New Jersey DWI Lawyer Blog
If you have been charged with driving under the influence of drugs, obtaining legal counsel early could potentially help you avoid thousands of dollars in fines, and even jail time. Our highly skilled New Jersey DWI attorneys will meticulously analyze the circumstances of your case so we build the strongest defense possible.
You have probably heard of the “Drive Sober, Get Pulled Over” campaign in New Jersey but the state has now launched another campaign. The National Highway Traffic Safety Transportation added this component to its campaign to run through Labor Day weekend – a time when drunk driving accidents typically spike. The new message read as follows “When you feel different, you drive different. If you drive high, you get a DUI.”
In New Jersey, almost one-third of traffic related fatalities in the state involve alcohol impairment. With the possible legalization of marijuana, coupled with increasing drug DWI rate in the state, the campaign aims to alert the public about the consequences of driving under the influence–and perhaps for good reason, since drugged driving rates appear to be on the rise across the country. According to one National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s National Roadside Survey, more than 22 percent of drivers tested positive for illegal, over-the-counter or prescription drugs.
New Jersey law prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In fact, under New Jersey Statute 39:4-50, individuals are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle under the influence of “any narcotic, hallucinogenic or habit-producing drug.” This applies to any drug that could impair a person’s ability to drive safely, including prescription or over-the-counter drugs.
The consequences of a drug DWI and an alcohol DWI are largely the same. The main difference between the two is the way in which law enforcement tests for intoxication. There is no standard test to measure for drugs the way there is for alcohol through a Breathalyzer, which measures a person’s blood alcohol content.
Many people, however, are incorrectly or unfairly charged with drug DWIs. We will make sure that we identify and build on any defense that may be relevant to your case. In some cases, there may be an explanation besides the use of drugs for the driver’s behavior. For example, you may not have taken a drug and gotten behind the wheel, you may simply have been tired or under a lot of stress. In other cases, your charge may be reduced or dropped if any of your rights were violated during the arrest or any time thereafter. For example, the police stop may have been illegal or the police may have failed to inform you of your Miranda rights.
If you have been convicted of a drug DWI, you could face a multitude of serious penalties. Do not let it get to that point. If you have been charged with a drug DWI, it is imperative to consult a seasoned New Jersey DWI attorney who can help. At our firm, we understand the nuances of this are of law and will protect your rights every step of the way. For a free case review, call us at 877-450.8301 or contact us online.
More Blog Posts:
Three New Jersey Cities Make Allstate’s Annual Safest Driving Cities List
Dead Drivers Tested Positive for Drugs More Often than Alcohol In New Jersey, AAA Reports