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Proving Intoxication & DWI Testing

DWI-DUI Lawyer Essex County, NJ

Being tested for intoxication, understanding the results, and navigating the legal consequences can be overwhelming. Knowing how driving while intoxicated (DWI) testing works and the seriousness of these charges can help you feel more in control. DWI attorney Steven Ellman can explain the legal process and potential consequences that follow a DWI charge and build a strong defense for you.

No one wants to be part of the New Jersey criminal defense system. If you face drunk driving charges or a potential conviction, have an

experienced attorney by your side. Steven Ellman helps individuals seek the best possible outcome. A DWI charge is different from a conviction, and he can help. Contact the Law Office of Steven Ellman today for a free consultation.

What Is a DWI in New Jersey?

A DWI charge in New Jersey means you are driving while legally intoxicated or under the use of drugs. The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in New Jersey is 0.08 percent. For those under 21, any detectable amount of alcohol (0.01 BAC or above) is grounds for a DWI.

The consequences of a DWI conviction in New Jersey are serious. They include:

Fines
Loss of driving privileges (license suspension)
Jail time
Mandatory participation in an alcohol education or treatment program
Insurance surcharges, in addition to increased premiums
Ignition interlock system
Community service
Fees to various state programs that discourage drunk driving or provide services to victims of vehicular crimes
Loss of reputation and damage to personal relationships

The penalties become more severe with each subsequent offense if the event includes a minor or someone suffers injuries or loss of life.

How Is Intoxication Proven?

If the police pull you over or you enter a sobriety checkpoint, they have several methods to determine if you are over the legal limit. Common methods for intoxication to be proven include field sobriety tests and breath tests.

Typically conducted by the side of the road during the traffic stop, field sobriety tests are cognitive or physical tasks that would be difficult for an intoxicated individual to perform successfully. These tasks might include maintaining your balance while standing on one leg, walking in a straight line, or reciting the alphabet in reverse order. Failing these tests can indicate intoxication and prompt police to perform additional DWI testing.

For breath tests, individuals blow into the mouthpiece of a breathalyzer, which measures the amount of alcohol in the breath to estimate their blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The breath test assumes that the alcohol concentration in your exhalation equals the amount in your blood.

Sometimes, the police will take a driver they think is inebriated to the station for blood and urine tests. Blood tests for DWI involve taking a sample of the driver’s blood and analyzing it in a lab to measure the exact amount of alcohol in the blood. Trained personnel perform the test in a sterile environment. In many cases, you must consent to a blood test, or the police can request a warrant.

Trained personnel obtain a urine sample and then test it for the presence of alcohol and other substances. Like blood tests, urine tests are invasive and require legal consent or a warrant.

Challenging DWI Test Results

An experienced DWI lawyer in New Jersey can challenge DWI test results. Sometimes, a “positive” result is actually negative, or there may be other factors to raise significant doubt as to the accuracy of the test, including the following:

Expert Witness – These individuals are usually forensic toxicologists or have experience in a similar field. They understand how chemical DWI tests work and can point out potential flaws or errors in the process. Expert witnesses can also break down complex data and explain it to juries in terms they understand.
Lack of Calibration – Breathalyzers require regular maintenance and calibration to give accurate readings. An improperly calibrated breathalyzer may yield unreliable results.
Incorrect Test Administration – Law enforcement officers must have training to use a breath test properly. Improperly administering a breath test can lead to inaccurate results.
Medical Conditions – Preexisting medical conditions such as diabetes or even specific diets can impact chemical tests, resulting in false-positive results.
Improper Storage – Blood and urine samples require storage at specific temperatures, or they degrade, leading to inaccurate test results.
Deviation in Procedure or Custody – Police agencies must follow a strict process in collecting, storing, and analyzing DWI tests. Any variation or omission could lead to incorrect results.

Why Hire a New Jersey DWI Attorney?

The penalties for a DWI conviction include fines, insurance surcharges, license suspension, and imprisonment, depending on whether it is a repeat offense and the specific circumstances. The impact on your personal and professional life could be devastating.

Although you could defend yourself when DWI tests indicate a potential violation, you’d be wise not to. A New Jersey DWI attorney understands the complexities of these cases and can:

Review the police officer’s actions and your arrest for possible violations of your constitutional rights
Obtain qualified subject experts for an independent analysis of the DWI drug tests
Look for inconsistencies or weaknesses in the prosecution’s case
Seek to have the charges reduced
Identify potential circumstances to dismiss or drop the charges
Negotiate a plea bargain in which you plead guilty to a lesser charge with reduced penalties
Protect your rights from overzealous law enforcement or prosecutors

Contact a New Jersey DWI Lawyer Today

Most people are unaware of their legal rights and potential defenses when faced with a possible DWI conviction. Steven Ellman, an experienced DWI lawyer in New Jersey, can be a powerful ally when it comes to defending your driving and civil rights.

The Law Office of Steven Ellman has the resources to obtain expert witnesses, examine the evidence against you, and mount a solid defensive strategy. The state of New Jersey has a team of prosecutors and investigators trying to convict you. It is in your best interest to have a qualified attorney with proven case results to protect your rights, freedom, and future.

If you face DWI test results that could derail your life in Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey, contact the Law Office of Steven Ellman for a free consultation.

Tell Us About Your Case

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY

Proving Intoxication & DWI Testing

Hands down the best Attorney in South Jersey! I was charged with Careless Driving and DWI. I was broken and devastated. After reading his positive reviews, I chose Steven Ellman. He calmed my nerves and assured me that he would do his best. After months with the court, the DWI charge was dismissed and brought down to careless driving. He was a calming and confident presence in court and always explained the process well. I was represented better than I could have ever imagined. Highly recommended!

- CHRISTOPHER M.