel police. According to news reports, police were setting up the roadblock when the incident occurred just before midnight.
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October 24, 2011

Monmouth County Drug DUI Update: New Jersey Drivers Arrested for Marijuana Possession — Part 2

by Jonathan F. Marshall

As we mentioned a while back, it’s relatively easy to get pulled over for a traffic-related offense here in New Jersey. In fact, something as minor as not making a complete stop at a controlled intersection, or not signaling a turn properly can result in a traffic stop. But it’s after this initial police stop that can get a motorist in really hot water — that is, receiving a summons for drinking and driving.

It makes little difference whether one is stopped for a non-working brake light or cracked windshield, if you live in Hudson, Ocean, Bergen or any of the other counties throughout the Garden State, chances are you will at one time or another be pulled over for some type of traffic infraction.

Once a patrolman has stopped a motor vehicle, the driver may be interviewed as to the reason for the offense. If the police officer detects alcohol or drug use, a whole other line of questions may ensue, which may or may not lead to an arrest for DWI or drug DUI. A percentage of traffic stops may result in some kind of marijuana-related charge, depending on the circumstances.

Not surprisingly, cannabis (or weed) is one of the more common illegal substances encountered by law enforcement officers patrolling this state’s highways. Similar in nature to a drunken driving traffic stop, being pulled over and subsequently charged with a (marijuana-related) drug DUI, or simply possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) like cannabis, is more common than many people may realize.
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October 15, 2011

Monmouth County Drug DUI Update: New Jersey Drivers Arrested for Marijuana Possession — Part 1

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Similar in nature to the typical drunken driving arrest, being charged with marijuana-related drug DUI or possession of weed in one’s vehicle can begin in much the same manner as a DWI traffic stop. Here in the Garden State, a state police trooper or local municipal patrolman cannot stop a vehicle simply on a hunch that the driver is drunk or otherwise impaired due to alcohol or other substances, such as cocaine or cannabis.

As New Jersey DWI-DUI defense attorneys, my firm is experienced in representing motorists who have been arrested or charged with driving under the influence of beer, wine, hard liquor, prescription medication, or illicit drugs. These arrests, as they pertain to traffic enforcement, usually begin with the officer observing some kind of motor vehicle infraction or other kind of traffic offense.

It doesn’t take much to get pulled over these days; a broken or burned-out headlamp, taillight can garner the same attention as making an improper turn or rolling through a stop sign. Whatever the initial traffic offense, once the patrolman has stopped a motorist, any evidence of alcohol consumption, drug use or drug possession can trigger an arrest.

Of course, marijuana is one of the most commonly encountered drugs in traffic enforcement here in New Jersey. In our experience, arrests related to marijuana use or possession are relatively commonplace, which is hardly surprising given that some estimates place marijuana production and sales at $30 billion or more annually.

As a former municipal prosecutor who once worked for the state convicting motorists and other individuals of DWI and DUI offenses, I have seen hundreds of these kinds of cases over the years. People accused of drug DUI routinely appear before municipal and county court judges to fight cannabis-related charges.
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October 12, 2011

Union County, NJ, Police Blotter Reports Numerous Drunken Driving and Marijuana Arrests

by Jonathan F. Marshall

With nearly nine million residents, the Garden State has the greatest population density of all 50 states, which might explain the constant stream of drunk driving arrests all across the state. As New Jersey DWI defense attorneys, I and my staff of experienced litigators understands how easily a motorist can become entangled in the state’s legal system following a seemingly simple traffic stop.

The fact of the matter is, nobody expects to be pulled over by a state police trooper or a local municipal patrolman, however police stops for minor traffic violations can many times precipitate into an arrest for driving while intoxicated. Anyone who has ever gone to an acquaintance’s home for a birthday celebration or gone out with friends to enjoy a pleasant evening eating good food and having some wine or after-dinner drinks will likely recall the concern of being stopped for a DWI.

Even if a person isn’t a drinker, the use of doctor-prescribed medication can have an unexpected affect on a driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle, which may not have been immediately obvious. Just the same, however, once a police officer has stopped a driver for a traffic infraction, the opportunity for a DWI or DUI is always there.

As the following items from the Cranford, NJ, police blotter illustrate, being stopped for driving under the influence of alcohol or drug DUI is neither uncommon nor exceptional. In fact, these reports are typical of the drunk driving cases that come through New Jersey courtrooms on a weekly basis.
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August 19, 2011

Monmouth County Police Blotter: Red Bank Police Tote Up Drunken Driving Arrests in July

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Here in the Garden State, drunken driving arrests are not uncommon, especially during the summer months when company picnics, family gatherings and friendly get-togethers are much more frequent. The point is, while being pulled over for driving under the influence may not be unusual during most of the year, getting a summons for DWI or breath test refusal this time of year can be downright predictable, at least to experienced drunk driving attorneys.

A range of alcohol- and drug-related arrests can be seen every week in the police blotter section of the news pages here in Monmouth County, as well as Ocean, Bergen and Middlesex counties. As professional drunken driving defense lawyers, I and my staff have seen our share of courtroom scenarios, from auto accidents allegedly caused by motorists accused of driving while intoxicated by beer, wine or hard liquor, to individuals arrested and charged with impaired driving related to prescription drug use (drug DUI).

And we are no strangers to defending drivers charged with DUIs allegedly caused by controlled dangerous substances (CDS) like marijuana. Whether the charge is DUI or simple possession of weed in a motor vehicle, anyone accused of these kinds of offenses should take very seriously the implications and potential penalties for a conviction on such charges.
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August 5, 2011

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

by Jonathan F. Marshall

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.
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July 4, 2011

Police Blotter: Monmouth County, NJ, Drunken Driving and CDS-related Arrests in Middletown

by Jonathan F. Marshall

As New Jersey drunken driving and drug DUI attorneys, my legal staff has a great deal of experience defending residents of Bergen, Middlesex, Sussex and Passaic County against charges of DWI and drug DUI, not to mention marijuana possession and related offenses. While the circumstances of each drunk driving case vary to a great extent, the consequences and potential penalties are usually more predictable.

Being DWI defense lawyers, we can say unequivocally that a drunken driving or drug-related DUI arrest, much less a conviction, can cause serious problems for many people in terms of their careers, personal relationships and standing in their neighborhood or local community.

The following news items from around Monmouth County are just several of the dozens of arrests that take place every day across the Garden State. They illustrate the variety of drunk driving and prescription medication DUI reports that police officer files on a daily basis. The resulting penalties for those individuals who are found guilty in a court of law can be costly in financial terms as well as changes that they cause to a person’s livelihood and lifestyle.

In the early hours of a Sunday morning, a local police officer pulled a vehicle over along a stretch of Oak Hill Rd. after he observed the car had a headlamp, taillamp or marker lamp violation. Upon interviewing the 20-year-old local driver at the roadside, the patrolman apparently detected evidence of intoxication and/or alcohol consumption by the motorist. The man was subsequently arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. The suspect was taken into custody, transported to the local police department and processed. He was reportedly released pending a later court appearance.
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June 30, 2011

Toms River Legal Defense News: Ocean County to Increase Drunken Driving Checkpoints to Curb Summer Accidents

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Now that summer is in full swing here in the Garden State, there are numerous occasions to celebrate; family gatherings, company outings, and after-work events in restaurants and bars throughout the state. Although the state police and local law enforcement agencies have been doing their part to curb the amount of drinking and driving on New Jersey roadways for years now, every week dozens of drivers are charged with DWI or impairment due to prescription medication (drug DUI).

As drunken driving defense lawyers representing people in Bergen, Monmouth, Passaic and Atlantic County, as well as the rest of the state, we understand fully the negative impact that a drunk driving conviction can have on a person’s career and personal life. It isn’t just the monetary hit that a driver takes following a sentence for first-time DWI or drug DUI. A driver’s insurance rates will automatically go up significantly and remain there for several years.

One of the places that drivers get arrested for drinking and driving is the all-too-common sobriety checkpoint. Also known as a DWI or drunken driving roadblock, these temporary checkpoints are erected by police in areas that typically have a high incidence of DWI or DUI arrested. This fact is the justification for state and local police to set up a roadblock in order to assess drivers’ sobriety one at a time.

According to news reports, New Jersey, along with other states across the country, will be participating in a continuation of what has become a summertime staple — the DWI checkpoint program. This ongoing program includes the operation thought our state of multiple checkpoint locations in various counties, such asOcean County. Sobriety roadblocks reportedly work by supplementing local police enforcement of drunken driving laws.
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June 28, 2011

New Jersey Drunk Driving Defense News: Union County DWI-DUI Police Blotter

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Anyone who travels the surface streets or interstate routes in New Jersey is bound to run into a state patrolman or local municipal police officer at least once in their driving career. For the average person, those who take a drink socially from time to time, there is a good chance that he or she might be pulled over for a minor traffic infraction and then possibly be charged with driving while intoxicated.

Whether one lives or works in Bergen, Middlesex or Ocean County, a DWI arrest and conviction can spell the end of a promising business career, lost friendships or a ruined marital relationship. Such is the stigma of a drunk driving or prescription drug DUI guilty verdict. As New Jersey drunken driving defense attorneys, I and my staff of experienced DWI lawyers understand how a routine traffic stop can snowball into a full-blown DWI-DUI arrest.

And, we will add, the typical scenario repeats itself over and over again across the state on a regular basis. Some individuals get stopped just down the road from a bar or pub, at which they may or may not have enjoyed a glass wine, bottle of beer or shot of whiskey. Other drivers may be surprised by one of the many sobriety checkpoints that pop up from time to time in areas where drunk driving is reportedly quite common, according to police statistics.

The following news items represent a cross-section of alcohol-, prescription medication- and even illegal drug-related DUI reports that come in from every corner of the Graden State. It’s not surprising that a percentage of individuals arrested for DWI are found not guilty by a court of law. Others, sad to say, may believe that their “number was up” and chose to accept their sentence or pled to a reduced charge, yet still end up with a DWI on their record and steep fines and penalties to pay.

According to recent police blotter reports, police departments in Union County arrested a number of people on suspicion of drunken driving, as follows:

Cranford
Patrolmen from the local police department stopped a vehicle driven by a 19-year-old Cranford resident on a stretch of Dunham Ave. for allegedly failing to stay to the right-hand side of the roadway. After approaching the vehicle, officers found evidence of heroin and drug paraphernalia. The man was arrested and taken into custody after which he was charged with possession with intent to distribute, and controlled dangerous substance (CDS) in a motor vehicle.
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June 14, 2011

Monmouth County Drunk Driving Police Blotter: Holmdel and Middletown DWI, DUI and Marijuana Arrests

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Every day in the Garden State, local and state police stop drivers for a variety of traffic violations. Some of these individuals are suspected of drunken driving, arrested and charged with DWI, drug DUI, or possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle. As New Jersey drunk driving defense lawyers, our job is to represent people who feel they have been unjustly accused of driving under the influence of alcohol or prescription medication (drug DUI).

Many DWI or DUI arrests start out as a simple traffic stop conducted by a municipal patrolman or state trooper. Whether the incident occurs in Bergen, Ocean, Sussex or Atlantic County, the scenarios can be quite similar, although the particular details — such as field sobriety test results, breathalyzer (or Alcotest) readings, or failure to submit to a breath or blood test — vary between cases.

The following is a brief list from police blotters illustrating the kinds of drunken driving arrests that can happen from one day to the next. Not every person is guilty, but it is always advisable to consult with a qualified DWI defense attorney to understand your particular circumstances.

Middletown Township
A local police officer working an early morning traffic patrol responded to a report of a car crash along a stretch of Belmont Ave. where a motor vehicle had apparently hit a fence and subsequently left the scene of the accident. After a brief investigation, the officer cruised around the local streets looking for the suspect vehicle, which he allegedly found parked in from of a local residence. The 19-year-old owner of the vehicle was arrested and charged with DWI, reckless driving, failure to report an accident and open alcohol in a motor vehicle. The woman was processed and then released pending a court appearance.

During the early morning hours, Middletown Twp. Police officers responded to a report of an individual slumped over the steering wheel of a parked car. Arriving on the scene, the officers found a 41-year-old Hazlet, NJ, man in the driver’s seat. Police reports indicate that the suspect had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. The driver was subsequently arrested and charged with DWI, refusal to submit to a breathalyzer, driving under a suspended license and reckless driving. The man was processed and later released pending a mandatory court appearance.
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