Arrests for drunken driving, breath test refusal and controlled/dangerous substance (CDS) DUIs in Union County, New Jersey, illustrate how common law enforcement agencies pull over and charge motorists with these offenses, here and throughout the Garden State. As New Jersey drunk driving defense attorneys, I and my colleagues make an effort to help individuals accused of these charges on a regular basis.
Driving while intoxicated either by beer, wine, hard liquor or prescription drugs (drug DUI) is a serious offense in New Jersey and looked down upon by state and local authorities. Regardless of the circumstances, every person accused of or charged with a DWI offense is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Having worked in prior years as a municipal prosecutor, I understand the procedures and techniques employed by law enforcement and the judiciary to achieve a drunk driving conviction.
The following news items from Westfield, NJ, illustrate the various types of DWI and DUI arrests that occur on a weekly basis here in Union, Middlesex, Bergen and other counties throughout the state.
A 37-year-old North Plainfield man was stopped near the intersection of South and Boulevard. Most likely the officer in charge noticed either erratic driving or some other kind of traffic violation prior to pulling the motorist over. In the process, the patrolman must have detected evidence of alcohol use by the suspect. The man was arrested and charged with DWI as a result of that traffic stop. He was taken into custody and processes before being released pending a court appearance.
Another driver, a 46-year-old resident of Scotch Plains, NJ, was pulled over in the vicinity of South and Crossway. The man was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, then taken to police headquarters, processed and released pending a court date.
A car carrying a 22-year-old from West Orange and a 19-year-old from Oraneg was pulled over by police near the intersection of Springfield and Michael Drive. During the traffic stop officers apparently detected evidence of marijuana inside the vehicle. The two suspects were arrested and charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana in a vehicle. The older of the two was also charged with possession of cocaine. Following processing the two individuals were released pending a court appearance.
Three other DWI arrests were also made by police. A vehicle driven by an 18-year-old was stopped by officers near the corner of South and Summit, after which the driver was arrested and charged with drunken driving. Later, at the corner of North Avenue and Scotch Plains a 42-year-old out-of-state driver was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Finally, a 19-year-old man from Westfield, NJ, was arrested for possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana following a routine traffic stop near the intersection of Sycamore and Boynton streets.
Police Blotter: West Orange Resident Arrested for Cocaine Possession, Patch.com, November 28, 2010