Articles Posted in DWI News

If you or someone you know was arrested for drunk driving, you need to reach out to a skilled New Jersey DWI defense attorney who can help. At our firm, we are dedicated to making sure each client’s case gets the personal attention it deserves. You can rest assured that our goal is to have your charges dropped or dismissed. We can examine your case and help determine an appropriate legal strategy for this.

In New Jersey, the offense of driving while intoxicated (DWI) consists of driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. A DWI offense is not limited to alcohol. To the contrary, being under the influence of drugs can give rise to a DWI as well. New Jersey law prohibits persons from getting behind the wheel while under the influence of “any narcotic, hallucinogenic or habit-producing drug.” These include illegal drugs, over-the-counter medications, and prescription medications.

Statistically speaking, drivers have a higher chance of getting their DWI case dismissed compared to a decade ago. DWI conviction rates are generally high in New Jersey. In 2008, 85 percent of individuals were found guilty of their DWI charges and were required to accept license suspensions, hefty fines, and more. According to the state judiciary, that rate has decreased to 71 percent over the last 10 years. Additionally, the percentage of DWI charges that were dismissed has more than doubled to 24 percent in 2017.

While many drunk driving accidents involve other vehicles, a number of these accidents are single-vehicle crashes. If you or someone close to you has been arrested for a DWI after a single-vehicle accident, you need to contact a seasoned New Jersey DWI defense attorney who knows how to get results. DWI laws are tough, and the penalties for a conviction are severe. With many years of experience, you can trust that we understand how to protect your rights.

In New Jersey, the basic offense of a DWI consists of driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher. If you are under the age of 21, you can be prosecuted for driving while intoxicated (DWI) if you have a BAC of 0.01 percent or higher. Drivers over the appropriate limit will be considered to be driving while intoxicated.

A single-vehicle accident is a type of motor vehicle accident in which only one vehicle is involved. The unfortunate reality is that single-car accidents are more common than you may think. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that approximately 55 percent of motor vehicle deaths in 2016 took place in single-vehicle accidents. It is important to note that in New Jersey, an individual can be charged for a DWI in a single-vehicle crash.

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Anyone charged with a DWI offense should understand the seriousness of the charge by seeking the help and guidance of a seasoned New Jersey DWI attorney. At our firm, we have defended many clients in their DWI cases and can defend you as well. With years of experience, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients at every step of the way.

A New Jersey state trooper’s failure to follow a step in the Alcotest calibration process has raised issues about the validity of subsequent breath test results. In a comprehensive report released by the state judiciary, retired Judge Joseph Lisa stated the improper conduct of a state trooper possibly undermined DWI convictions over an eight-year time frame. The findings could result in over 20,000 drunk driving cases being tossed out.

Last year, our blog covered the story about Sgt. Marc Dennis potentially improperly calibrating Alcotest devices. Shortly thereafter, Judge Lisa was appointed by the state Supreme Court to conduct hearings on cases handled by Dennis, a coordinator in the State Police Alcohol Drug Testing Unit, whose job entailed testing the accuracy of breath-test devices used by New Jersey Police. In 2016, it was alleged that Dennis lied on official documents about performing a legally required temperature check while calibrating three Alcotest devices, which are designed to measure the blood-alcohol level of allegedly intoxicated drivers.

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An underage DWI should never be taken lightly, since it can negatively affect your future in many ways, including your college and employment opportunities. Our skilled New Jersey DWI attorneys can help, whether it is your first DWI or a subsequent charge. Our firm has the resources, knowledge, and experience to handle your case. We have a thorough understanding of what it takes to make a DWI charge stick and what you need to do to defeat it.

According to a new study released by the Colorado State University, about 33 percent of recent high school graduates across the country reported to riding in a car with an impaired driver at least once in the previous year. The study revealed that young adults are more likely to ride with a driver impaired by marijuana than a driver impaired by alcohol.

The study, published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol & Drugs, analyzed data collected in 2013-2014 in two annual surveys, each of which included more than 2,000 young people one or two years after they graduated from high school. According to the study, the impaired driver was more likely to be a peer than an older adult, which is alarming because young impaired drivers are 17 times more likely than adults to die in a crash when their BAC is over the legal limit.

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If you have been charged with a DWI, you need to contact a skilled New Jersey DWI attorney as soon as possible. A DWI conviction can have serious and long-term detrimental consequences for almost every aspect of your life. With meticulous attention to detail, we can offer strong representation against DWI charges.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently released a study that reveals interlocking systems prevent drunk driving in all types of drivers. In other words, laws under which impaired driving offenders are required to install alcohol interlocks in their vehicles have reduced the number of drunk drivers across the country by 16 percent.

Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. In 2016, about 10,500 individuals were killed in drunk driving crashes. In New Jersey, the basic offense of a DWI consists of driving with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher. You should be aware that a DWI charge is not just limited to alcohol. Any drugs – prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal – that impair a person’s ability to drive safely can form the basis of a DWI. A DWI conviction can subject you to serious penalties, including fines, fees, license suspension, ignition interlock device, community service, and even jail time.

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If you have been accused of leaving the scene of an accident in order to evade blood alcohol testing or for any other reason, you can be charged with the criminal offense of leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries. If you have been charged with such an offense, you need to consult a skilled New Jersey traffic violation attorney who can help. With years of experience, we understand how to navigate these cases while protecting your rights at every step of the way.

According to statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 30 percent of all deadly car crashes are directly caused by alcohol-impaired drivers, and more than 10 percent of accidents reported by law enforcement officials are hit and runs. Unfortunately, these accidents are also common in New Jersey.

Recently, a 34-year-old New Jersey man who was drunk when he struck and killed a Rutgers-Newark graduate in a hit and run accident last year has been sentenced to eight years in prison. The defendant will not be eligible for parole until he has served at least 85 percent of the sentence. He was driving on the wrong side of the road and excessively speeding. He pleaded guilty to second-degree vehicle manslaughter and drunk driving in the collision that killed the 23-year-old victim, who was thrown into a parked car upon impact. Unfortunately, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

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A DWI charge is a very serious matter that can affect your family and you for the rest of your lives. If you have been charged with a DWI, perhaps the most important decision you will make will be the attorney and law firm you hire to represent you. With years of experience, our diligent New Jersey DWI attorneys understand how to navigate complex DWI cases. We are committed to providing professional and detail-oriented representation at every step of the way.

Earlier this month, a New Jersey woman was arrested and charged after her car ended up on train tracks in Weehawken. The incident took place at around 3 a.m. when Port Authority Police received a phone call about a car stopped on the light rail tracks near the Lincoln Tunnel. When police arrived at the scene, they gave the 37-year-old woman an alcohol test through a Breathalyzer test, and she failed. She was then charged with DWI and reckless driving. The car was impounded, and New Jersey transit deemed the tracks safe.

Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is an offense committed when a driver operates a motor vehicle after the consumption of alcohol or drugs. An increased alcohol level in the driver’s blood significantly increases the risk of the driver committing errors in judgment and also increases a driver’s reaction time. In New Jersey, just as in other U.S. states, drunk driving is a primary cause of motor vehicle-related fatalities.

In New Jersey, the basic offense of driving while intoxicated (DWI) consists of operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. If you have been arrested for a DWI in New Jersey, you need to consult a seasoned New Jersey DWI attorney as soon as possible. A DWI charge or conviction may lead to a number of serious consequences. You may lose your driver’s license, face hefty fines, and even go to jail. Not just that, but your professional and personal reputation may suffer as well. With many years of experience, you can trust that we will make every effort to protect your rights throughout the entire legal process.

Last month, a New Jersey judge launched into a profanity-laced tirade against two New Jersey state troopers during a traffic stop. According to the complaint, two troopers spotted the judge’s vehicle pulled over and parked on the shoulder of the highway. The judge was asleep at the wheel in the front street. When troopers woke him up, they smelled alcohol and noticed the judge’s eyes were bloodshot. However, the judge denied drinking any alcohol or taking any drugs prior to the stop.

Officers then decided to conduct a field sobriety test, at which point the judge informed troopers of his position. The troopers continued the test and arrested the judge for a DWI. The judge was ultimately found not guilty of the DWI charge but is now facing an ethics investigation for citing his position as a judge during the traffic stop. The incident highlights how no one is exempt from New Jersey DWI laws.

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A DWI conviction can be an ugly stain on your record that can negatively impact many aspects of your life. If you have been charged with a DWI, you need to contact a skilled New Jersey DWI attorney who can help. We will examine the facts of your case and make every effort to protect your rights. You can rest assured that our team has the credentials and knowledge base to defend you against DWI charges.

Drivers who fall asleep behind the wheel are causing more crashes and are as dangerous as drunk drivers, according to a new AAA study. The study tracked more than 3,500 people for several months. The foundation used on-board cameras in vehicles of volunteers to watch their actions as they went about their daily driving routines. What they found was an accident rate by drowsy drivers eight times greater than previously thought.

About 10 percent of crashes a year are due a to drowsy driver, compared to the one to two percent that federal agencies blame on sleepy drivers, the study said. The study is significant because it is the most in-depth study ever conducted on U.S. drivers.

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If you or someone close to you has been charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI), you need a seasoned New Jersey DWI defense lawyer on your side. These charges can have serious consequences for your life, so it is important to act quickly after your arrest. For many years, our firm has been committed to providing vigorous legal representation, and you can rest assured that we will help protect your rights at every step of the way. We are here to answer your questions and address your concerns.

New York Assemblyman Feliz Ortiz re-introduced a bill that, if passed, would decrease the state’s legal blood alcohol content (BAC) from .08 percent to .05 percent. Part of the reasoning for the bill comes from a recent study released earlier this year by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine that calls for lowering the BAC threshold because the committee behind the report found that an individual’s ability to operate a motor vehicle starts to deteriorate at low levels of BAC, increasing a person’s risk of being in a crash. In addition, the study found that in countries in which the blood alcohol content levels were decreased to .05 percent, such as Austria, Denmark, and Japan, the laws produced an effective result.

Currently, in all 50 states, drivers age 21 and older are prohibited from driving with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher. New Jersey is no exception. In New Jersey, driving while intoxicated (DWI) consists of driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher for regular drivers, 0.05 percent for commercial drivers, and 0.01 percent for drivers under the age of 21. In the vast majority of cases, law enforcement will determine whether a driver is under the influence by administering a simple breathalyzer test, although there are other tests that can be used as well, such as field sobriety tests and blood tests.

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