Drunk driving charges should never be taken lightly. In addition to a criminal conviction, this charge can lead to job loss and reputation loss as well. If you or someone you know has been charged with DWI, it is imperative that you have an experienced New Jersey DWI attorney on your side. You can rest assured that we will vigorously pursue all of the available legal options in an effort to obtain a favorable result. We are here to answer your questions and address your concerns.New Jersey’s state program “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” encourages law enforcement agencies to increase public awareness about the hazards of drunk driving. The program will be implemented this year by the Summit Police Department from August 16 to September 4.
The campaign involves highly visible enforcement in conjunction with targeted media presence. Studies show that high-visibility law enforcement can reduce alcohol-related accidents by as much as 20 percent, according to Traffic Lieutenant David L. Richel.
The campaign is run this time of year due to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data that show that Labor Day is one of the most dangerous times of year to be on the road in New Jersey, with more drunk driving accidents reported over the holiday weekend than any other time of year.
Both the U.S. and New Jersey Supreme Courts have affirmed the constitutionality of DWI checkpoints, although some states prohibit them. The rationale is that the dangers of drunk driving justify the brief intrusion. Although they are legal, DWI checkpoints must follow strict procedural requirements. New Jersey courts have held that in order for a DWI checkpoint to be legal, it must be “carefully targeted to a designated area at a specified time and place based on data justifying the site selection for reasons of public safety and reasonably efficacious or productive law enforcement goals.” Any noncompliance with this law could invalidate a subsequent arrest. We can meticulously examine the facts of your case to determine the legality of the checkpoint, as well as trying to find any procedural errors made by law enforcement that could be relevant to your defense.
It is important to note that other factors that legitimize a checkpoint include sufficient warnings about the checkpoint’s existence so that drivers knew it was happening, a supervisory authority that established the checkpoint, specific procedures used at the checkpoint that were courteous and neutral, and advanced publicity measures that were taken to deter drunk driving.
If you have been arrested for a DWI, whether it was at a checkpoint or not, you may be facing serious penalties. As a result, you need to reach out to a seasoned New Jersey DWI attorney as soon as possible. With extensive experience, we are committed to defending the rights of individuals charged with these offenses. We can investigate every aspect of your case to make sure that none of your rights were violated. Time is of the essence in these cases, so for a free consultation, call us at 877-450-8301 or contact us online.
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