New Jersey DWI Lawyer Blog
Making the decision to fight DWI or drug DUI charges in the Garden State can be fraught with much anxiety and many questions. As experienced trial lawyers, my colleagues and I have defended hundreds of people over the years against all manner of civil and criminal charges. Every month we meet with dozens of New Jersey motorists who have been accused of intoxicated or drug-impaired driving, with the intent to have those charges reduced or dropped altogether. We know that the trepidation many people feel walking into a courtroom is completely normal, but it should not prevent you from fighting for your rights.
As Bergen County DWI-DUI attorneys, we believe that taking a proactive approach to protecting your legal rights can pay off in the end. My legal team here at the Law Offices of John F. Marshall, is highly regarded throughout the state of New Jersey, not only because of our seasoned and expert defense attorneys, but also because of the results that we obtain year in and year out. When we prepare a client’s defense case, we endeavor to exhaust every avenue while thoroughly investigating the details of the arrest, as well as presenting a comprehensive legal strategy as a challenge to the prosecution’s evidence.
It goes without saying that law enforcement agencies throughout New Jersey have a dim view of motorists suspected of DWI or drug DUI. Similarly, our state’s drunk driving laws provide for some very harsh penalties for those drivers who are found guilty of violating the DWI-DUI legal statutes. Quite simply, a motorist is considered to have been driving under the influence in New Jersey if his or her blood-alcohol concentration (or BAC) is 0.08 percent or more. Penalties associated with DWI-DUI are also based on the BAC measurement determined at the time of the arrest.
Furthermore, because of New Jersey’s implied consent laws, any licensed driver who chooses not to submit to a breath — to determine their level of intoxication — may be opening themselves to a direct blood test, or certainly a charge of breath test refusal, which comes with its own set of penalties not unlike those associated with a full-blown conviction for drunken driving arising from BAC evidence.
Many state and local law enforcement agencies across New Jersey employ DWI-DUI checkpoints as a way to enforce DUI laws, as well as deter potential drunk drivers. These checkpoints are erected in predetermined areas (which, by law, must have a history of DWI arrests) and are used to weed out those motorists who may be under the influence of alcohol, prescription medication, or illicit drugs.
My law firm is dedicated to assisting individuals who have been accused of drunk driving, drug-related impaired vehicle operation, or other drug- or alcohol-related traffic offenses. In addition, my legal staff is very familiar with the legal statutes pertaining to underage DWI and underage alcohol possession. My colleagues have nearly 100 years of civil and criminal litigation experience. We are ready, willing and able to take on a range of cases involving driving under the influence of beer, wine or hard liquor, as well as impaired driving resulting from the use of marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines or other controlled dangerous substance (CDS).
For anyone who has been arrested and charged with DWI or DUI, my staff is prepared to meet face-to-face and discuss the details of your case. We can answer your questions regarding the circumstances of your arrest, the legalities surrounding the traffic stop that may have led to an arrest for drunken driving, and any other important elements of your specific case. Whether you have been pulled over for a minor traffic violation or arrested following an alleged DUI-related traffic accident, there is no reason not to consult with a qualified legal expert. Call today to learn more about your rights under the law.