Motorcycles can be a great way to enjoy the open roads. Motorcycle riders, however, should be especially careful on the roads, due to the high risk of injury associated with accidents. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. Each year, many motorcyclists are arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI). If this has happened to you or someone close to you, it is imperative to reach out to a skilled New Jersey DWI attorney who can help you understand your rights.
Under New Jersey law, an individual who wants to ride a motorcycle must obtain either a motorcycle-only license or a motorcycle endorsement to his or her current driver’s license. This can be done in one of two ways. A person can complete a Motorcycle Safety Education Basic Rider Course or obtain a motorcycle permit and take a road test. Anyone under the age of 18 must complete the former option, which means he or she must complete the safety course.
Motorcycle riders are subject to the same traffic laws as any other motorist on the road. As a result, motorcyclists must adhere to all of the speed limits, road signs, and DWI laws. In New Jersey, a person with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or greater who operates a motor vehicle is considered to be driving while intoxicated.
Being convicted of a DWI is a serious matter. A DWI conviction carries serious penalties, such as license suspension or revocation, significant fines, probation, community service, the use of an ignition interlock device, and even jail time. It is important to note that multiple DWI convictions lead to harsher penalties. The prosecutor in motorcycle DWI cases will use the same type of evidence that is used in other DWI cases, including the results of chemical tests, field sobriety tests, and information about why the officer initially pulled the driver over in the first place.
It is important to note that DWI cases rely heavily on the facts. We will thoroughly investigate what happened in your case to make sure that police officers followed proper protocols and procedures at the time they pulled you over and made the arrest.
In addition, there may be defenses that are relevant in your DWI case. For example, the police officer may have pulled you over because you were drifting or were unsteady while making a turn. This is typically considered a sign of intoxication. However, your turn may have been wobbly because you are unfamiliar with the terrain in that area. There may be other behavior in your case that the police associated with drunk driving, but you may be able to offer an explanation or evidence to highlight that you were not in fact under the influence.
Motorcyclists convicted of a DWI face the same penalties as a drunk driver behind the wheel of a car. If you or someone close to you has been charged with riding a motorcycle under the influence of alcohol, you should speak to an experienced New Jersey DWI attorney who can assess the merits of your case. You can rest assured that we understand how to navigate this area of the law. For more information, feel free to call us at 877-450-8301 or contact us online.
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