If you or someone you love has been charged with a DUI/DWI in Fort Lee, New Jersey, contacting one of our Fort Lee DWI defense attorneys at the Aretsky Law Group should be the first thing you do. It is important to take these charges seriously and act quickly to avoid losing your license. Our DWI attorneys in Fort Lee strategize on how best to lessen charges, penalties, or even fight for a dismissal, which will reduce the effect of a DUI on your record and your life. Our skilled Fort Lee DWI defense lawyers are committed to defending your rights and bring the expertise necessary to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Fort Lee, Bergen CountyExcessive speed, distracted driving, and impaired driving—whether from drugs or alcohol—remain the leading causes of fatal crashes in New Jersey. To combat this, police departments across the state receive grants twice a year as part of the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" initiative. This statewide effort aims to curb drunk driving. Fort Lee, located in Bergen County, was rated 15th in the state for the number of DWI’s based on data that was gathered on the number of citations issued, using statistics from the state judiciary's municipal court records. In Bergen County New Jersey, there are almost 3,000 miles of roadway with some heavily travelled roads like Interstate 80, the Garden State Parkway and the Turnpike. With this many roadways, it is not unusual that there are thousands of DWI arrests each year in Bergen County – over 1,800 DUI arrests were made this past year alone.
New Jersey’s Drunk Driving LawsIn New Jersey the terms DUI/DWI is charged as a traffic offense rather than a criminal offense, however, there are severe penalties associated with the charges including potential jail time and suspension of your driver’s license. So these charges should not be taken lightly.
When faced with DWI charges you will go before a municipal court judge who decides the outcome and assesses the penalties. It is not a jury trial. The penalties associated with the charges will depend on the amount of alcohol found in your system from a breathalyzer test and the number of prior offenses you have committed, among other factors.
In New Jersey, you can be charged with a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) if you operate a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. One of the most common ways to face this charge is if your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher. For drivers under the age of 21, a BAC as low as 0.01% can lead to a DWI, while commercial drivers may be charged if their BAC is 0.04% or above. Refusing to take a breathalyzer test when asked by law enforcement can also result in DWI-related charges, as New Jersey's "implied consent" law requires drivers to submit to such tests.
Beyond alcohol, you can be charged with a DWI if you're found to be under the influence of drugs—whether prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal—while driving. In addition to breath tests, failing a field sobriety test, such as walking in a straight line or standing on one leg, can be used as evidence of impairment. If a police officer observes erratic driving behaviors, such as swerving or speeding, they may stop your vehicle and conduct tests to assess impairment, which could lead to a DWI charge.
Defense StrategiesThere are several defense strategies that can be used to challenge a DWI charge in Fort Lee, New Jersey. One common approach is questioning the accuracy of the breathalyzer or blood test results. Breathalyzer machines must be properly calibrated and maintained, and errors in administration can lead to inaccurate readings. Another strategy is to dispute the legality of the traffic stop—police officers must have reasonable suspicion to pull a driver over, and if this is not established, the stop itself may be deemed invalid.
Additionally, a defense attorney might challenge the field sobriety tests, arguing that external factors like poor road conditions, health issues, or even nervousness could have affected the driver's performance. In cases involving drugs, the defense could argue that the substance in question did not actually impair the driver's ability to operate the vehicle safely. By examining these potential weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, a skilled DWI attorney can work to reduce or dismiss the charges.
We Are Here to HelpHaving an attorney for a DWI case in Fort Lee, New Jersey is crucial because as you can see the legal system can be complex, and the penalties for a conviction severe. A skilled attorney like ours at the Aretsky Law Group understands the intricacies of DWI laws and can evaluate the evidence, such as the accuracy of breathalyzer tests or the legality of the traffic stop, to identify potential weaknesses in the prosecution's case. We can also negotiate with prosecutors to reduce charges or penalties, potentially avoiding harsh consequences like license suspension, hefty fines, or jail time. Without proper legal representation, it’s easy to miss opportunities to challenge the case, and then you might end up facing the full brunt of the law, even in situations where the evidence is questionable. Our experienced DWI attorneys will guide you through the process and work toward the best possible outcome for you. So don’t wait, call us today to schedule a free consultation 201-580-3411.