Never plead guilty to driving while intoxicated in New Jersey – not now. Not after a recent complaint filed in New Jersey Superior Court has revealed the state’s widespread disregard of orders to maintain and improve its cache of breathalyzers, specifically the Alcotest 7110. The devices are simply unreliable, and authorities have used evidence collected from them to convict hundreds, if not thousands, of drivers charged with DWI in New Jersey. There has never been a stronger defense against DWI in the state then at this time, and everyone facing this charge or something similar should read on for important details. (more…)
The State of Jersey has taken a strong stance against driving under the influence (DUI). Even a first time DUI offense can carry severe penalties and fines. A DUI charge can even result in restrictions on your liberty. For a first time offense, if your BAC is 0.10% or greater there are mandatory penalties including: (more…)
How is the sentencing for DUI offenses determined?
Sentencing for driving under the influence (DUI) is largely based on two factors. The first factor is your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). A police officer is easily able to determine your BAC using a breathalyzer test. The second factor is whether this is a first time or repeat offense. (more…)
As we near the holiday season, it is important to remember that the holidays can be a happy and joyous time of year, but it’s also a time when, statistically, traffic accidents increase. The combination of inclement weather and holiday parties combine to create a perfect storm of roadway hazard. According to 2009 data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 411 car accident fatalities and 140 alcohol-related deaths during the four-day Thanksgiving holiday, 262 car accident fatalities and 967 alcohol-related deaths during the three-day Christmas holiday, and 468 car accident fatalities and 199 alcohol-related deaths during the four-day New Year’s holiday. Couple that fact with the fact that traffic stops for alcohol-related traffic violation always increase in New Jersey around the holiday season, and it’s obviously far better off to stay off the road after having consumed alcohol. (more…)
If you have been arrested and charged with a crime such as drug possession, vandalism, or DUI, it can be a worry-filled experience; especially if you have never been arrested before. You may be filled with questions about how you are going to defend yourself from the charges against you. You may also be wondering about how to go about finding an experienced lawyer to represent you in that defense. So like many people in this digital age, you turn to the internet. But there are still many factors that you should consider when meeting with and making the decision to hire criminal defense representation: (more…)
A Monroe Township man is heading to jail for violating New Jersey’s recently stiffened repeat offender DUI law. Robert Fredericks of Monroe Township, NJ plead guilty to driving with a suspended license. His license had been suspended in 2009 following his fourth DWI conviction. The new law mandates that drivers convicted of a repeat offense face a minimum of 180 days in jail and up to a $10,000 fine. As of July, 2012, another law was passed affecting drivers convicted of repeat DUI offenses in a shorter period of time, 60 days from each other, who can now face 18 months in jail. (more…)
Last week, the Cumberland County Dept. of Corrections held a press conference to tout the success of its program for releasing rehabilitated inmates back into the public. The program is called the ‘Last Chance Recidivism Reduction Program”. If that title sounds overly technical, it refers to a Cumberland County program which was set up to reduce the rate at which individuals who have served their sentences and have been released from relapsing into repeat offending or homelessness. The program helps certain inmates with the transition back into society through health, economic, and social services. These services include education, counseling, and being assigned a case worker. (more…)
Beginning today, police across New Jersey will be increasing patrols and roadside stops in an effort to target drunk drivers. More than $750k is being released by the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety to police departments across the state as part of the State’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Program”. That program runs between today, Friday. August 17, and Monday, September 3. The nationwide program was launched in 1999, and annually falls within the final weeks of summer. The program also utilizes educational tools such as billboards and displays to help combat drunk driving. There is also an awareness initiative for the state’s #77 program, which allows drivers to dial the number to report aggressive or impaired drivers on the road. (more…)
Several news outlets are reporting that South Jersey Assemblyman, Paul Moriarty, was charged with driving while intoxicated today in Washington Township; located withing the district he represents. Reportedly, Moriarty allegedly refused to take a breathalyzer after he was pulled over by a Washington Township police officer. The Township refused to confirm the details of the incident. If convicted, it would be Moriarty’s first DWI offense and could result in him having his license suspended, fines up to $500, $3,000 in surcharges, and community service or jail time (although that’s unlikely).
A new bill was introduced Thursday to the New Jersey Assembly on Law and Public Safety that would impose stiffer penalties on repeat DUI offenders. Under the proposed bill, an individual who is convicted two times (or more) of driving under the influence within a 60 day period would automatically be guilty of a fourth-degree crime punishable by fines up to $10,000 and 18 months in jail. The bill also would mandate the suspension of the individual’s drivers license and allows Judges to impose bail on repeat offenders up to a level of $10,000. This is significant because Courts aren’t usually allowed to place bail for fourth degree crimes higher than $2,500. (more…)
