Study Finds Drunk Driving Among Veterans is on the Rise

DWI charges can have negative and long-lasting consequences for a person’s life. Too many people charged with drunk driving assume that they will be convicted but this is not always not the case. If you have been charged with or arrested for drunk driving, our highly reputable New Jersey DWI attorneys have the experience to help you in your criminal case. Our team will make every effort to have your charges reduced or dismissed and save your criminal record from any blemishes.

The Study

According to a recent study by American Addiction Centers, drunk driving and binge drinking among American veterans has drastically risen in recent years. Using figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the study revealed that since 2013, the numbers of veterans who have been identified with incidents of binge drinking has gone up from 14 percent to almost 16 percent. In addition, the percentage of US veterans who engaged in drunk drinking has risen from 1.6 percent in 2014 to 2.5 percent – a nearly 60 percent spike. The rates of drunk driving were significantly higher for male veterans than women. The data shows that New Jersey was not in the top 10 or bottom 10 when it came to the rates of veteran drunk driving in 2016.

Being Charged with a DWI

In all drunk driving cases, the prosecution bears the burden of proving that the defendant was intoxicated beyond a reasonable doubt. This requires showing that the defendant had a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or above. The use of a breath test is by far the most common way of establishing that a person was driving under the influence. Other ways to show intoxication include testing a person’s blood or urine. In some cases, the results of a field sobriety test are used to make an arrest and generate evidence for a drunk driving prosecution.

Fighting a DWI Charge

We know veterans face a variety of unique challenges that can make day-to-day life harder. In some cases, a veteran may be pulled over for drunk driving when, in fact, there is another explanation for the way he or she is driving. Police officers often make mistakes when gathering evidence – they make illegal stops, Alcotest machines malfunction and technical errors take place. We will examine the circumstances around your arrest and highlight any police errors or misconduct to help get your charges reduced or dismissed.

Skilled New Jersey DWI Attorney

A DWI charge can greatly affect your life in many different ways, which is why this type of charge should never be taken lightly. If you are arrested for driving while intoxicated in New Jersey, you need a trusted legal advocate on your side. This is especially true if it is a second or third offense. Regardless of the circumstances of your arrest, we will examine the facts of your case and help protect your rights throughout the entire legal process. Our goal is to obtain the best possible outcome in your case. For a free consultation, please call us today at 877-450.8301 or contact us online.

More Blog Posts:

More than 20,000 NJ DWI Convictions Could be Tossed Out

Bar Serving Alcohol Settles Case After Fatal New Jersey DWI Crash

Contact Information