New Jersey DWI Lawyer Blog
As I’ve said here before, DWI arrests can happen anywhere, not just on a highway or city street. As a New Jersey drunk driving defense lawyer, I have represented motorists who have been accused of drinking and driving in nearly any situation imaginable. And since I have experience as a former municipal prosecutor, I have approached cases from the law enforcement side as well.
Whatever the venue, New Jersey law prohibits driving while under the influence of alcohol, prescription drug, or other substance that causes physical and mental impairment. A recent news article illustrates how anyone can get a drunk driving summons even while sitting in a parking lot.
Based on police reports, an off-duty Middle Township patrolman observed what she believed to be person under the influence of alcohol sitting in a vehicle in the Acme Plaza Shopping center in Cape May Court House, NJ. Calling the situation into the local police headquarters, she was able to wrest the keys away from the driver who was apparently attempting to flee the scene. A uniformed officer arrived who had just ended his shoft for the day responded to help.
The suspect, 51-year-old Matthew Condon of Dennis Township, NJ, was arrested on the spot for DWI. Officers transported Condon to police headquarters where he was processed and tested. The result of his blood-alcohol content (BAC) test was 0.33 percent — more than four times above the legal limit of 0.08 percent BAC.
Due to the extremely high alcohol content in Condon’s bloodstream, police transported him immediately to Cape Regional Medical Center for observation, after which he was released to a friend. According to police, Condon was charged with DWI, failure to produce vehicle registration, failure to produce vehicle insurance and careless driving.
Middle Township Police Charge Dennis Township Man With DUI, CapeMayCountyHerald.com, June 19, 2010