Under 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. …
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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 …
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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 …
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Read MoreA DUI charge is disruptive on its own but can be much more so if you were planning to leave the state when you were arrested. Can you move out of state with a pending DUI? If you do, will the DUI/DWI charge follow you and cause interruptions in your life? Below, we answer these …
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Read MoreAccording to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol-related auto accidents claim over 10,000 lives and cost the country over $52 billion a year. This can explain why New Jersey has very strict DWI laws and penalties and why getting charged with a DWI can be scary. Don’t lose hope, however, if you’ve been …
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Read MoreDUI, which means “driving under the influence,” and DWI, or “driving while intoxicated” are both terms used to describe the act of operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Every state has slightly varying laws concerning these charges, with some using the terms interchangeably. Is there a difference between DUI vs. …
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Read MoreNew Jersey DUI Criminal Defense Attorney When you are stopped for a DUI or DWI (driving while intoxicated) in New Jersey, you can face serious penalties regardless of whether or not you face criminal charges. Under New Jersey criminal law, a drunk driving charge is commonly considered to be a quasi-criminal offense. This means that …
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Read MoreWAYNE, N.J. – On Thursday, a suspected DUI driver caused a crash in which a child sustained life-threatening injuries. The boy was nearly killed in the accident that happened around 6 p.m. The accident spot was marked by a spray of pink color. It was a chain reaction and Kaitlyn Uscinski was a victim of …
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Read MoreAttorney Matthew Portella Brings to Light Major News for DWI Cases A New Jersey-based Criminal Defense Attorney Reports on a Critical Error Made by Law Enforcement in DWI cases Haddon Heights, NJ: Attorney Matthew Portella has been practicing law in the area of criminal defense for over 20 years. He firmly believes that as part …
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Read MoreSPARTA, N.J. – Last week, a motorist was taken into custody by the Sparta police who was driving under the influence of alcohol without a license. According to Sgt. Dennis Proctor, Cpl. Rob Fraser and Officer Tom Herd were on-duty and on patrol at Main Street near the Goddard School, when a 2003 Buick came …
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