August is always a busy time for law enforcement agencies and police departments in Morris and Sussex counties. Dozens of motorists are arrested every month on charges of driving while intoxicated (DWI) or operating a vehicle under the influence of prescription or illegal drugs (DUI). Alcohol and driving don’t mix, but occasionally individuals make mistakes. When it comes to drunk driving, those mistakes can be costly, not only in monetary terms, but also in terms of the negative impact a DWI conviction can have on one’s social and work life.
As a New Jersey drunk driving defense lawyer, I have represented may clients who have made the mistake of drinking too much and getting into a vehicle. For most of them, it is the first and last time they do that. Whatever the reason, anyone who is pulled over for driving under the influence of alcohol or prescription drugs, I highly recommend that he or she seek profession legal advice from a qualified DWI defense attorney.
The following entries are typical examples of what happens when law enforcement officers encounter drivers that exhibit characteristics of drunk driving.
Morris County
In what likely was a case of underage DWI, Police were called to a Boonton Township residence on August 8 just before 3am by homeowners who were awakened by loud noises on their roof. The homeowner went outside before police arrived and saw several juveniles throwing eggs at his home. Upon seeing the homeowner, the juveniles drove off in an unidentified vehicle. When police did arrive, officers found several empty beer cans and empty egg cartons in the area.
A potential drug DUI situation reportedly involved three people parked in a vehicle in front of a vacant home on Rockaway Drive in Boonton on August 13. Police encountered the group in the late evening hours. Approaching the vehicle, Officers detected the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the car. They also saw a plastic bag containing marijuana in the rear passenger area. Police arrested the three individuals — a 20-year-old from Parsippany and two 19-year-olds, one from Morris Plains and the other from Boonton Township — and charged them with possessing less than 50 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Two marijuana pipes were also confiscated.
On August 17, a 48-year-old motorist was observed weaving in the westbound lanes of New Jersey’s Route 10 near Parsippany. Police pulled the man over for a likely DWI stop. The driver was charged with driving while intoxicated as well as careless driving, consumption of alcohol in a vehicle and having an unsealed alcoholic beverage in a vehicle.
Sussex County
A 44-year-old Hopatcong resident was driving erratically by someone who called police to report the activity just before noon on August 14. According to reports, officers located the vehicle and effected a traffic stop. Approaching the vehicle, officers saw an open container of whiskey in the car’s center console. Police cited the female motorist with driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and consumption of an alcoholic beverage in a vehicle, as well as having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle. She was subsequently released to a family member.
Police blotter, DailyRecord.com, August 20, 2009