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August 3, 2012

Bergen County College Students Receive Lecture on Distracted Driving, DUI from Local Police

Apparently law enforcement authorities and safety advocates here in the Garden State feel that residents, namely young adult motorists, just don’t get it. In this case, the “It” being addressed is driving under the influence of beer, wine, hard liquor, prescription medication and even illicit or illegal substances.

As New Jersey DWI defense attorneys, we have a good feel for the sheer volume of drunken driving arrests that occur annually in Jersey; we know this because of the number of cases that pass through our courts each and every month. While most people should know that driving while intoxicated by liquor or drugs (drug DUI) is against the law, law enforcement and other anti-drunken-driving groups keep hammering the point home: DWI and DUI are strictly against the law.

Not surprising, when a driver is observed by police operating his vehicle in violation of current traffic laws, he will likely be pulled over. If it comes to light during that traffic stop that the driver has been drinking, the gloves really come off and that motorist could be hit with a summons for DWI (or drug DUI, in the case of doctor-prescribed meds). Still, with all the public service messages and increased police patrols during holidays, apparently many individuals haven’t caught on.
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August 1, 2012

Monmouth County Drunken Drivng Arrests: Aberdeen Twp. Police Charge Multiple Drivers with DWI

by Jonathan F. Marshall

As any driver in the Garden State likely knows, the state police and local law enforcement officers are on a constant vigil, looking out for impaired motorists. And, while the law says a patrolman cannot pull a vehicle over simply on a hunch that the driver may be intoxicated by beer, wine, doctor-prescribed meds or even marijuana or cocaine, an officer can stop a motorist if he or she violates any one of a number of traffic laws. In the end, if a police officer sees a car being driving in an erratic manner and can justify the traffic stop with a moving violation, a drunken driving arrest may not be far away.

As mentioned previously, intoxicated or impaired driving can range from operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, prescription medication or illicit drugs also known as controlled dangerous substances (CDS, for short). Although alcohol and prescription medications are not strictly illegal to consume or ingest, the law limits their use when operating a car, truck or other motor vehicle. In many cases, any impairment due to these substances while driving is grounds for arrest. Several steps later and one could find themselves on the receiving end of a DWI or drug DUI conviction.

As New Jersey drunk driving defense attorneys, I and my colleagues know that in a state as densely packed as ours that incidences of drunken driving, not to mention other traffic offenses, will most probably be higher than other locations. From this, it’s not surprising that Jersey drivers get more than their fair share of DWI arrests, summonses and convictions. This includes being charged with multiple DWI offenses and even something as seemingly minor (yet fully chargeable) as breath-test refusal.
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July 28, 2012

Why Complicate a DWI Charge? Running from the Police is Never a Wise Choice

by Jonathan F. Marshall

For the umpteenth time — and if we’ve said it once, we’ve certainly said it a hundred times before: once a motorist is being pulled over or even in the process of being stopped for a traffic offense, any thought of fleeing the arresting officer or otherwise leaving the scene is a foolhardy and potentially damaging gesture. Radios have been around for more than one hundred years and no car yet made can outrun a police transceiver. Of course, we say this somewhat in jest, but the fact remains that running from the police can only serve to compound one’s troubles later at the inevitable court hearing.

As New Jersey DWI and drug DUI defense attorneys, I and my expert staff of criminal and civil defense lawyers understand the laws of this state and the consequences of flouting those laws. While it’s never a good situation to be charged with driving under the influence of beer or wine, prescription meds or even weed, trying to elude a police officer as a result of a routine traffic stop could most certainly be more trouble than it’s worth.

What prompts us to pass along this information is a news article about a Sussex County motorist who apparently felt it was necessary to flee from Sparta Township police during an early morning police patrol along a stretch of Woodport Rd. According to the news report, the officer in charge observed a vehicle traveling in excess of the local speed limit; the suspect’s Acura was reportedly clocked on radar doing more than 70mph in a 40 zone. The patrolman gave chase, but the driver apparently did not yield and kept driving away.
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July 26, 2012

Union and Bergen County Police Blotters: DWI, DUI Arrests and Drunk Driving-related Accidents

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Here in the Garden State, we have the most densely populated areas in the entire country. As such, it can be expected that the frequency of criminal and civil offenses will be that much more concentrated. Whether one believes that drunken driving continues to be a problem in counties such as Ocean, Sussex, Bergen and Hudson, local and state law enforcement authorities are on a more or less constant alert to motorists who are possibly operating a motor vehicle while under the influence.

Impaired driving can encompass a range of activities, from driving while intoxicated by alcohol (such as beer, wine or hard liquor), operating a car or truck while impaired by a doctor-prescribed medication or pain killer, such as valium or oxycontin, or even an illicit drug like cocaine or marijuana. While alcohol and prescription medications are not illegal per se, their effect on a driver’s ability to control his or her vehicle can result in a chargeable offense. But, unlike these former two, illegal drugs (also known as controlled dangerous substances [CDS]) bring with them not only the potential for a traffic-related offense, but also the possibility of criminal charges as well.

The following news items are just a brief example of the types of arrest that take place every day in this state. As New Jersey DWI defense lawyers, my firm is committed to representing those individuals who believe themselves to have been falsely accused of drunk driving or drug DUI.
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July 23, 2012

Sussex County Police Make Arrests for Drunken Driving as well as Marijuana Possession

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Police blotters all around the Garden State paint a picture of the typical arrests that take place on a daily basis across this state. Whether in Passaic, Bergen, Atlantic or Ocean County, drunken driving charges are quite often on the menu for many motorists up and down the interstates and local roadways. For anyone who has ever wondered if they were the only one to receive a summons for driving under the influence of alcohol, prescription drugs or even illicit drugs like marijuana or cocaine, understand that you are not alone.

As New Jersey DWI defense lawyers, I and my legal staff firmly believe that every person accused of DWI or drug DUI has a right to have their day in court. We have represented numerous individuals who adamantly believed that they were innocent of the charges. As defense attorneys, our job is to fight for our clients in a court of law. While the circumstances may vary, the charges are usually quite similar. Our defense strategy, of course, depends on the particular details of the case and whether the accused has had any previous drunken driving convictions.

The following is a collection of impaired driving arrests from several municipalities in Sussex County not long ago. Those arrested and charged may or may not end up being convicted, but the stage has been set for each of them once the police have reasonable suspicion that the driver may have been operating his or her vehicle while intoxicated by beer, wine or doctor-prescribed medicine.
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July 21, 2012

New Jersey State Trooper Arrested for Drunken Driving Out-of-State Suspended Without Pay

by Jonathan F. Marshall

As a New Jersey drunken driving defense attorney and former municipal prosecutor, I have met dozens of police and public safety officers throughout my career as a litigator. In my capacity as both defense lawyer and prosecuting attorney, I know very well the efforts put forth by representatives of our state and local police agencies. I also have a great respect for those individuals who on a daily basis put their lives one the line for the rest of society.

And, while I believe I understand the stresses experienced by many in the law enforcement community, I find it difficult to reconcile those instances when a patrolman steps over the line and breaks the laws that he himself has sworn to uphold. A recent new story about a Garden State police trooper brought this to mind recently, if only to point out that even policemen and other officers of the court should be held accountable for DWI violations, just as any other citizen is required to do.

Most people would probably agree that there is never a good excuse for anyone in law enforcement to knowingly drive drunk. Whether by the use of alcohol or doctor-prescribed medication, an officer of the court should be held to at least the standard that other residents must adhere. As DWI defense lawyers, we have very little tolerance for those of authority who fail to observe the laws that they have been entrusted to enforce. In regard to the news article in question, according to reports a NJ State Police trooper assigned to Capitol security was suspended not long ago following a drunken driving arrest in the state of Missouri.
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July 18, 2012

Police Arrest New Jersey Driver for 4th DUI/DWI Arrest in the Span of One Month

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Some people apparently do not realize when enough is enough. As New Jersey DWI defense attorneys, I and my staff of experienced drunken driving lawyers are committed to representing individuals who have been accused of driving while intoxicated, either by alcohol or prescription drugs. But even though we believe that every person deserves their day in court, we certainly do not espouse drinking and driving, or even suggest that repeat offending is the way to go through life.

Not only is driving under the influence against the law, but it is dangerous when a driver is impaired beyond the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. The same can be said for doctor-prescribed medications as well; and even illicit substances, such as cocaine and marijuana. While some may disagree with the laws of this state, the fact is that law enforcement officers are tasked with rooting out those who they believe have broken the law and to bring those individuals to justice. For ourselves, we bring the fight to a court of law when a client believes he or she was unjustly accused of DWI or drug DUI.

There are those people who sometimes push the limits of the court’s patience. Being arrested multiple times for drunk driving is a way of one’s defense slightly more difficult. As attorneys representing defendants who have been charged with DWI or DUI, we know that putting the best face on a situation can be difficult once a track record of offenses has been established. For this reason along we suggest prudence to anyone who has already been convicted of drunken driving one or more times. But then again, most individuals know the stakes are high.
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July 17, 2012

Our New Holmdel DWI Lawyers Website

by Jonathan F. Marshall

For those who are acquainted with this blog, you will recall that we handle a considerable number of DWI cases in Holmdel New Jersey. This probably should come as no surprise in view of the fact that we have been practicing drunk driving defense in Monmouth County for several decades. In fact, our staff has over 100 years of collective experience in this area of law, including years serving as municipal prosecutors. Thomas Campo was even the prosecutor of the Holmdel Municipal Court. John Marshall, the founder of the firm, was also the municipal prosecutor of the adjacent towns of Hazlet and Matawan. We obviously know the terrain very well in this area.

The new website is titled Holmdel DWI Lawyers and we believe it is the most comprehensive destination for information on this subject. There is valuable discussion of the DWI law, refusal, driving while under the influence of drugs, as well as penalties for driving while intoxicated (e.g. first, second and third offense). If you are in need of information concerning a Holmdel NJ drunk driving arrest, the site is intended to assist you. We hope you find it informative.

July 7, 2012

Arrested for Drug DUI or Marijuana Possession in a Motor Vehicle? Consider Your Options

by Jonathan F. Marshall

With more than 40 years of collective litigation experience defending clients for such offenses as marijuana possession, driving while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, breath test refusal and drug DUI, my firm has the skills and experience to work in our clients’ best interests. Whether one lives in Bergen, Passaic, Ocean or Atlantic County, the law treats motorists the same when it comes to DWI/DUI offenses.

As a former Garden State municipal prosecutor, I myself have handled hundreds of similar cases for the state; for this reason alone, I and my legal staff understand the strategies used by state and local prosecutor’s officers to obtain convictions for drunken driving and drug DUI, among others. The attorney’s in my office routinely address courts throughout the state, representing clients who have been accused of possession, use and other cannabis-related offenses. No matter if a person is charged with marijuana possession, intent to distribute weed, or other marijuana associated offenses, we believe that everyone has the right to face their accusers and defend themselves in a court of law.

It has become abundantly clear over the years that marijuana is one of the most frequently used drugs out there. As a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), weed, Mary Jane, or whatever one chooses to call it, is obviously the most common drug we as drug DUI lawyers have encountered during our careers. With marijuana arrests almost as commonplace as those for DWI, it should not come as a surprise to learn that more than $30 billion of this illicit drug is grown in the U.S. annually.
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July 5, 2012

DWI Police Blotter: Union County Patrolmen Arrest Drivers for DWI and Marijuana Possession

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Whatever the situation; be it a routine traffic stop that results in a DWI arrest, a drunken driving summons received at a sobriety checkpoint, or a breath test refusal charge following a drunk driving stop in the city, there is no reason whatsoever for not consulting a qualified New Jersey DWI defense attorney. The fact is, the state has law enforcement to arrest motorists and prosecutors to prove guilt. At the very least, drivers who are accused of driving under the influence of alcohol or prescription drugs should take advantage of the experience of a DWI lawyer who knows the law.

Here in the Garden State, I and my staff of knowledgeable attorneys understand how a conviction for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated can affect a person’s life going forward. Not only are there stiff monetary penalties, but also jail time for some offenders, as well as other consequences such as loss of driving privileges. The following items pulled from local news briefs show the many and varied situations that can lead to a DWI arrest.

Cranford Police Arrests
Officers pulled a Cadillac over along a stretch of South Ave. near Meeker following an illegal passing maneuver. During the roadside traffic stop, patrolmen apparently found evidence of weed on the driver’s person. The 21-year-old Orange County resident was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana (less than 50g) as well as possession CDS (controlled dangerous substance) paraphernalia and improper passing. The suspect was subsequently released pending an appearance in municipal court.
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