The summer months are certainly a great time to enjoy the many sites and activities that New Jersey has to offer. It is also a time, during which most of us spend more time on the roads, heading back and forth to picnics, beaches, restaurants and other summer holiday eve
nts.
The State and local police are well aware of this increase in motorist activity and will carefully plan speed traps, sobriety checkpoints and traffic enforcement details. As a result, certain areas in New Jersey are targets of heightened enforcement efforts over the summer, making your chances of needing a DWI defense attorney in Princeton, Robbinsville, Hamilton and West Windsor increase.
All it takes is an officer to have a reasonable suspicion that a motor vehicle violation of any type has taken place, in order for them to initiate a stop of your vehicle and investigate the possibility of you being either under the influence of alcohol, or in possession of illegal drugs.
Smelling alcohol on your breath, or coming from within the vehicle, will undoubtedly result in you being asked to step out onto the road, and undergo a series of “psychophysical coordination tests” which are basically designed for you to fail. The officer will make note of how you perform on these tests, as well as everything you say and everything you do, in order to attempt to establish probable cause to require you to submit to a breath test.
If the officer feels that he or she has probable cause, you will be required to give breath samples. There is no right to refuse, and a refusal will result in an additional serious charge being filed against you.
If an officer smells the odor of marijuana, either burnt or un-burnt, coming from within your vehicle, then this will constitute probable cause to remove you and all passengers, and ask that you consent to a search.
All law enforcement officers are trained to recognize the effects of drugs and alcohol on motorists, and the summer months often provide a rich opportunity to put their skills into practice.
The penalties for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and possession of drugs in New Jersey are severe. They can include jail time, loss of driving privilege, and significant fines and penalties. Think of what these charges can do to your life. Seek advice from an attorney who has spent years successfully defending such matters, throughout the State. Call us at 1.609.588.9900 or contact us online.
Make good choices this summer and enjoy this beautiful weather.