Source: http://www.njdwidefense.com/dwi-qa/
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 16:54:42+00:00

Document:
Question. Hi I was driving home one night the roads were icy and I crashed my car in a field. I was upset about that and everything that was going on so I walked in the woods and drank a bottle a liquor I had for when I got home then showed back up at the scene of the crash 1 hour latter then took the breathalyzer test I got charged with a dui. Do to the fact the police didn’t pull me over or see me at the time of the crash will I end up getting a dui?
Answer. New Jersey Law recognizes a defense (to a NJ DWI charge) referred to generally as “post-operation consumption” (of alcohol) or the “glove box defense.” The defense issue – a defendant drank after driving is very fact-sensitive. The State bears the burden to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. Sometimes, the issue can be raised in the context of this constitutional requirement that the State prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt (there might be open bottles of liquor in a stopped car or a defendant may have admitted to post-operation consumption). Constitutionally, this is the proper analysis (because the State has the burden of proof, including arguably, proof that there was not post-operation consumption). In some cases however (and in practice) there should be an affirmative showing by the defense that there was post-operation consumption of alcohol. Again, this a fact-sensitive issue best addressed by an able NJ DWI Defense lawyer.
Answer: Good Morning. You can access the penalties through my NJ DWI FAQ Page here:http://www.newjerseydwi.com/dwi-faqs.htm. The video from the patrol car, and from the station (if one exists) can be used as evidence by the prosecutor or the defense.
Question: In your experience, have you ever been able to reduce the license suspension on a first offense with the BAC being .12? Is the amount of time the license is suspended something that the judge is able to reduce, if they were so inclined?
Answer: Good Afternoon. If the .12% reading comes into evidence (or if there is a guilty plea which concedes the reading), the license suspension would be for a minimum period of 7-months. I have, however, been able to get that license period reduced for clients when I have been able to exclude the Alcotest readings out of evidence. In those cases, I have been able to keep the license loss down to 90-days. So, in order to accomplish the lesser license loss (90-days), a successful challenge to the breath readings is necessary.
Question: If a person had a prior conviction as a minor under NJSA 39:4-50.14, would this count as a first time should he be charged later on under NJSA 39:4-50 as an adult? Thus my concern is whether one would be treated as a 1st or 2nd time offender in NJ for this new charge.
Answer: While there is no specific law on the issue (and thus the issue is open to interpretation by Courts), I believe that a prior offense for driving a vehicle underage (under 21) with a BAC of .01% or more is NOT a prior offense under the DWI laws. Based on the analogous law in this area, and a reading of both statutes (4-50 and 4-40.14), I have successfully advocated on behalf of my clients, that the underage drinking & driving statute is not a prior.
Question: My son was in a car accident in New Jersey where no one was injured. The car was totalled and there was some minor damage to property ( a tree and small stone wall). He was taken to the hospital where they drew his blood. He is 19 and his blood alcohol reading was .02. His blood was further sent to the state for testing. He is being charged with DWI, this is his first offense.
(1) Is DWI a crime or a misdemeanor?
(2) Did they have the right to take his blood without his consent ?
do so, would that consent still hold?
(5) Why was he charged with DWI and not DUI?
Answer: Hi. DWI in New Jersey is classified as a traffic offense. As such, it is not a crime or misdemeanor. The police have a right to take blood as long as they have a good faith belief that the defendant is driving while impaired. This is known as probable cause. They likewise have a right to send the blood to the laboratory for analysis.
Question: Last night my son was pulled over for a headlight being out. He had had a beer just before leaving the party. The officer smelled this on his breath and told him to get out of the car. There was no problem with his driving and he passed the in field test. He was instructed, not requested to do a field test. He was taken back to the station for the breath test which came out to 0.08. The other officers in the station were ready to just send him home because he exhibited no signs if intoxication, but the arresting officer would not let up. My son has a clean record. I read that there are problems with the breath test if someone has had a drink within 30-60 minutes of the test because of residual alcohol in the mouth and throat. Can they convict on the breath test alone or does there have to be other signs of intoxication? Can other officers be subpoenaed. Is there any chance to beat a dwi in NJ? Thank you fro any help.
Answer: Hi. In answer to your questions, (1) residual mouth alcohol will adversely impact a breath reading “Alcotest”); however, procedurally in New Jersey, the Alcotest Operator is trained to wait twenty minutes from the last injection of alcohol before administering a test – that is the time that it takes for the mouth alcohol to dissipate, (2) the State can convict with either a valid breath reading of .08% or higher, or observations showing impairment; however, in order to arrest and require breath samples, the police must have a reasonable basis to believe the defendant was driving while intoxicated (known as “probable cause”), (3) the officers can be subpoenaed, but the State has the burden to prove their case, and they will need the officers more so than the defense in most cases, and lastly, (4) there are defenses to a DWI charge.
Question: My husband received a dui in NJ some time around 1983-4. We non longer live in N.J. moved in 1987 but recently he was contacted by a collection agency saying he owes over $4,000. He had paid the fine back then and certainly has not retained any of the documents to support this. Can N.J. now come after him?
Answer: Yes, NJ can seek to collect the surcharge by entering an official “judgment” on record in NJ. That judgment can be enforced in your home state (e.g. wage garnishments, bank levies, etc.). The judgment can also have an adverse impact on your husband’s credit.
Question: Does New Jersey have an ARD program?
Answer: ARD is an acronym for “Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition.” This is a diversionary program available in Pennsylvania. New Jersey does not have a diversionary program for DWI offenses. For other charges, there are diversionary programs for first time offenders (e.g. certain drug charges in Municipal Court (“conditional discharge”) and some offenses in the Superior Court (Pre Trial Intervention). However, currently there are no such programs for DWI offenders.
Question: I have a questions my sister has two dui in pa didn’t go to court yet for the second in pa…she goes in jan for that. Now she got another in phillipsburg, nj is that going to count as third or two in pa and one in nj. THanks for your help.
Answer: The Court will look at a defendant’s driving history, and look specifically at convictions only in determining the sentence.
Question: My brother recently got a DWI (.08) when he was driving home from dinner and did have 1 beer with his food. A state trooper flew up on him making him nervous , as he tried to move over noticed he couldn’t because of another car next to him. As soon as he did this the lights when on. He was told he swerved and could have cause an accident. He was asked to take test over and over until they saw something wrong. However they told him to hold 1 leg up and count unless told to stop. He did this and when he got to 30 he put his leg down and was told to get on the hood.
Question: My boyfriend was arrested for a dui in New Jersey. He claims his car was stolen at the bar, when he went out to find it he found it crashed on the curb. the police officer found him and claimed he was the one that crashed it. To make a long story short. the officer never saw him behind the wheel, never read him his rights, gave him one breath test, and ignored him when he told him he had caps on his teeth. The officer claimed he had powder discharge from the airbag on him. We called the car dealership and found out that model of car’s airbags have no powder in them? His lawyer claims he can get the dui eliminated from evidence but so far has not even requested the video tapes of the test from that night. in fact he wants my bf to request them. he hasn’t even tried to defend the fact that he wasn’t behind the wheel or the airbag info. My question is, is this lawyer doing his job correctly, can he get the test eliminated if performed incorrectly, and what does this mean for my boyfriend? Thank you so much.
Answer: Hi. First, procedurally, the State (in effect, the Police, through the Municipal Prosecutor) have an obligation to turn over relevant reports, records, and other materials (including videotapes) to the defense. This procedure is referred to as pre-trial “discovery.” The practice is for defense counsel to request, compel, and obtain (on his client’s behalf) the production of the videotape(s). The State has the burden to establish the element of “operation” (of the motor vehicle) beyond a reasonable doubt to obtain a conviction for DWI in New Jersey. It might be that given what is before your boyfriend’s lawyer, the evidence in that regard is weak. Without seeing the file, it is impossible for me to assess the issue. For a thorough and scholarly discussion on the issue of operation in the context of a New Jersey DWI case, see this link:http://www.njdwidefense.com/nj-vs-mize.htm I am not going to criticize his lawyer because I do not know the entire history, and jumping to that conclusion would not be fair. As far as the Alcotest, the State has the burden to show that the test was administered properly – i.e. consistent with proper operating procedure. There might be other defense issues – such as the “caps” that may create defenses. Again, without seeing the file, it is impossible for me to give you tailored guidance. I think your boyfriend should sit down with his lawyer, and go through all of his concerns.
Answer: You have a right to fight the license suspension. It is incumbent upon the defendant to raise possible issues. That is to say, the defendant (through counsel) must make the court aware of the Alcotest (the new breath machine) defects/issues. One has to review the reports and records and assess the State’s case to determine whether there are any defects. So, whether there are any issues depends on a review of the State’s evidence. But, unless the issues are raised before the Court, the Judge has no obligation to conduct an independent review of the matter.
Answer: Hi. This is a common concern for people who are facing a NJ DWI charge or who have been convicted of DWI. I cannot say for certain whether the DWI conviction will have an adverse affect on your employment because I do not know what your employer is looking for and what their criteria are. However, a DWI in New Jersey is not a “crime” – it is a traffic violation. The DWI should not show up on a “criminal background check.” The DWI will however, show up on your motor vehicle history.
Answer: Blood cannot be taken by force – such would be illegal (unconstitutional) and the blood cannot be used at trial. The issue must be presented to the Court by way of a motion to suppress. The State should turn over chain of custody documents to the defense as part of pretrial discovery. However, a nine day delay for the State to conduct the analysis is not unusual, and frankly, nine days is a fats turn around.
Answer: The so-called “baby dwi” a/k/a/ a “kiddy-dwi” (underage drinking while driving) is not a prior offense for purposes of the dwi statute.
Answer: NJS 39:4-50, the NJ DWI statute prohibits driving while intoxicated or with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or more. NJS 39:4-50.14 prohibits a person who is under the legal age for buying alcohol from driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .01% or more. The threshold for a conviction under NJS 39:4-50.14 is much lower than for DWI. A conviction under 39:4-50.14 would be preferable, given a choice, over a DWI conviction. The records are not however, confidential.
Question: If a person got his first DWI 12 years ago, then another one 5 years ago, and another one six months ago, what would the last one be? His second or third offence? If his first offence was over 10 years ago does this mean his latest is still counted as his second offence? Thank you for your help.
Answer: This would be a 3rd. The law currently is that a ten-year gap between offenses steps down the offense one level. The gap however, is the gap between the current nj dwi offense and the one immediately prior. Therefore, where a the gap between 2nd and 3rd offenses is less than 10-years, it would be a 3rd dwi (offense). This is even though the 1st offense is over ten-years old.
Question: Does the State of New Jersey offer hardship drivers license (for work purposes) to those convicted of their 1st offense Of DUI/DWI?
Question: When a person is caught driving while their license is suspended due to a DUI, is it considered a traffic violation or a criminal offense?
Answer: A traffic violation under N.J.S. 30:3-40.
Question: My daughter had a DWI in NJ over 12 years ago. She never received notice of a court date, license suspension, etc. She does hold a Va. license. She has just moved to Arizona and was told that because of the DWI in 1993 they will not issue her an Arizona license. She did not even know it was revoked. She has not had another DWI since and her driving record is clean. Is there a statute of limitations in NJ for DWI, and if not, what would she have to do to get this cleared up?
Answer: The “statute of limitations” refers to time periods for tickets to be issued. Currently, a dwi charge must issue within 90 days of the alleged offense. The time limit was 30 days.
Question: My first DWI was in 1983, my second was in 1996, and my third was in 2005. My second offense was counted as a first offense since it was over 10 years. Should my most recent offense have been counted as a third offense?
Answer: The Court will look to the gap between the 3rd and 2nd. If, as it appears in your case, the time from offense to offense is less than 10 years, you are treated as a 3rd.
Question: I got a DWI in Michigan 4 years ago, which was reduced to open intox. I just got a DWI two days ago in New Jersey. Will having two DWI’s in a five year period assure loss of license and/or jailtime?
Answer: The prior offense in Michigan will be regarded as a prior DWI in NJ if the Michigan offense is substantially similar to NJ DWI Law. Therefore, it would be necessary to investigate the precise law that you plead guilty to in Michigan (what you refer to as “open intox.”) If the law there provides penalties for any level of alcohol and does not require impairment, then it would not count as a prior. If it is a prior and you are convicted or pled guilty in NJ, the penalty is a 2 to 90 day jail sentence and 2 year license loss.
Question: My brother is charged with a 3rd DUI in New Jersey. It has been 9 years between the 2nd and 3rd. His breathalyzer tests came out as .07,.10 and .10. He is going to trial as it has been postponed a few times and the state postponed it twice. They have been trying to get it down to reckless driving since there is saporstein report involved and the police officer was incorrect with the breathalyzer. They were using the old system, there was video camera either. Is there a 60 day rule to settle this?
Answer: There is not a 60-day “rule” of law that requires dwi charges to be heard (in 60 days). There is, however, a 60-day guideline that courts attempt to adhere to. However, it is not uncommon, particularly in contested cases, to have cases go beyond the 60-day mark.
Question: I JUST GOT MY THIRD DWI IN NEW JERSEY, BUT I REFUSED BREATH TEST THIS TIME. I’M MARRIED AND HAVE 2 KIDS. MY WIFE DOESN’T WORK ACTUALLY SHE SUFFERS FROM MULTIPLE SCLEROSES. I CAN’T AFFORD A GOOD ATTORNEY. WHAT ARE MY CHANCES WITH A PUBLIC ATTORNEY? CAN I AVOID JAIL TIME?AND WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T APPEAR IN COURT? THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Answer: If you are convicted of dwi as a third offender, New Jersey law provides for a 180-day jail term. That jail term can be reduced by a maximum of 90-days with an IDRC approved in-patient rehabilitation program. The balance of the term (90 days) must be jail – or, in some cases, a jail alternative such as an anklet program, or house arrest. The jail can also be avoided if the prior convictions can be attacked (i.e., vacated).
Question: I work for the federal courts, and we were wondering if a person has a sixth conviction for DWI, are the penalties the same as for a third offense, and can all 180 days be served in an inpatient facility or only 90 of those days?
Question: I need to know if someone gets a DWI and this is their third but the oldest was over 10 years ago (first 4/95, second 6/98 & third 4/05)- would this still be treated as a 3rd offense or would it be treated as a 2nd offense?
Answer: his would be treated as a 3rd DWI in New Jersey. The Court looks at the gap between the 3rd and 2nd – because the gap here is less than 10 years, it is a 3rd. If your 2nd NJ DWI was more than 10 years from the 3rd, you would be stepped down to a 2nd NJ DWI offender.
Question: In 1984 my one in-law was arrested for dwi in nj. He let his license go. Now he wants his license and dmv told him it cost him over four thousand dollars. Is this true?
Answer: The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC), formerly the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) appears to have assessed him with a surcharge – $1,000.00 per year for three years as a result of the nj dwi conviction. The overage would appear to be interest. That was and is authorized.
Question: I am wondering if a first time DWI offense is considered a criminal offense or a traffic violation in the state o NJ? I heard it was only considered a motor vehicle offense. Also, if it is considered a motor vehicle offense and not a crime, does the law make a distinction as to whether this offense is a major or minor traffic offense?
Answer: Incorrect – there is no hard and fast time limit by which a NJ DWI charge must be concluded. A Defendant does however, have a constitutional right to a “speedy trial” in connection with a NJ DWI charge. Whether that right is violated requires weighing and balancing four factors: (1) the length of the delay, (2) the reasons for the delay, (3) whether the defendant asserted his right to a speedy trial, and (4) any prejudice occasioned by the delay.
Answer: If convicted of nj dwi (as a second offender which he would be considered), your son is facing a mandatory 2 year license loss and 2 to 90 day jail sentence. He provably has an arrest warrant for him that needs to be vacated (by posting bail). Then, the case can be placed back on the active trial calendar. This is not a very unfamiliar situation (failure to appear) for experienced counsel to negotiate.
Answer: Sometimes there is a videotape – the “original” test results must be recorded by the breath operator. There is no permanent printout on the archaic breathalyzer machine. If you asked for the results at the time and were not given them, you have a good argument to exclude the readings since you have a statutory right to the test results when you ask.
Answer: The State must prove that the defendant operated or intended to operate the vehicle.
Answer: The jail sentence for a 2nd nj dwi offense is 2 days mandatory up to 90 days (jail). The 2 days can, in the discretion of the court, be served in the intoxicated driver;s resource center (overnight). Some counties allow the jail sentence to be served on weekends.
Answer: The State must prove “operation” of the car beyond a reasonable doubt. The law allows them to prove it by proof of intent to operate or an inference of past operation (while intoxicated). The cops can charge and arrest on any facts – but they have the burden to prove a basis for the arrest and the ultimate charge. In this case, given the facts you describe, the State will have a difficult time proving operation.
Answer: This would be a first offense for sentencing purposes if you are convicted or plead guilty.
Question: I received DWI recently and was taken to the station. When I asked the officer what my BAC was he said I “doubled”. He also mailed me a reckless driving ticket a week later. I got pulled over for a tailight, not for erratic driving. I cooperated completely with the officer and was not being difficult at all. I’m assuming that i will have a loss of liscense for at least 6 months. Is there any way to get that reduced, i.e. to 3 months? Is there any way to get these charges reduced? How much can I trust the lawyer? How can I tell the difference between a good DWI and a can of paint with all the lawyers out there?Please Respond.
Answer: The current law in New Jersey is this if convicted of a first dwi offense – driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .10% or more, license loss of 7 months to 1 year. If the State is unable to establish the integrity of the breath or blood readings and if the other observations are sufficient to show that you were under the influence – a 90 days license loss. It is hard to say whether in your case it is possible to get the sentence reduced to 90 days – this would require a careful analysis of the written records and reports on file, called “discovery.” As far as you being able to gauge a lawyer’s ability and expertise see my tips on hiring a lawyer for your nj dwi case.
Question: Can you be arrested for DWI in NJ without having road side test done?
Question: I know the NJ limit was reduced to .08 in Jan/04. Is that in effect now? I heard that it was to go into effect in July/04.
Answer: It has been in effect since January 21, 2004.
Answer: The so called “legal limit” in New Jersey was recently reduced to .08%. Getting DWI charges “dropped to ,,, lesser charge[s]” is something that the State will do if they are convinced they cannot sustain their burden of proof. The “chances” of that happening depend on many factors – including reviewing the reports and records on file. But, you should know that DWI charges are not routinely reduced (like other charges). They are dismissed or reduced in rare cases where the State is unable to sustain their burden of proof.
Answer: A nj dwi conviction remains part your driving history permanently.
Answer: In State v. Machuzak, 227 N.J. Super. 279 (Law Div. 1988), the Court (Somerset County) held that the DWI Statute (NJSA 394-50) clearly did not apply to non-motorized bicycles. A Cumberland Superior Court also held that the Statute was not applicable – see State v. Johnson, 203 N.J. Super. 436 (Law Div. 1985). However, in State v. Tehan, 190 N.J. Super. 348 (Law Div. 1982), a Court (in Somerset County) found that a bicyclist could be found guilty of DWI, although the license revocation could not be imposed.
Answer: This is a common question. A conviction for nj dwi is a motor vehicle offense – not even a misdemeanor. It falls under Title 39 of nj laws – all motor vehicle offenses.
Question: I was just arrested for DWI. I got a talked to a lawyer and he said “well when we go to court i can probably get the court to throw out the speeding and careless driving tickets but the dwi one will stay…however i may be able to get them to drop your .10 blood level to .08 and have your license suspended for lonly 3 months instead of 6 months” My question is…is this true could he get me a 3 month loss of license instead of 6? I got pulled over in a 55 doing 65 in like another 2 hundred yards the limit goies up to 65…i passed my abc’s and walking a straight line…i put my foot down twice holdning it in the air…any info on this 3 month loss would be great…please emial me i need help.
Answer: Yes, nj dwi law changed on January 20, 2004. The legal limit was reduced to .08%. The penalties for driving with a .08% up to .099 include a 90 day license loss. For a .10% or more, the license loss is 7 months. So, it is possible that if a .10% or more reading is compromised, the license loss would be limited to 90 days.
Answer: New Jersey DWI law prohibits driving while under the influence of certain drugs (e.g., narcotics) even if they were prescribed. The fact that the cop never told you that you were under arrest is a non-issue. The failure to read your rights does not void the dwi charge (this is a common question). The only effect is that if you gave any statements in response to questioning, those statements might be excluded from evidence (like an answer that you just consumed the drugs).The real issue in these cases is usually whether the state can prove a nexus between the drugs and your symptoms.
Answer: This dwi would be a second if you were convicted or plead guilty.
Answer: You most probably have a warrant outstanding for your arrest and you nj driving privileges should be indefinitely suspended. The process is to rescind the warrant (usually by posting bail) and have the case re-listed. A knowledgeable nj municipal court lawyer should know how to accomplish this. If you had no prior refusal or dwi convictions, you are facing 6 months to 1 year license loss for the dwi and 6 months on the refusal – among other penalties.
Question: “I got convicted of DUI about a two months ago and then when driving one night about two weeks ago got pulled over and issued a Driving While Suspended. I have checked the penalties but just wanted to see wha discretion the Judge would have. I don’t know if my person situation would have any affect but just to add to the details here they are.
Answer: The license loss is between 1 to 2 years – so the Judge has some discretion there. The jail is 10 to 90 days so the Judge has some discretion there too. In some cases Judges can impose jail alternatives – it depends on the Judge and the Court. There may also be a way to win the case or get a plea bargained disposition to something other than what was charged – rare, but possible.
Answer: The record of a conviction will remain a permanent part of your NJ driving history. There is currently no way to erase it. Most insurance companies will look back three years for rating purposes.
Answer: No – currently, there are no limited licenses.
Answer: NO – not in New Jersey.
Answer: NJ cannot seek jail time. However, the law allows them to seek a license revocation as well the surcharges for an out of state conviction which is similar to a nj dwi conviction. You should s/w counsel to see whether there are defenses to the proposed action – you have a right to an administrative hearing.
Answer: New Jersey will seek a 6 month license revocation (assuming this is your first offense), and impose yearly $1,000.00 surcharges.
Question: “A third arrest. The second arrest was over ten years ago. What is the worst case senario/ best case senario?
Answer: Best Case – Not Guilty. Worst Case = second (nj dwi) offender status.
Question: “Here is my dilemma: I was parked one day in a park with a girl. To cut it short. Cop found an open bottle of alcohol in vehicle that I WAS NOT DRINKING. It was in my house and I was give it to my friend because I wasn’t using it. Well they gave a $200 ticket for an open bottle of alcohol. I paid it. I tried to rent a vehicle and I was not allowed because I have a DUI on my record. How?? not drinking nor breathalizer….can I fight that?
Answer: When you paid the ticket, you plead guilty to the charge. The procedure to fight the charge now involves applying to the court to vacate (withdraw) your guilty plea. There are two sections that the State could have charged you with – either consuming the alcohol in the car (NJS 39:4-51a) or simply possessing an open container (NJS 39:4-51b). These are not DWI convictions – you need to confer with legal counsel to review the matter further and assess your options. There are time constraints in filing motions to vacate with the court – therefore, you should consult counsel without delay who can give you more detail about your rights and time limits.
Answer: There should be no effect on your insurance for a violation of simply failing to possess a document (39:3-29). There is no law to the effect that you can provide proper up-to-date credentials within 24 hours. If you do have up to date documents and were charged with for e.g. no insurance or no license, the charges can be amended by the state to simply not having them in your possession.
Answer: The ARD program generally provides that if you complete it, there is no conviction on your record. This is probably why the PA DUI did not carry over to NJ – because NJ will only recognize a conviction. Your attorney should check the final disposition papers in PA regarding the ARD to be sure.
Answer: If the law is substantially similar to nj dwi law, the nj dmv will seek to impose a 6 month license revocation (assuming this is a first offense). The penalties in the convicting state are irrelevant.
Answer: No – the Judge’s Order (Sentence) is controlling. However, the State or even the Court on their own, can correct the sentence.
Answer: 180 days is the maximum term for a 3rd or more nj dwi offender. If, however, the offender is driving while suspended for a dwi, there is a 10 to 90 day jail sentence. If there are injuries or death, then the jail exposure of course increases.
Answer: Motorists are required to give samples of their breath, not urine or blood. If you gave the urine sample, you must have consented by your conduct. A written consent is not required. The cops asked for urine because they were looking for evidence of drugs in your system. The State will probably have impediments proving the dwi – even if there were drugs found in your urine (unless drug recognition tests were performed by a qualified expert). However, it is impossible to assess the state’s case against you without seeing all of the reports and doing a thorough investigation. A skilled and experienced dwi defense lawyer can carve up the state’s case – including using the issue of your being tired effecting the field tests.
Answer: Second offense under NJ Law – 2 year loss of license.
Answer: No – you cannot expunge a nj dwi conviction – it remains a permanent part of your New Jersey driving record.
Answer: There is no procedure to expunge a nj dwi conviction.
Answer: The question is not “what kind of case” you have. The primary defense inquiry is always what the State’s case is. The State has the burden to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a burden which never shifts. Here, the State will have the burden to prove that you knowingly allowed your friend to operate the car while intoxicated, a difficult burden. If you have counsel, he/she should review the State’s evidence (reports and records on file) to better assess the State’s case and prepare a strategy.
Answer: A clean driving record is considered by the court when sentencing. Absent some exasperating circumstance (usually an accident with injuries), it is highly unlikely that a court would impose a jail sentence for a first nj dwi offense.
Question: “I was pulled over the other night (Nov 8th) The officer asked me for my drivers license and registration. Before I even got the documents out of the glovebox he told me to get out of the car. I got out of the vehicle where they directed me to the sidewalk. Before I even performed a field sobriety test he told my passengers to find a ride home because I was going to jail. Is this legal? The basically found me guilty (of nj dwi) before I even performed a road test or breathalyzer.
Answer: Appeals from nj dwi convictions for are taken by the filing of an appeal within 20 days from the judgment. The Defendant is obliged to order and obtain transcripts of the proceedings and usually file a written argument called a brief. There is no specific time period for the court to hear the appeal – however, a defendant does have a right to a speedy trial.
Question: My son was given a DUI eighteen months ago in PA. He entered the ARD program and had his driving privileges suspended for 15 months, 12 for the DUI and an extra 3 months for being underage. He has met all the ARD requirements and is about to get his driving privilege back and he has had his records expunged. In all this time he has had no notice from NJ about his license suspension here. He has not driven in NJ and let his NJ license expire until his PA suspension is lifted. We tried to get his driver abstract from a company on line but they told him that his license number is invalid and are giving his money back. What does this mean? He is going to renew his license as soon as he can. He goes to school out of state and hasn’t been home when the DMV is open. I spoke to an insurance agent about getting him his own policy and he told me that NJ can still take his license away. Why would NJ take this long to notify him? If NJ hasn’t gotten around to suspending his license until now can he fight it? I’m sure NJ is going to make him pay the 3 year surcharge but he has had no notice as to who and when to pay. Does this ever end?
Answer: I am not sure why he would have let his nj license expire. In any event, it may be that the diversionary program in PA did not report the matter to NJ because it did not result in a conviction. NJ will act on out of state convictions. The delay in being notified by nj dmv is not a defense to the action – that assumes that nj dmv will take any action at all.
Answer: Based on a 2001 ruling (http://lawlibrary.rutgers.edu/decisions/appellate/a2892-99.opn.html), nj can surcharge out of state drivers convicted of nj dwi. NJ appears to have merely given you a license number for tracking purposes only. You can seek a payment plan for the surcharges and seek reinstatement of your privileges based on the payment plan being maintained.
Answer: New Jersey DWI Law does not allow legally imposed license revocations to be reduced even in compelling cases such as yours.
Answer: A nj dwi dui conviction is a motor vehicle violation.
Answer: A first offense for nj dwi carries with it 6 months to 1 year loss of nj driving privileges. If you were charged with leaving the scene of an accident with property damage only (no personal injury), there is a 6 month mandatory loss of driving privileges.
Answer: A nj dwi conviction remains a permanent part of your NJ driving record. While there are no NJ DMV points associated with a nj dwi, there are insurance eligibility points. Most insurance companies will look back three years for purposes of insurance rate increases – a nj dwi will generally result in your having to buy insurance through the nj assigned risk plan.
Answer: A conviction for NJ DUI – DWI is neither – it is a motor vehicle violation.
Answer: The State can charge, among other things, a separate offense of DWI with a minor present (There can be other criminal charges filed – but this would the most common in this fact pattern). This offense is classified as a disorderly person’s offense in New Jersey (some States refer to these offenses as misdemeanors). If convicted, the defendant is exposed to up to 6 months license loss, up to 5 days community service, up to $1,000.00 in fines, and 6 months jail.
Answer: NJ DWI is considered a “strict liability” offense. This means that culpability attaches regardless of the driver’s state of mind or intent. State of mind type defenses such as insanity have been stricken as invalid in the context of a NJ DWI charge.
Answer: Only if the passenger is proven to have allowed the operation. Allowing a driver to operate drunk is a violation of nj dwi law.
Answer: The statute of limitations applies to when a charge can be filed – not concluded. In the case of a NJ DWI charge, the State currently has 90 days to file the charge (the law was 30 days – recently amended).
Answer: No – the license revocation is absolute with no work or other special licenses.
Answer: No – a NJ DWI charge is a motor vehicle violation.
Answer: At best a third offender – which for sentencing purposes is the same as a fourth offender.
Answer: There is no specific time limit – however, the court will weigh and balance these factors in assessing a speedy trial argument: (1) the length of the delay, (2) prejudice to a defendant, (3) the reasons for the delay, and (4) whether the defendant asserted the delay. The defense must of course, push and advocate the issue.
Answer: A Defendant has a constitutional right to have a “speedy trial.” There is not an exact time period (e.g., 60 days, 90 days, 180 days, etc.) in New Jersey when a delay will trigger a violation of that right. Rather, Courts must weigh and balance four factors in assessing whether a speedy trial violation has occurred: (1) Prejudice to the defendant, (2) the reasons for the delay(s), (3) the length of the delay, and (4) whether the defendant asserted the right to a speedy trial. The issue is interesting and profound to argue.
Answer: No – the license revocation (for a first offense = 6 months) is imposed upon conviction or plea. The penalties for a first DWI offense are between 6 months to 1 year license loss, approximately $700.00 to $900.00 in fines and assessments, 12 hours of alcohol awareness classes, and up to 30 days jail.
Answer: There are two ways the State can seek to convict for DWI; showing a blood alcohol concentration of .10% called a “per se” offense) or alternatively, observations showing under the influence. Obviously, the State cannot prove a per se offense. However, they can try to prosecute based on your general appearance and how you performed on the field tests.
Answer: To assess whether a speedy trial right has been denied, the Court weighs and balances (1) the length of the delay, (2) the reason for the delay, (3) prejudice to the defendant, and (4) assertion of the speedy trial right by the defendant. I do not know all of the facts – however, it would appear that a motion to dismiss on speedy trial grounds could and should be made.
Answer: In NJ, a DWI is not a felony or crime – it is a motor vehicle violation.
Question: “I was charged with a DWI, and had a bac of .117.My license was revoked for 6 months.Prior to going to court I was able to obtain a NY state dl.Needless to say 8 days after losing my license I was pulled over.I gave the officer my NY license with my insurance and registration(girlfriends car).He told me my NJ license was currently revoked and asked me if I knew why.I played dumb,fearing that I would be arrested on the spot,and said that I don’t know why it would be revoked.Instead of arresting me the “officer’s”, at this point allowed me to pull of the road so I wouldn’t get towed and drove me to a phone so I could call for a ride.I was issued a ticket for driving while revoked and obstruction. What kind of trouble am I in for driving and also for lying to the Officer?Is there any way I can pay a bigger fine,community service,etc. instead of jailtime or an additional lose of license?
Answer: Many clients have tried and continue to try to obtain an out of state license to try and hide the fact that they are revoked in New Jersey. An out of state license does not negate the fact that you are suspended in New Jersey. A conviction for driving while revoked for a DWI carries with it a mandatory 10 to 90 day jail sentence and 1 to 2 year additional license loss. The “obstruction” charge is generally a “disorderly person’s” offense carrying with it up to $1,000.00 fine, and six months jail – although without seeing the charging document, I cannot precisely advise you on this offense as it could be improperly charged for example. I would suggest that hire competent counsel – but you probably know this. There may be defenses and if not, counsel can try and minimize the penalties with a jail alternative or other alternative disposition.
Answer: Convictions can be attacked by going back into the convicting court and making an application to either vacate the guilty plea or challenge the trial. There are time limits in filing these applications (generally five years) – you should speak with an attorney and provide all of the facts to him/her to better assess your rights.
Answer: A decision of a Municipal Court can be appealed. Appeals must be taken within twenty days of the final judgment. There are some limited exceptions such as where no notice was given regarding the appeal deadline.
Answer: First, I am not a PA Attorney – I am licensed in NJ only. In any event, NJ DMV will take action against you upon a conviction. You should check the parameters of the ARD admittance – if there was not a conviction, NJ should not take action. If they do try and take action, it may be contested.
Answer: The law will look at the gap between the snd and third offense – the time of the first is not relevant. If the gap between the second and third is less than a year, the law treats the offense as a third. The recent law on the issue merely was a pronouncement of what the statutory law has been.
Question: “Police found me sleeping in my car wit the engine on and with a half bottle of liqour on the rear seat,that happened in a parking lot.two tickets were given to me one 39:4-50 and 39:4-51a.
Answer: OK – I am not sure what the question is. However, you are charged with DWI and consumption in a motor vehicle. Like all charges, the State has the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. If you were sick, you would go to a doctor – you have a legal problem – you should hire an attorney.
Answer: No – if you are suspended out of state, NJ law regards you and being suspended here.
Answer: Common Question – the answer is, unfortunately, No.
Answer: The prior New York DWI in 1994 (as opposed to a DWAI) is generally considered a prior for sentencing purposes. I am always reluctant to advise people on this board to seek out counsel for fear that it will be viewed as my trying to generate a new client. However, my best advice for you is to retain counsel. You have a serious charge and exposure (given the accident and your NY prior). Further, blood draw DWI cases require a very detailed and thorough analysis by an experienced and competent DWI Defense Lawyer.
Answer: The one reading, standing alone, is not evidential. The law requires two readings taken within 15 minutes of one another, with the lower of the two being used for proof purposes.
Answer: In New Jersey, until and unless you are convicted of refusing to submit to breath testing, the State cannot suspend your NJ license or NJ driving privileges.
Answer: No, there are no work or conditional licenses allowed in New Jersey. Upon a DWI conviction or plea, the Judge must take your license unconditionally for the prescribed period.
Answer: The horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN) test is not admissible to prove intoxication. Some Courts take the view (I believe incorrectly) that it can be used in conjunction with other field tests. Others take the view (which is questionable) that the HGN test can be used as a tool to asses probable cause to arrest.
Answer: I would not say that the owner was “wrong” for calling – it was his right and perhaps even his legal duty to call the police. As far as your case, you must remember, the State has the burden to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. It is not up to you to prove a “defense” – rather, the State is obliged to prove the “offense”. Whether the State can do so would require a detailed analysis of the written reports and records on file, along with any other relevant materials in the State’s possession (called generally “discovery”).
Answer: First and foremost, you are the client and as such, are entitled to be informed fully regarding the risks as well as the obvious rewards of a trial. You are also entitled to be made fully aware of the procedures involved in your case. If, as you put it, you do not “know what is going on”, I suggest that you open up communications with your lawyer. As far as the deal of 30-90 days, the State cannot plea-bargain a DWI charge – only dismiss or amend to a charge fitting with proofs where they are unable to prove their case. If you are underage, the underage alcohol consumption while driving law (which prohibits driving with BAC of.01% or more) provides for 30-90 day license loss. A standard DWI charge however, carries with it mandatory minimum loss of privileges starting with six months. Again, I would suggest that you reach out to your attorney and tell him your concerns for an appropriate response.
Answer: There is no procedure whereby a DWI conviction can be “expunged” (i.e. eliminated) from a NJ DMV record. For sentencing purposes however (which I think is the thrust of your question), a 2nd offense occurring more than ten years after a 1st offense would be treated as a 1st offense for sentencing purposes.
Answer: If you did not respond to the ticket by entering a not guilty plea (as directed on the ticket), the Court typically issues a failure to appear notice and arrest warrant. A Defendant can be expected to receive notice of the failure to appear which should have been mailed to the address on the ticket. If you know the Town where the ticket was issued, you should call that Towns’ Municipal Court Administrator. If not, you can contact NJ DMV or Maryland DMV. As far as the insurance question, this is a Maryland question which I am unable to answer.
Answer: Yes, the Police have 90 days to charge DWI.
Answer: A DWI conviction in NJ is permanently recorded with NJ DMV.
Answer: The Police are required, among other things, to advise you of your obligations to provide breath samples and the consequences of your failing to do so. If they did not, the charge of refusing to submit to breath samples is not provable by the State. Defense Counsel can explore the issue more fully – you and your counsel need to enter not guilty pleas and explore the State’s case further.
Answer: DWI in New Jersey is a motor vehicle offense in New Jersey, not a felony or disorderly persons offense.
Answer: No – there are no work or conditional licenses in New Jersey. The license revocation resulting from a DWI conviction is absolute.
Answer: 180 days – you have to go to a Regional NJ DMV to get the license reissued and pay DMV their restoration fee.
Answer: No, you are not “automatically guilty” – I am assuming your post meant to say fight the charge as opposed to the conviction. The State must prove (assuming this is a DWI charge as opposed to underage consumption while driving) either a blood alcohol concentration of .10% or more, or that you were “under the influence” – defined generally as your mental and physical facilities being adversely affected. It is not illegal to consume alcohol and drive (again, assuming you are of legal age) – only to drive either under the influence or with a blood alcohol concentration of .10% or more.
Question: “I am a first time offender. I was stopped returning from a party. Although I didn’t feel at the time that 4 glasses of wine would have that much of an effect on me, I was wrong. I had visited a Docto that day who prescribed a medication for back pain. I underestimated the effect of mixing the 2 would have. I also did not understand at that time that I should have accepted the breathalyzer test. I did not take the test. I received a summons for DUI and refusal to take the test. Is there any hope for me? I really need my license to work, without it I don’t know what I will do.
Answer: First, if you are convicted of either of the charges (DWI or Refusal to Submit), the license revocation (180 days minimum) must be imposed by the Court. Further, the revocation is absolute – there are no work or conditional licenses. The DWI charge coupled with the Refusal charge is always an extreme challenge, although not hopeless – I have won combined DWI and Refusal to Submit cases. One would have to examine all of the facts of your particular case before properly assessing whether the State can meet their constitutional burden of proof on the charges.
Answer: No, there is no reason, or legal reason for the Court to.
Answer: Yes – the State can charge DWI; they ultimately have the burden of proving each element of their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Question: “I got a Dui in Md. which has a 60 day suspension for first offence. What will Nj do? Will I get 60 days or 6 mos? (Bac was 1.8) How long does it take before NJ contacts me? Is there a hearing? Offense was Nov. 10th. Thank you.
Answer: NJ DMV will send you a notice of proposed suspension advising you that unless you contest the action, they will suspend your NJ privileges for 180 days (assuming this is your 1st offense). If the DMV action goes into effect, you will also be subject to the NJ yearly surcharge, the conviction will go on your driving abstract, and your insurance rates will increase. Most times, a hearing is useless and in fact, DMV will simply deny many hearing requests based on the fact that there are no issues warranting a hearing. There may be issues here, but probably not – only with a thorough review of all of the facts, the court transcripts, and a review of MD law, can a definite assessment be made.
Answer: The Police have to have cause to subject a driver to chemical breath testing or blood testing. As to the victim, I am not sure what type of tests you are referring to – blood tests, or an autopsy. The autopsy would entail an analysis of what was in the blood.
Answer: I assume you meant that you were “charged” with DWI, not “convicted.” There is a mandatory 48 hour jail sentence for a 2nd offense, up to 90 days. The Court can, in their discretion, allow you to spend 48 hours in the Intoxicated Driver’s Resource Center (IDRC) in lieu of jail. Using an out of state address for insurance is illegal. You cannot plea bargain a DWI charge or sentence. There may be issues whereby your sentence can be molded, but thinking that the sentence can be reduced routinely is foolhardy. Some cops, while well-intentioned, misstate the law – further, even though the process may have seemed quite cozy, once the cops charged you, they were and are basically, your accusers, not your protectors. Defense counsel is there to protect your interests in the system which is adversarial. You should seek DWI Defense Counsel to guide you and protect your interests.
Answer: I do not know why New Jersey has not made DWI a criminal offense. If DWI was criminalized, a Defendant would have a right to a Jury Trial, something which I personally, would like – a jury of ones peers is the best based system in the world. Yes, there can be other criminal charges filed against a Defendant when there are injuries and death.
Answer: There is not a specific time frame in New Jersey which embodies the constitutional right to a speedy trial. Rather, the Court must weigh and balance four factors (to assess whether a Defendant’s speedy trial rights have been violated): (1) the length of the delay, (2) the reasons for the delay, (3) whether the defendant asserted his right to speedy trial, and (4) any prejudice to the defendant (which does not have to be real prejudice such as the inability to properly defend the charge – it can be the psychological strain of having the prosecution hanging overhead) occasioned by the delay. With a March 2001 Arrest, the first factor (length of delay) seems to be excessive – note that this is just one factor which the Court has to weigh. If you have counsel, he/she should, if warranted, be making the appropriate record before the Court on the issue.
Answer: The Court cannot, but the IDRC can. The Court cannot deviate from statutory sentencing parameters. However, the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) may require that you attend additional counseling beyond the two day class you are required to attend.
Answer: You cannot – a DWI Conviction in New Jersey (as well as all motor vehicle violations) cannot be “expunged.” A DWI Conviction will become and remain, part of your permanent NJ driving record.
Question: “My father was charged with several DWI offenses in NJ 10 years ago. To my knowledge, he has never appeared in court for at least 1 of those.
Answer: The first order of business is to find out precisely what courts have outstanding matters against your father (this is properly done with a review of his NJ DMV driving history). Next, each court will most likely want bail to be posted to rescind the bench warrants. Once that is done, each case must be reviewed to see whether the State can prove the charges against your father beyond a reasonable doubt. Be careful, Maryland may refuse to issue your father a license if he is suspended in New Jersey – they may want him to wait out the New Jersey suspension period. It would be foolhardy to simply enter guilty pleas in these cases before reviewing the State’s proofs. There may be jail exposure here as well – however, more facts are needed. Lastly, note that the statute of limitations (probably 30 days for your father’s cases – 90 days now) applies to when charges must be filed, not fully resolved. I would strongly suggest that your family retain New Jersey DWI Defense Counsel.
Answer: There is no definite time period within which the State must conclude a DWI Prosecution. However, the United States and New Jersey Constitutions provide that a Defendant is entitled to a “speedy trial.” Each case is fact sensitive – you should consult with Counsel who, when given the pertinent facts, can give you a more tailored response.
Answer: That is a very very broad question – you need to be more specific please.
Answer: Currently, a DWI charge under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 is a motor vehicle violation, not a felony. In certain cases involving death or injuries, felony charges can be filed where the DWI is an element of the offense.
Question: “Sorry, but I couldn’t find help for my question in regards to suspended license but has nothing to do with DWI. I hope you could help me.
Background: 1995 – I was working as a door-to-door salesman, basically 7-7 hours on the road and hardly making any money. Due to that, I failed to do some repairs on my car and in the process received several tickets for it which resulted to my 1st suspension (got pulled over – driving w/ a suspended license). Took care of this problem in Trenton. Meanwhile, because of the suspension I quit my salesman job(can’t drive) and in 1996-7 moved to Florida because of financial hardship in NJ.
Florida: I found out later in Florida that I have a 2nd suspension, driving with suspended license and no insurance. Problem here is that, I was never at or near at that time of said issuance of ticket. In short, I was not driving a car at that time. Further personal investigation showed that this ticket was issued at the time I was suspended with my 1st suspension. It turns out that unbeknown to me, my girlfriend have taken the car to visit her mom and on the way home have a flat tire. She called up the tow-truck and was in the process of being towed, that’s when a patrol-car gets behind(possibly for traffic safety reason) and obviously check the plate(no moving violation).
Answer: You must first determine how much bail you need to post to vacate the bench warrant (which was presumably issued). Many courts will allow you to post bail by mail. Once that is done, the case will be listed for trial.
Answer: Indefinitely – for others, you are referring to the required Intoxicated Drivers Resource Center (IDRC) course. The IDRC can also require that additional counseling be undertaken – if you fail to comply with their dictates, likewise, your license will be suspended until you comply.
Answer: No, you must attend the IDRC and comply with whatever treatment regimen, if any, they mandate. The outpatient treatment may satisfy a possible IDRC recomended treatment plan; however, you must attend the IDRC for screening.
Answer: Yes, the first offense, being less than 10 years from the 2nd offense, would be considered for purposes of sentencing on the 2nd offense.
Answer: There is a mandatory 180 day jail sentence. However, 90 days of it can, in the Court’s discretion, be served with community service, leaving a 90 day balance. That 90 day balance can, in the Court’s discretion, be served by admittance into an in-patient rehabilitation program. If the facility releases you before the end of the 90 days is finished (which most will do), the Court can allow you to serve the balance by attending the requisite outpatient care as mandated by the facility.
Answer: There is a mandatory 48 hour jail sentence for a second offense and up to 90 days. There are jail alternatives – for example, attending an overnight two day IDRC program. Your treatment efforts certainly will help to try and argue against jail time although there may be other factors present here which experienced counsel can advocate on your behalf. You should consider hiring an attorney to guide you and protect your interests – if you cannot afford counsel, you should apply for the public defender.
Answer: If you are convicted or plead guilty, $500.00 to $1,000.00 fine – you will also have a surcharge of $1,000.00 per year through NJ DMV. You asked about “fine[s]” only – note that there are other penalties which must be imposed on a 2nd offense.
Question: “I received a DWI over three years ago. Will the charge appear on a criminal background check done by a prospective employer. Thanks.
Answer: A DWI is not a crime in New Jersey. A record of the conviction does however, appear on your permanent NJ DMV record.
Question: “several years ago, i was arrested for first time dwi. the arrest occurred because of an anonymous tip made via cell phone. the caller dialed 911 and reported a car driving all over the road. the caller then gave the 911 dispatcher my license plate. the dispatcher ran the plate number for identification and then notified the town police where i reside. the police then sent a patrol car to check my house. as i was not yet home, the police then placed a patrol car down the block from my home and waited for me to drive past. when i did, they immediately turned on their lights and had me pull over, this despite the fact that they witnessed nothing improper. after the stop was made, they advised me that i was pulled over because of a complaint, they asked me if i was drinking, I said that I had had a few, and they then appeared to follow the usual procedures. Ultimately I failed the fst, was taken to the station house, and given three breath tests. The readings came in at .20, .23, and finally .21 in that order. at that point I was formally charged with dwi and released. My trial attorney at the time advised me that i would probably lose the case on the basis of the fst,this despite the fact that the breath tests were legally invalid since they were too far apart numerically. of more important note, though, was his position that the police, in his opinion, made an illegal stop, one which was instigated strictly on the basis of an anonymous tip with absolutely no corroborating evidence witnessed by the police. on that basis, my attorney made a motion to suppress. it took the municipal judge four months to issue his ruling on the motion which was one of denial, citing the community caretaker provision in his decision. after that, my attorney advised me that the best course of action was to enter a conditional plea of guilty contingent on my right to appeal the motion and hold onto my license in the interim. the municipal judge agreed. at the de novo review in superior court, meanwhile, the judge also denied the motion to suppress, after which i appealed to the state appellate division for a second review. i am currently awaiting the court’s decision on this matter.
Answer: Without knowing all of the facts, I would be hard pressed to question your attorney’s use of the “conditional plea.” Generally however, the use of the conditional plea is a good tool where the State’s observation case against is extremely strong. In these cases, it is better not to clutter the record with the State’s strong observations – e.g. Defendant falling over drunk, etc.
Answer: Yes, because the penalties for a DWI conviction are what is known as “consequences of magnitude”, you are entitled to a public defender if you cannot afford one.
Answer: No – provided that the summons was issued within 30 days of the offense, there is no “statute of limitations” on a warrant.
Answer: This is an interesting question, because there is no clear line of authority on the issue. In State v. Machuzak, 227 N.J. Super. 279 (Law Div. 1988), the Court (Somerset County) held that the DWI Statute (NJSA 39:4-50) clearly did not apply to non-motorized bicycles. A Cumberland Superior Court also held that the Statute was not applicable – see State v. Johnson, 203 N.J. Super. 436 (Law Div. 1985). However, in State v. Tehan, 190 N.J. Super. 348 (Law Div. 1982), a Court (in Somerset County) found that a bicyclist could be found guilty of DWI, although the license revocation could not be imposed.
Answer: The Statute, N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 (i.e. NJ DWI Law) provides generally that a person may be charged with DWI if he “permits another person who is under the influence … to operate a motor vehicle owned by him or in his custody or control or permits another to operate …” So yes, it is possible for a passenger to be charged with DWI for what sometimes is referred to as an “allowing” charge. It is usually a rare charge because the State has to prove that the allowing was a “knowing” type of allowing – but why take the chance.
Answer: A DWI conviction does not carry with it DMV points. However, a DWI conviction does result in insurance eligibility points which translate into insurance rate increases. Most carriers look back three years. The careless driving summons, as you note, is a two point ticket. However, note that an at fault accident resulting in a payment of $500.00 or more may also result in insurance eligibility points. This might be so even though the careless driving summons was reduced to a no point violation.
Answer: This is a common question. Currently, there is not a procedure in New Jersey whereby a properly imposed license revocation for a DWI conviction can be lessened. There may be other avenues of possible attack – for example, the revocation period may have been unlawful (highly rare), the guilty plea may have been taken improperly and therefore subject to being vacated or there might be a constitutional defect with regard to the trial procedure which would allow for the judgment being vacated and new trial to be granted. These avenues are usually long shots, but nonetheless, available as possibilities. Further, there is generally a five year time constraint (extended upon good cause) within which to bring certain of the applications to open up the case(s).
Answer: This does not obviate the responsibility to pay the surcharge.
Answer: If the gap between the 2nd and 3rd is less than ten years, the 3rd is regarded as a 3rd offense for sentencing purposes (even though the 1st is over ten years ago).
Answer: New Jersey can enter a money judgment against you for the amount due. The judgment can result in enforcement measures in New Jersey or in your home State to collect that judgment, can effect your credit, and could prevent you from obtaining a license in another State. The judgment also means that your driving privileges are revoked in New Jersey – if you are caught driving in NJ, you will be subject to penalties for driving with a revoked/suspended driver’s license (N.J.S. 39:3-40).
Answer: The State has to prove “operation” — this can be done with direct proof of operation (i.e., witness), proof of an intent to drive, or proof that the car was driven (i.e., there is an inference that the car was operated). Whether the State can prove their case is dependent on the specific facts in your case.
Answer: The State does not necessarily need a .10 blood alcohol concentration reading to charge and convict for DWI. However, given the low reading, generally, a DWI prosecution would be difficult unless the observation evidence (how you performed on the balance tests and how you appeared generally) is otherwise very strong. Experienced counsel with the assistance of an outside field sobriety testing expert should be able to expose the weaknesses in the State’s case.
Answer: NJ only has the jurisdiction (i.e., authority) to suspend your NJ license. As to the effect on your FL license, you are guided to speak with a FL DWI attorney since I am not licensed to practice law there.
Answer: If your second DWI occurs more that 10 years after your first offense, the court must treat the defendant as a first offender for sentencing purposes. However, if a subsequent 3rd offense occurs and that offense is within ten years of the 2nd, the defendant is treated as a 3rd offender.
Answer: There is no legal requirement that you have a lawyer for a DWI charge. A lawyer is however, most often a wise choice. An experienced DWI Lawyer can, among other things, look for defects in the State’s case which may translate into a finding of not guilty on the charge.
Question: “In April 1983 I plead guilty to dwi, surrendered my license and paid the fines. I moved out of state and never received any further notifications. now 19 yrs. Later I received a bill for 3yrs. surcharge($1000) per yr., 350 reinstatement fees and interest.My attorney never mentioned the surcharge fees at that time and having recently moved I just threw the records out. Am I responsible for these charges? I don’t think its worth $4500 to drive the NJ Turnpike. Thanks.
Answer: Yes, you are obligated to pay the surcharges.
Answer: In NJ, DWI is regarded as a motor vehicle offense. A record of the conviction becomes part of your permanent motor vehicle (DMV) record.
Answer: The State would have to prove that the other person knowingly allowed you to drive while intoxicated to charge and convict.
Answer: No, this is public information open to the press.
Answer: The Police are required to advise you of your “Miranda Rights” once you are in their custody. The Police do not have to take your finger prints.
Answer: Yes, “you can be charged with DWI.” The State will, however, have the burden of proving operation either by an intent to operate, witness of operation, an inference that you did drive, or by admission of driving. The State will also have to show that the breath tests were conducted within a reasonable period of time from the operation.
Answer: Insurance is available through the Assigned Risk Plan in New Jersey. This is insurance for so called “high risk” drivers. I have heard of rates going up three times following a DWI Conviction.
Answer: Yes, you would be sentenced as a 2nd offender upon a guilty plea or guilty finding.
Answer: Upon a conviction for a 3rd offense, the Court must impose a 180 day jail sentence. However, the law further allows the jail to be split as follows: 90 days community service, and 90 days of inpatient substance abuse rehabilitation. The 90 day inpatient stay can be further reduced provided that the facility director petitions the Court and advises that it is medically appropriate for the patient to be released to outpatient care for the balance of the 90 days. There are sometimes sentencing issues whereby the 3rd offender status can be compromised (i.e., the jail can be eliminated). One would have to carefully review the important facts of your son’s case. Your son most definitely needs an attorney.
Question: I am a college student going to Monmouth University. I have to write a paper about drunk driving in New Jersey and there are a few questions I am having trouble finding the answers to. 1. What is the difference between a DWI and DUI? 2. What is the history/background of drunk driving? 3. What is the significance of this problem? 4. What are the effects and causes of drunk driving? 5. What has been done to solve this problem in the past? What are possible solutions?
Answer: 1. DWI is an acronym for Driving While Intoxicated — DUI is an acronym for Driving Under the Influence. In New Jersey and in most States, there is no distinction between the two.
2. The “history and backround” of Drunk Driving — wow, that is a broad question and one which I cannot properly answer here. I would suggest that you begin your analysis with New Jersey’s DWI Statute (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50), our lawmakers pronouncement of what is prohibited and the penalties. You can find the Statute in the a Law Library at your County Court House. Go to the “Annotations” which contain precedent known as “case law” which interprets the Statute. You can also access the “Legislative History” of the Statute at your Law Library – this will show you what was on our lawmakers minds when they enacted the laws and the changes to it over the years.
Answer: If you are convicted or plead guilty to DWI, there is law holding that the prior refusal conviction should not be treated as a prior violation for purposes of enhancing your sentencing status. see State v. DiSomma, 262 N.J. Super. 375 (App. Div. 1993). Thus, the DWI should be considered a first for sentencing purposes.
Answer: If you do not pay the surcharge, when the three years is up and you want to go back to driving, you will be suspended for failing to pay the surcharges. Further, DMV will tack on interest and costs and your failure to pay may result in a formal judgment being entered against you. You may have your assets levied, and the judgment will be on your credit history. The answer to your question is yes, you can decide not to pay the surcharges, but note the consequences of failing to do.
Answer: This is sometimes called a “step down” – if a 2nd offense occurs more than 10 years after the 1st offense, the court must treat the 2nd as a first for sentencing purposes. However, note that upon a 3rd conviction, if the gap between 2nd and 3rd offenses is more than 10 years, the Defendant is to be treated as a 2nd offender, not a 3rd. Further, if a 3rd occurs within the 10 years of the 2nd, the Defendant is treated as a 3rd offender — that is even if the gap between the 1st and 2nd is greater than 10 years and the Defendant was treated as a 1st offender for his 2nd offense.
Question: Is it true that the breath analyzer must be administered twice, and results be in a narrow margin for it to be used?
Answer: The “Breathalyzer”, used in New Jersey, must be administered two times within fifteen minutes, with samples within .01 of one another — the lowest of the two reading is used for proof purposes.
Answer: The State has 90 days to issue another ticket for DWI. You need to sit tight — experienced counsel would benefit you here. The prior DWI may very well be looked at by the Prosecutor in assessing a recommended license revocation for the reckless driving charge. The amount of alcohol (albeit under the per se limit of .10%) will be an issue in Court. The consumption of alcohol is the State’s theory in writing the Reckless ticket.
Answer: There are far too many variables for me to go out on a limb to answer this question in this open forum. The best rule of thumb is to not take the chance by trying to gauge your intoxication.
Answer: No – NJ does not currently allow for a conditional license for work or otherwise.
Answer: The “statute of limitations” applies to the issuance of the summons and complaint only. You probably have a warrant — to confirm the status, contact the court administrator. Good Luck.
Answer: The “school zone” enhancements in the New Jersey DWI Statute currently apply regardless of the time of day, and whether school is in session or whether children are present.
Answer: It depends on what you mean by “bad.” In terms of sentencing (if you were to be found guilty or pleaded guilty), a .13% B.A.C. is not regarded by most courts as an exasperating factor which would cause the Court to impose penalties beyond the mandatory minimums. However, the B.A.C. has to be taken into consideration with all the other facts (e.g., driving pattern, driving record, relations with the cops to name a few). I hope this responds to your concerns.
Answer: Currently, there is no procedure in New Jersey to expunge or remove a DWI conviction from your New Jersey DMV driving record.
Answer: Something just does not appear accurate. How can the State allege . 01% BAC without a breathalyzer reading? Further, with a . 01% reading (90% under NJ per se limit of. 10%), are you sure the charge was DWI as opposed to underage DWI?
Answer: The Court will issue a “bench warrant” for the defendant’s arrest with a stated bail. The New Jersey DMV will also revoke the driving privileges of the defendant indefinitely until the defendant responds to the ticket and fully resolves the matter.
Answer: There is no “expungement” procedure available in New Jersey to eliminate a DWI conviction from your NJ driving record. The only way to eliminate a prior conviction would be to go back into the convicting courts to either vacate the guilty pleas, or to move for other “post conviction relief.” The chances are usually slim given the age of the case(s), but, the possibility (as opposed to the probability) is technically there.
Answer: Yes, currently, the law allows NJ DMV to impose the yearly DWI surcharge even though you live outside of New Jersey.
Answer: The conviction will remain a part of the driver’s permanent dmv record. However, in specific answer to your question, a second conviction for DWI would be treated as a first offense for sentencing purposes because there is a gap of ten years between offenses.
Answer: At the outset, note that there is no right to a lawyer or advice of counsel before giving breath samples. The police are requires to read a suspect a “standard statement of rights” before the breath testing — the statement advises a suspect of, among other things, the consequences of refusing to submit.
Answer: No, if your privileges are suspended in NJ (and they should be for your failure to pay the surcharges), it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle in the state of New Jersey even though you have a valid license in another State which may be in good standing.
Question: “My wife had a single car accident on the NJ turnpike which she had to call 911 to get help. She had suffered head and face injures. She was given a FST and then sent off to the hospital. Three days later we received three tickets in the mail from the helpful state police. She was cited with careless driving, driving without a seat belt and no registration. I have two questions First how can the police issue these tickets when the infractions where not in there presence as stated in 39:5-25. Also could the state request a blood sample without my wife’s permission or knowledge. Thank you.
Answer: The State can issue any tickets they wish — however, they must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In State v. Wenzel, 113 N.J. Super., 215, 216-18 (App. Div. 1971), the Court held that the single fact of an “otherwise unexplained jackknifing” where a tractor-trailer jackknifed on the wet roadway, crossed into the opposite lane and broadsided another truck, did not establish a violation of the careless driving statute. See Also: State v. Lutz, 309 N.J. Super. 317 (App. Div. 1998) Found On Line @ http://lawlibrary.rutgers.edu/decisions/appellate/a5933-96.opn.html where there was an accident and a statement of the defendant that his vehicle began to slide on the wet highway and continued to slide as he applied his brakes. The Court held that this statement alone (again, there were no other witnesses), coupled with the defendant’s apology were insufficient to prove careless driving.
Answer: You need to pay off the surcharge — you should contact DMV to find out the amount and payment instructions. Sometimes, NJ DMV will give a clearance if a payment plan is entered into, however, given the age of your conviction, I suspect that the amount you owe may be reduced to a judgment being handled by a third party collector. Usually, when these surcharges get this aged, you need to pay the total before getting clearance for a NJ License. Again, you should contact DMV to find out the specifics of the surcharge, and whether you have any other matters outstanding.
Answer: This is an interesting issue — the answer to your question is Yes. Assuming that you plead guilty or are found guilty of DWI or New York’s lesser offense, known as DWAI, the conviction will be shared with New Jersey. Thereafter, New Jersey DMV will most probably give credit to the conviction by a virtue of a doctrine known as reciprocity. If this is a first offense for you, DMV will seek to suspend your NJ privileges for 6 months and impose the $1,000.00 yearly surcharge for 3 years. If you have prior DWI offenses, the penalties are different.
Answer: The “Statute of Limitations” would not apply since the charges have been filed and your sister simply has not appeared in response to the charges.
Answer: If the surcharge has been reduced to a “judgment,” the amount due would be a lien on any real estate owned by the judgment debtor (i.e., the person who owes the money). Any judgment would have to be paid before closing or withheld from the sale proceeds in order for the buyer to receive clear title.
Question: Is there a statute of limitations on the$1000 per year DMV surcharge if you no longer drive or reside in N.J.?
Question: Is that debt ever forgiven?
Question: How long does a DWI in NJ stay on my record?
Answer: The conviction will remain part of your permanent NJ DMV driving record.
Question: Is there a law regarding how long an officer must wait before administering a breathalyzer test? If so, could violation of this render the results useless?
Answer: Training and procedure call for the breathalyzer operator to observe the Defendant for a full 20 minutes prior to administering the breathalyzer. I assume this is what you mean by “wait” in your question. The purpose of the 20 minute observation is to assure that any mouth alcohol has dissipated and to assure that nothing foreign is placed in the mouth cavity.
Question: this happened to me, please advise. after leaving a bar, i decided that i had too much to drink. i pulled to the side, shoulder, of the road, turned off my car, removed the keys from the ignition and placed them on the floor of the back-seat, reclined the drivers seat and went to sleep. i was awakened by the police, given a field test and arrested. i was given a breath test which came out as a .10 (i think). I had every intention of not driving and if necessary, calling someone to come pick me up. I await your response.
Answer: In NJ, the State does not have to prove actual operation of the car as an element of the DWI offense. The State, to show “operation” of the vehicle in cases where there is none observed, must show (beyond a reasonable doubt) either (1) an intent to drive (where for example, one enters a car and manifests an intent to drive), or (2) that the car was driven (by inference — where for example a car is on the side of a busy highway parked).
Question: I am licensed in the state of NJ but was arrested in Florida for DWI. Will I be eligible for a work permit to drive in NJ for work or will my license be revoked completely? Also, will the community service, if imposed, be done in NJ or Florida?
Answer: New Jersey does not allow for work permits — although Florida law does, New Jersey Law would not follow Florida’s sentence in this regard. As to the “community service”, you would need to check with Florida to see whether they would allow it to be transferred to New Jersey. This would be completely up to Florida. The consequences in New Jersey you asked about all assume you are convicted in Florida. Your first line of defense is an attorney in Florida who is committed to defending DWI charges.
Question: What are the penalties for NJ Statute 39:4-50a, allowing a person under the influence to drive? Thank you.
Answer: The penalties for “allowing” DWI are the same as for “operating” DWI.
Question: I wondering if dwi offenses include any points on license. And also is it common to receive other summons on top of the dwi summons like reckless driving and a failure to stay within lanes. Because this is what I was issued. it doesn’t seem right to get the other two summons.
Answer: A DWI conviction does not result in DMV “points” — insurance companies are, however, allowed to assess “eligibility points” against you resulting in increased insurance rates (typically, through the “assigned risk” plan in New Jersey). It is common that a DWI charge will be accompanied by other moving violations, such as failing to maintain lane, careless driving, etc.
Question: I was recently arrested for a second DWI within a 2 year period. I am seeking alcohol treatment for this problem. Is jail time mandatory on a 2nd offense or are there alternatives which the court can impose such as community service, additional treatment? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Answer: There is a mandatory minimum 2 day jail sentence — however, the Court may, in their discretion, allow that 48 hours to be served in the Intoxicated Driver’s Resource Center. Good luck with your case and treatment.
Question: Is it possible the NJ DMV surcharge of $3000 ($1000/yr for 3 years) must be paid up front at the time of court appearance?
Answer: No. The surcharge is collected by DMV — you will be billed $1,000.00 each year by DMV.
Question: Can the police take a blood sample from a person without any form of consent where there is an accident involving injuries to both driver’s?
Answer: Yes, provided that the police have probable cause to believe that the person is DWI.
Question: I was convicted of N.J.S.A. 39:4 – 50 (a) in 1991. I am wondering if at this point it is possible to expunge my record of this conviction.
Answer: No, unfortunately, there is currently no mechanism whereby a DWI conviction can be “expunged” from the driving record. As to insurance surcharges, generally they should last only three years (although the conviction will still show up on your DMV driver’s abstract). There are procedures available to either vacate a guilty plea or to try and vacate a guilty verdict, those issues are beyond the scope of your question.
Question: Before you submit to a Breathalyzer test, are you permitted to request that either a lawyer or a physician be called?
Answer: No – however, you are entitled to have independent tests conducted of your breath, blood or urine by someone of your own choosing. The police are required to advise you of this right prior to administering the breath tests.
Question: (cont’d)… and more importantly if you are read both your Miranda warnings and the Refusal warnings, and simply are unable to understand such (not because of being under the influence but because of education) are you entitled to have someone else opinion of what to do (e.g., lawyer, physician, parent, etc.) before you say no or yes?
Answer: No, you are not entitled to have someone else explain the rights to you. There may be other defenses available (assuming you were issued a charge of Refusal) which can only be assessed after carefully reviewing all of the facts and circumstances. One possible defense is commonly referred to as the “confusion doctrine” — basically, that you were confused between the conflicting Miranda rights and your obligation to give samples of your breath.
Answer: A charge of Refusal to Submit to Breath Samples does not equal an “automatic conviction”, not will such a charge result in an automatic license revocation by the state of New Jersey. The State has the burden of proof as to each element of the charge, including the charge of Refusal. The State may charge both DWI and Refusal to Submit arising out of the same alleged incident.
Question: “Are there programs that better train New Jersey police in detecting and coping with drunk drivers?
Answer: The most exhaustive and reliable testing training protocol for detecting intoxicated drivers is a course entitled “DWI Detection And Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.” The course materials were prepared from detailed research sanctioned by the United States Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Question: What are the chances of me either being put in jail or the slap program for a blood sample showing my b.a.c. @.36? I’m nervous and I was advised to get a lawyer, but would that be unwise to plead not guilty at the arraignment?
Answer: A high blood alcohol concentration (b.a.c.) such as the one alleged here by the State is almost always considered an “aggravating” circumstance to courts when deciding on a sentence (upon a finding of guilt or a plea of guilt). This means that most courts will be inclined to impose a sentence beyond the minimums allowed by New Jersey law.
Question: My son has been charged for dwi. I think this will be his third time. He was charged when he was 18 then again when he was 25 and now for the third time at 33 will this count for his third offense or second?
Answer: The law in New Jersey is this: “[I]f a third offense occurs more than 10 years after the second offense, the court shall treat the third conviction as a second offense for sentencing purposes.” see N.J.S.A. 39:4-50(a)(3).
Question: Is it true that if you have an out of state license and are stopped in NJ for DUI, that you are issued a NJ license on the spot and it is immediately suspended so that you CANNOT drive in NJ until the surcharge is paid to the state?
Answer: No, New Jersey does not impose an “immediate” license revocation (or revocation of driving privileges) when a driver is merely charged with DWI (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50). There is misinformation floating around the Internet in this regard which suggests that New Jersey will impose a revocation before a DWI charge is adjudicated.
Call on New Jersey DWI lawyer, Greggory M. Marootian when you need experienced professionals to give you the facts, and restore your integrity.

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