Police agencies from around New Jersey are preparing to set up for the state’s largest annual drunk driving campaign. The 2017 “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Statewide Labor Day Crackdown will last until September 4. During this time, local and state police officers will carry out sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols targeting drivers who may be driving while intoxicated (DWI). If you have been arrested or charged with a DWI in New Jersey, you should reach out to a seasoned New Jersey DWI attorney who can assess the merits of your case.
The basic offense of a DWI in New Jersey takes place when a person operates a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. In other words, if you get behind the wheel with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher, you are considered to be driving under the influence. A person who holds a commercial driver’s license is held to a much higher standard as a professional driver. These drivers will be driving while intoxicated if their BAC is 0.04 percent or higher. Drivers under the age of 21 will be considered to be legally impaired if their BAC is 0.02 percent or higher.
Labor Day is one of the many holiday weekends that see a significant surge in drunk driving accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that more than 750 people died in drunk driving crashes during Labor Day weekend from 2010 to 2014. Evidence suggests that high-visibility enforcement, such as sobriety checkpoints, can reduce drunk driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent.
Sobriety checkpoints are police traffic stops that are not tied to any specific or individual suspicions. While law enforcement is legally allowed to establish checkpoints, they must follow certain constitutional guidelines. The police are not permitted to make a roadblock at anywhere at any time on whim. Instead, there must be a sufficient justification for the roadblock, and prior notice must be given to the public. In addition, the checkpoints must be temporary. If these conditions are not met, any evidence gathered during the DWI stop may be inadmissible in court, which could ultimately lead to the dismissal of the DWI charge.
When a person is stopped at a sobriety checkpoint, drivers are detained for a short period of time and interviewed, after which suspicious drivers are subject to sobriety tests. The idea of these checkpoints is to do a quick scan for drunk drivers and keep the roads safe.
A DWI conviction can adversely affect almost every aspect of your life. If you or someone close to you has been arrested for a DWI, you need to reach out to a skilled New Jersey DWI attorney as soon as possible. These charges are serious and should not be taken lightly. DWI cases are complex, and having the right attorney on your side can make all the difference in your case. To discuss your legal rights and options, do not hesitate to call us at 877-450-8301 or reach out to us online.
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