Clark DUI Attorney
One bad night on the road in Clark, NJ could destroy your life. If you are pulled over by police and arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in Clark or anywhere else in New Jersey, you should expect to be taken to jail and charged with DWI. But that will just be the beginning of your problems. Whether you were charged with a DWI for failing a field sobriety test, your blood alcohol level exceeded 0.08% when you blew into the breathalyzer, or you were charged with Refusal to Submit to a Breath Test, the consequences of a conviction could be catastrophic. For one thing, you may be looking at a lengthy suspension of your driving privileges in New Jersey. Additionally, depending on the circumstances of your case and your prior driving record, you could be subject to mandatory jail time. New Jersey also requires ignition interlock devices for those convicted of driving under the influence, meaning you must foot the bill for the device itself and test your blood alcohol every time you want to drive your car. With the repercussions at hand, you need to speak with an experienced Clark DWI defense attorney immediately.
At William Proetta Criminal Law we have successfully represented scores of clients facing DUI charges throughout Union County and New Jersey. Moreover, founding attorney Will Proetta holds dual certification as an Instructor for the Standard Field Sobriety Testing used by the police and as an operator of the Alcotest machine (New Jersey’s breathalyzer). Our firm has taken these extra steps and specialized training in order to give our clients a better advantage in the defense of their cases. If you would like to discuss your options with one of our Clark NJ DUI lawyers, contact us at (908) 838-0150 for a free initial consultation.
DUI Charges in Clark New Jersey
Clark is a small middle class township in southern Union County with a relatively small police force. However, the township writes a large amount of DWI and Refusal tickets on a yearly basis. A major contributing factor to the high volume of DWI tickets written in Clark, New Jersey each year is because the Garden State Parkway runs directly through the town and provides access at exit 135. This stretch of highway is patrolled by New Jersey State Troopers who aggressively stop and ticket individuals suspected of drunk driving.
Drunk driving offenses in New Jersey are governed under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50. A DWI offense, also known as Driving While Intoxicated, is perhaps the most serious traffic violation that a person can commit in NJ. If a person attempts to drive or otherwise operate a motor vehicle and that person has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above the legal limit, law enforcement will likely place that individual under arrest and charge them with a DWI. Blood alcohol concentration or content is measured in terms of volume of alcohol per liter of blood. When it comes to BAC, anything above .08 percent is above the legal limit and will result in a DWI charge. For certain types of motorists, such as commercial vehicle drivers and underage drivers, the legal limit is even lower.
What Happens when You get Arrested for DWI in Clark, NJ
If police pull you over in Clark on suspicion of driving under the influence, they may ask you to take a breath test that will measure your blood alcohol concentration. Some motorists mistakenly think that they do not have to consent to a breath test when asked by police. This is not true. Every motorist in New Jersey automatically consents to taking a breath test. What this means is that if you refuse to take a breathalyzer test when asked, you can be charged with an additional offense for Breath Test Refusal. Moreover, it is important to understand that a person can still be charged with a DWI even if they do not take a breath test and register a BAC above .08 percent. This is because police can arrest you on suspicion of DWI based on their observations of your behavior during a traffic stop and/or while performing field sobriety tests. Beyond that, the officer’s observations can be used in court as evidence against you.
Whether you were arrested by a State Trooper or Clark Township police officer, you will ultimately be required to appear in Clark Municipal Court to address your charges. It is strongly advised that you contact a defense attorney well in advance of your court date so you may be properly prepared and represented in court. There is a lot of work that must be done on your lawyers end and these cases often require numerous appearances over several months.
Clark DWI & Refusal Lawyer
It shouldn’t be a secret that DUI cases can be tough uphill battles that normally hard fought. New Jersey does not allow the prosecutor any plea bargaining on defendant’s facing driving while intoxicated charges. Moreover, if you set your case for trial you be not be availed to a jury trial – but instead the municipal judge will have sole discretion over your fate. Furthermore, the municipal court is under pressure by the administrative office of the courts (AOC) to resolve these cases within 60 days of the arrest which is a short period of time for a lot of work. To make matters worse, New Jersey does not offer any sort of “hardship” or work license for individuals who have been suspended for DWI. To fight the state’s aggressive prosecution you need a tough defense attorney with the experience and knowledge to challenge the state’s proofs and create leverage. At the William Proetta Criminal Law we take DWI defense very seriously and we have the tools you need to win. To speak with an experienced DUI attorney about representation, contact us at (908) 838-0150.