Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a serious offense that can have serious consequences. It is important to understand that you can face DWI charges if you are accused of driving while under the influence of several different types of substances, not just alcohol. According to New Jersey law, driving while intoxicated charge can result from …
Continue reading "DWI Statistics by Substance"
Read MoreUnder N.J.S.A. 39:4-50(a), a person may not operate a motor vehicle “while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, narcotic, or habit producing the drug.” A DWI is a serious traffic offense in New Jersey. Being arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated can be stressful, confusing, and frightening. At the Law Office of Matthew V. …
Continue reading "What to Expect After Being Charged With a DWI"
Read MoreLike every other U.S. state, the legal age for consuming alcohol in New Jersey is 21 years old. Under New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15), an individual can be cited for a criminal offense for underage possession and/or consumption of alcohol. Beyond the laws against drinking while younger than 21, the state also has a specialized …
Continue reading "Penalties for Underage DWI"
Read MoreTechnically speaking, New Jersey does not have “felonies” and “misdemeanors.” Instead, the state classifies offenses as “indictable crimes” and “disorderly persons” offenses. As a result, this raises an important question: “if I am cited for a traffic violation in New Jersey, have I been charged with a crime?” The short answer is “no.” Traffic violations …
Continue reading "Are Traffic Violations in NJ Considered Crimes?"
Read MoreWhile not one of the most severe charges under New Jersey law, a conviction for disorderly conduct carries significant penalties including fines and jail time. There are many myths and misconceptions about what exactly constitutes disorderly conduct under state law. At the Law Office of Matthew V. Portella, LLC, we make sure you understand your …
Continue reading "What is Disorderly Conduct?"
Read MoreAs broadly defined by the New Jersey State Police’s outline, domestic violence is “a pattern of physical, emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse, which includes, but is not limited to, threats, intimidation, isolation, and/or financial control.” To better understand the issue of domestic abuse, it is useful to look at the data. In this article, our …
Continue reading "Statistics of Domestic Violence in the US "
Read MoreWhen domestic violence accusations are made against someone, the alleged victim may seek a restraining order against the alleged perpetrator. In New Jersey, a court can enter a temporary restraining order with relatively little evidence. In this article, our New Jersey domestic violence defense lawyer discusses the key things to know about restraining orders in …
Continue reading "Restraining Orders in a Domestic Violence Case"
Read MoreAccording to data provided by the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), approximately 26,500 people are convicted of DWI offenses in the state each year. Tens of thousands more are cited for reckless driving. In many cases, a defendant could face a DWI charge and a reckless driving charge at the …
Continue reading "Difference Between DWI and Reckless Driving"
Read MoreScholarship winner, Arianna Davis We would like to congratulate Arianna Davis for being selected as the 2021 recipient of the Law Office of Matthew V. Portella, LLC $500 scholarship! Arianna Davis is a junior at Rutgers University studying English with a minor in Film Studies. She made Dean’s Lists during the end of her freshman year …
Continue reading "2021 Law Office of Matthew V. Portella, LLC’s scholarship winner"
Read MoreOn February 22, 2021, Governor Phil Murphy signed a series of cannabis reform bills into law. The legislation legalizes recreational cannabis use and possession for adults 21 years old and older. It decriminalizes certain marijuana offenses and changed the penalties from criminal to civil fines. The action has received mixed reactions. While some appreciate the …
Continue reading "The 2021 New Jersey Marijuana Legalization"
Read More