New Jersey DWI Lawyer Blog
As a New Jersey DWI defense lawyer, my firm’s primary job is to provide comprehensive representation to drivers accused of driving under the influence of alcohol, prescription drug or controlled substances. While the act of driving while intoxicated is enough to get a motorist charged with DWI or drug DUI, compounding the offense by fleeing from or fighting with a law enforcement officer is never recommended.
A recent news article shows just what this kind of behavior will net someone. According to reports, a Jackson, NJ, man was pulled for alleged drunken and erratic driving in the early evening of October 4. Officers had observed Christopher Romano’s Toyota Corolla crossing lanes and moving erratically, according to Captain John Rein.
Police reports state that as patrolman Austin Kenny approached the car he could smell alcohol and asked Romano to step out of the vehicle. Romano then allegedly tried to lock himself in the vehicle.
When the 28-year-old driver, a resident of Liverpool Court in Jackson, would not get out for the vehicle, Kenny and Sgt. Michael Zolezi attempted to remove him from the car in order to have the suspect perform several standard field sobriety tests. During the removal, Romano reportedly became belligerent and started to kick officers.
After detaining Romano, police charged him with two counts of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, obstruction, driving while intoxicated, refusal to submit to a breathalyzer test, reckless driving, failure to maintain a lane, and possession of an open alcoholic container in a motor vehicle.
For his trouble, Romano was also placed in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River in default of $100,000 bail. If there is a lesson in any of this it would be to follow an officer’s directions and save your energy for your defense. Our team of drunk driving defense attorneys has experience with this type of case, which makes it all the more important to contact a qualified legal professional in the event you or someone you know is arrested for DWI.
Police: DUI suspect tried to lock himself in car when pulled over, CourierPostOnline.com, October 6, 2009