Marijuana DUI

June 26, 2010

Union County, New Jersey, DWI Police Blotter: Cranford Drunk Driving and Drug DUI Arrests

Marijuana and Drug Possession in a Vehicle

While not an instance of drug DUI, an Elizabeth, NJ, man was arrested on a Sunday evening after being stopped for driving with an obstructed view Law enforcement officers will usually use a common traffic infraction, such as incorrect lane change or inoperative brake light, to initiate a traffic stop that might result in a further drunken driving or prescription drug DUI arrest. In this particular case, the officer charged the driver with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia including a hypodermic needle, and possession of suspected Oxycodone. The man was also served with summons for operating a motor vehicle with an obstructed view, driving under a suspended driver’s license, not to mention possession of a controlled and dangerous substance (CDS) in a motor vehicle.

Drunken Driving Arrest following Accident

April 14, 2010

NJ Drug DUI News: Morris County Police Arrest Driver on Possible Marijuana, Cocaine CDS DUI Charges

by Jonathan F. Marshall

As a New Jersey drunk driving defense attorney, I understand how alcohol — beer, wine, hard liquor and other adult beverages — remains the so-called legal drug of choice for most people. Other illicit drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, meth and illegally procured prescription medications are the other side of the coin.

Regardless of the type, society, the courts and the police have made it clear than any substance that impairs motor skills when driving is deemed a threat to the public’s safety. That is why we have DWI laws and drug DUI statutes as well. Being stopped by the cops for driving while intoxicated, whether due to home-brewed ale or home-grown weed will likely get you arrested.

Having a qualified drunk driving attorney at your side is one of the better strategies in cases such as this. A recent news story coming out of Mount Olive, NJ, illustrates the kind of arrest that happens many times over during the year. According to reports, an out-of-state motorist was pulled over for a routine traffic violation — a broken windshield and an obscured license plate.

March 28, 2010

New Jersey DWI Police Blotter: Drunk Driving and Drug DUI Arrests in Monmouth County

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Defending motorists charged with driving under the influence of alcohol is a common sight in New Jersey municipal courts. Whether a person is arrested in Monmouth, Bergen, Ocean or any number of other counties throughout the Garden State, the routine is always the same: Contact a qualified and experienced DWI defense lawyer.

Being a New Jersey drunk driving defense attorney, I have handled dozens of driving while intoxicated court cases, as well as drug DUI and breath test refusal. Regardless of where you live, being arrested for DWI or for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of illicit or prescription drugs is a serious offense not to be taken lightly. The following arrest reports illustrate the kinds of cases we typically see.

Red Bank
Five individuals were arrested over the course of 10 days for driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages. The suspects ranged in age from 21 to 60 years old. Three of the arrestees were residents of Red Bank, NJ, while the other two were from other communities; a 21-year-old man from Eatontown and 51-year-old gentleman from Rumson, New Jersey.

Asbury Park
A 41-year-old woman from Freehold was pulled over by police on Main Street for a routine traffic violation. During the traffic stop, the officer in charge apparently detected some illegal drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. Upon further inspection, the patrolman found crack cocaine on the suspect’s person. The driver was arrested and charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and motor vehicle violations.

Howell
A 32-year-old Lavallette man was pulled over on Strickland Road by police officers for what apparently was a routine traffic violation. During the stop, the police detected the scent of marijuana and found the driver in possession of less than 50 grams of the illegal herb. Police arrested the man and charged him with operating a motor vehicle in possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS).
Continue reading

March 2, 2010

NJ Drunk Driving News: New Jersey Man on Trial for Fatal 2008 Drug DWI Accident

by Jonathan F. Marshall

As New Jersey DWI defense lawyer who defends clients arrested for drunk driving, I can easily say that being charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or prescription drugs in connection with a minor traffic violation is nowhere near as serious as being arrested for an injury accident or fatal alcohol- or drug-related crash.

The state of New Jersey takes a dim view of intoxicated driving, which is why the penalties and fines associated with DWI and DUI convictions can be rather severe. Add an injury or death as a result of a drunken driving accident and the outcome of a drunk driving trial could mean a very long prison sentence.

Not long ago a jury heard the initial statement from a defendant regarding a July 2008 fatal drug-related DUI crash that left a motorcycle rider dead following a head-on wreck along Route 47. According to reports, the accident occurred on a summer afternoon when Nicholas Golden slammed into the biker as the two vehicles approached each other.

July 25, 2009

Police Blotter: Bergen County Drug DUI and DWI Arrests

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Police throughout Bergen County had a number of dunk driving and drug DUI arrests during the first half of July. With an office in Jersey City, our drunk driving defense attorneys can handle your Bergen County DWI, DUI or breath test refusal case quickly and efficiently. We represent many clients who have experienced situations not unlike the following driving while intoxicated arrests published in the local press.

Carlstadt — A 56-year-old man from Ridgefield Park allegedly passed out and hit a brand new 2009 Honda Accord parked on Sixth Street near Berry Avenue this past July 9. Police arrested the man for careless driving and also found 52.6 grams of marijuana in the suspect’s vehicle, as well as 54 tablets of Alprazolam. Discovery of the drugs caused the officers to write the man up for possessing drugs in a motor vehicle, being under the influence of drugs, possession of marijuana, or weed, and possession of drug paraphernalia, specifically rolling papers. The man was then transported to Hackensack University Medical Center.

Carlstadt — A Kearny man was stopped in the early morning hours of July 16 for speeding on southbound Route 17. During the stop, police determined that the 20-year-old man was intoxicated and allegedly had drug paraphernalia in his car. Officers then charged the man with driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of drugs in a car, careless driving, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia (plastic dime bags). He was released on summonses to a responsible party.

July 21, 2009

NJ DWI Police Blotter: Mercer and Middlesex County Drunk Driving and Drug DUI Report

by Jonathan F. Marshall

West Windsor Township — In a potential marijuana DWI traffic stop a 17-year-old Hamilton, New Jersey, resident was stopped on a Saturday night along Route 1 by police for a routine traffic offense. The teenager was found to have a small amount of the controlled substance, or weed, in his vehicle and charged with possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana. After the stop, which occurred near Emmons Drive, the man was placed under arrest and taken to police headquarters for processing. He was later released to the custody of his mother.

West Windsor Township — Two potential drug DUI arrests were also made on Route 1, just days apart. A 29-year-old Hamilton man traveling southbound was pulled over on a Sunday morning for a traffic violation near Quakerbridge Road. During the stop, officers discovered a small amount of cocaine in the car. The man was subsequently charged with possession of that controlled substance. Several days later, a 21-year-old resident of Trenton, New Jersey, was stopped in the early morning hours for a traffic infraction near Meadow Road. Following the traffic stop on the northbound side of Route 1, police found evidence of drugs and charged the man with possession of cocaine.

Plainsboro — On an early Friday morning, a Willingboro resident traveling in a 2004 Acura was stopped for doing 75mph in a 55mph zone on southbound Route 1. The 23-year-old man, who was found to be intoxicated, was charged with drunk driving, speeding, reckless driving, failure to maintain a single lane and failure to carry auto insurance. He was released pending a future court date.

July 7, 2009

Morris County, NJ, Drunk Driving News: DWI and Drug DUI Police Blotter

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Mount Olive

A 57-year-old Hackettstown woman was stopped by police last Saturday and charged with driving while intoxicated, failure to stay within her lane, and reckless driving. The drunk driving arrest occurred in Morris County, New Jersey, following a traffic stop on Oakwood Drive. The lady was released and currently has a court appearance pending.

Several potential drug DUIs recently occurred this past weekend. The first involved a 17-year-old juvenile from Long Valley, NJ, who was stopped by police for failure stay within his lane, as well as drug possession in vehicle. The stop took place on Route 46, after which the young man was released to one of his parents.

June 16, 2009

Bergen County, NJ, Drunk Driving and Marijuana DUI Police Blotter

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Lyndhurst — a 52-year-old driver was picked up for driving under the influence of alcohol during the evening of May 14. The Rutherford, New Jersey, resident was arrested for DWI, possessing an open alcoholic beverage container in his car, careless driving, as well as improper parking. The incident occurred in the parking lot at 540 New York Avenue in Lyndhurst. According to police reports, the man’s vehicle was observed parked partially in the parking lot and partially in the roadway. After being charged for drunk driving, as well as the other offenses, he released to Hackensack University Medical Center.

Lyndhurst — Hours later, during the early morning of May 15, a 41-year-old man from Milton, MA, was also arrested for driving while intoxicated, as well as refusing to submit to a breath test following a motor vehicle stop on Ridge Road near New Jersey Avenue. Prior to being released to a responsible party, the man was also charged with being an unlicensed driver, careless driving and failure to maintain a lane.

North Arlington — During a routine motor vehicle stop in the late evening of May 8, police reportedly detected the odor of burnt marijuana in a vehicle at Ilford and Prospect avenues. Police determined that both a 16-year-old male from North Arlington and the driver, a 17-year-old male from Lyndhurst, had smoked marijuana. The passenger was charged with being under the influence of marijuana and released to his parents. The driver was charged with having tinted windows, violating his provisional driver’s license for having four people in the car, DWI and being under the influence of marijuana. He was also released to his parents.

June 12, 2009

Drug DUI in New Jersey: Marijuana Possession in a Vehicle

by Jonathan F. Marshall

As a New Jersey resident, have you been issued a summons for possession of marijuana, or weed, in a motor vehicle? Or worse, been charged with drug DUI, or DWI, involving marijuana? With the likely increase in the legal use of medical marijuana in New Jersey and other states, it is conceivable that use of this drug may become more prevalent. Meanwhile, there is obviously a steady illegal trade in marijuana ongoing now throughout the Garden State. As a drug, the use of marijuana can affect a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle.

If marijuana is found in your car, the police will usually issue a summons for possession in a motor vehicle. As experienced DWI and marijuana DUI defense attorneys, we at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are fully prepared to defend you or a loved one in court. We know drunk driving and DUI law inside and out, which is why you can turn to us when faced with a driving under the influence or possession charge.

Under New Jersey law, persons are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle while knowingly in possession of marijuana. You should know that this law (N.J.S.A. 39:4-49.1) is directed at the driver of a vehicle and does not apply to the other occupants. In order to prove a violation, the state must establish several facts:

May 21, 2009

Bergen County, NJ: DWI / Marijuana DUI Arrests

by Jonathan F. Marshall

Lyndhurst — A 52-year-old New Jersey man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol last week on Thursday evening when police found the allegedly intoxicated suspect in his car, which was parked and partially blocking the roadway on New York Avenue. In addition to drunk driving, he was charged with having an open alcohol container in his vehicle, as well as careless driving. Reports stated he was released to Hackensack University Medical Center.

Lyndhurst — Early on May 15, an out-of-state man was arrested for DWI following a motor vehicle stop on Ridge Road. Police charged him with driving under the influence of alcohol after they noticed he was unable to keep his vehicle properly in his lane. The 41-year-old driver refused to submit to breath test. He was charged with not carrying a driver’s license and careless driving, then released on summonses to a responsible party.

North Arlington — Police reported a motor vehicle stop on May 8 at Ilford and Prospect avenues. Officers detected the odor of burnt marijuana and determined a 16-year-old male passenger from North Arlington and the 17-year-old male driver from Lyndhurst, had been smoking marijuana. The passenger and driver were both charged with being under the influence of marijuana. The driver was also charged with DWI and violating his provisional driver’s license for having four people in the car.