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Read MoreIn New Jersey, as per N.J.S.A. 39:4-50(a), operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal. Contrary to common belief, a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) is not classified as a crime or a disorderly persons offense in the state. Instead, it is a traffic offense. Despite this, a DWI can …
Continue reading "The Long-Term Impact of a DWI on Your Employment Prospects: An In-Depth Analysis"
Read MoreBeing pulled over and arrested for intoxicated driving is stressful. You could face serious penalties, especially if there is a minor in the vehicle at the time of the DUI arrest. Our state has enhanced penalties for drunk driving offenses if there is a child or minor teenager in the car. In this article, our …
Continue reading "What Happens If I Am Arrested for a DWI with a Minor in the Car in New Jersey?"
Read MoreScholarship winner, Leah Moskalow We congratulate Leah Moskalow for being selected as the 2023 recipient of the Law Office of Matthew V. Portella, LLC $500 scholarship! Leah Moskalow Leah Moskalow is a recent graduate of Winslow Township High School and will be attending Rutgers University – Camden to major in Biology and minor in Art. …
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Read MoreThe Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE) program is an intensive training program that teaches law enforcement officers how to identify and evaluate drivers who are suspected of being impaired by drugs. The program was developed in the 1970s by the Los Angeles Police Department and has since been adopted by law enforcement agencies across the country, …
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Read MoreThe U.S. Constitution protects people against unreasonable searches and seizures. Police officers generally need to get a warrant from a judge to conduct a search. However, there are some limited exceptions. In this article, our New Jersey criminal defense attorney provides an overview of the key things to know about your search warrants, the legal …
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Read MoreAs a general rule, a law enforcement officer in New Jersey needs a valid reason to stop a driver. In other words, they need “reasonable suspicion” that the driver has committed a traffic infraction or a criminal offense. However, a DWI checkpoint is an exception. DWI checkpoints have been upheld as constitutional by our nation’s …
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Read MoreImpaired driving is one of the most common traffic offenses. According to data published by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, an average of 26,500 people are convicted of a DWI or a related offense in the state each year. To be convicted of a DWI in New Jersey, a prosecutor must prove that …
Continue reading "Legal Definition of Intoxicated"
Read MoreAccording to data provided by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), nearly 1.4 million Americans are arrested on DWI charges each year. Although anyone could be arrested on suspicion of impaired driving, the data is clear: Younger drivers are more likely to be charged with a DWI; and Male drivers are more likely to be …
Continue reading "DWI Statistics By Age and Gender"
Read MoreDWI charges can be defended on a number of different grounds. In some cases, police officers make serious errors that violate the rights of the accused and/or render the evidence that they collected unreliable or inadmissible during the trial A DWI charge could potentially be dismissed because of law enforcement misconduct. In this article, our …
Continue reading "Common Law Enforcement Mistakes When Making a DWI Arrest"
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