There are a number of ways to defend against a New Jersey DWI/DUI charge. Here is a list of some of the best DWI Defense tactics put together by New Jersey DWI attorney Evan Levow. Not all of these will apply to every case. This is simply a list of some of the defenses to a New Jersey DWI charge.
1) Standardized Field Sobriety Tests are Not Reliable Evidence of Intoxication - In healthy persons, the one-leg stand test is only 65% accurate in predicting someone to be over the legal limit of 0.08% BAC. When I went to school that was a D! And the walk-and-turn test is only 68% accurate. Persons with injuries, medical conditions, 50 pounds or greater overweight, and 65 years or older cannot be validly judged by field sobriety tests. The eye test is not admissible in NJ courts to prove that you were intoxicated.
2) Non-Standard Field Sobriety Tests are not much better than flipping a coin to see if you are under the influence. Neither the Federal Government (NHTSA) or medical science consider touching your finger to your nose, saying the alphabet, or counting backwards as valid tests to determine intoxication.
3) Illegal Stop – a New Jersey DWI Enforcement officer cannot stop a car without having a reasonable and articulate basis to believe that a law has been violated, or he can articulate unusual operation of the motor vehicle. Therefore if the officer stops the car just because he saw the driver walk out of a bar and get into the car, the New Jersey DWI charge may be dismissed based on a violation of the driver's rights.
4) Videos or Dispatch Tapes – All New Jersey State Troopers, and many other New Jersey DWI enforcement officers have video cameras in their patrol vehicles. These videos, along with videos from testing rooms, booking rooms, and other sources can be good defenses to some New Jersey DWI charges. These videos can show that the field sobriety tests are not as bad as the officer interpreted them. We have seen tapes that showed the driver’s speech was not muttered, slurred, or incoherent, their balance was not swaying or stumbling, and their attitude was not combative or uncooperative. These are areas where a qualified New Jersey DWI attorney can show that the officer has a bias towards the driver and is not accurately testifying about the driver’s clues of intoxication. Most vehicle stops are audibly recorded on dispatch tapes.
5) Breath Test Operator Unlicensed – A NJ Breath Test Operator must possess a valid operator’s license, or the breath test is inadmissible.
6) Breath Test Operator License Expired – An NJ Breath Test Operator must possess an unexpired operator’s license or the breath test result is inadmissible. Licenses automatically expire in 3 years.
7) Breathalyzer Machine Malfunctions – If there is a malfunction or repair of the breath test machine, your test results may not be accurate. If the prosecutor can’t show that all the proper procedures were followed with the machine, then the results of the testing might not be admitted into evidence.
8) Breathalyzer Machine Not Properly Operated – There are specified protocols which must be followed for a breath test to be valid. Failure to follow these protocols can result in improper readings, and may be a reason to exclude the readings in court.
9) Medical and Health Problems – Medical problems with legs, arms, neck, back and eyes can affect the results of field sobriety tests. (Other medical conditions can affect the validity of breath test results.)
10) Bad Weather – Weather Reports establishing low visibility, high winds, and other conditions can be used to explain poor driving or balance on the field sobriety tests.
11) The Officer’s Prior Record and Statements - A police officer’s previous disciplinary record can be used to challenge the officer’s credibility; especially if the officer has been disciplined for misrepresentation or violating the rights of a driver. Furthermore, if the officer has previously testified in a New Jersey DWI case about the reliability of tests or how to administer them, that prior testimony can be used to challenge the officer's skills at administering field sobriety tests if he answers differently from trial to trial. Also, if the officer misled the driver about the consequences of refusing to submit to tests under New Jersey DWI law then the results of the refusal, or the readings from the machine may be excluded in court.
12) Failure to Conduct Observation Period - If the police fail to keep you under observation for 20 minutes prior to the breath testing, the results of the testing may be excluded in court.
13) Independent Witnesses – Sometimes witnesses to accidents, bartenders, hospital personnel and others can provide crucial evidence of the defendant’s sobriety.
14) Failure to Read the Implied Consent Warning - The New Jersey DWI enforcement officer must read the driver New Jersey Implied Consent law before the driver submits to the breath test. The failure to read the form or failure to read the correct form may result in the dismissal of charges.
15) Errors with the new Alcotest 7110 MK111-C machine. There are many potential errors that may occur with the new Alcotest 7110 MK111-C machine such as: failure to input correct arrest information; improper machine settings; failure of the machine to recognize errors in testing; failure of the machine on timing issues during the testing.
16) Interfering Substances - False breath test results may be caused by many items such as asthma spray, cough drops, paints, or fingernail polish, which contain forms of alcohol. Chemicals that you work with or use may cause a false positive result on the breath tests.
17) Failure to Provide a Speedy Trial - The State must provide a trial within specified time periods. If they don't, the case may be dismissed. Guidelines require that DWI cases be resolved within 60 days of the date of the arrest.
18) Expert Witness – Expert Witnesses are available to review the validity of the breath test, blood test, and field sobriety tests. Almost all cases require the assistance of these experts.
19) Blood Test Inaccurate – The admissibility of blood testing in a New Jersey DWI case depends on the procedures used in the taking of the sample. Sometimes, police blood testing fails to follow the prescribed rules of testing, analysis, and preservation. Medical centers that take these samples, sometimes fail to follow proper protocol as well. Even if they say the prep swab is non-alcoholic, there can be some trace of alcohol in the swab which can subject samples to a possible Motion to Exclude. Hospital tests have been shown to overestimate a blood sample by as much as 25% in healthy, uninjured individuals, and are not statistically reliable in severely injured persons. When hospital staff use lactate ringers during the treatment of a patient, the hospital blood serum results can report falsely elevated readings.
20) Failure to Provide Complete Discovery – If the prosecutor has not provided all the required evidence, a motion to compel evidence must be filed. If the discovery is still not provided by the date ordered by the judge, then charges may be dismissed.
21) Drug Based DWIs / Drug Recognition Evaluation (DRE) – If your blood pressure and temperature were taken, and you were induced to perform additional physical tests in the police station, you went through DRE protocol. This protocol has not been proven reliable in New Jersey court.
22) You cannot be forced to give blood or urine. If you were forced to do so, results can be excluded in court.
23) If you refuse to give blood or urine, you cannot be charged with refusal; as refusal applies to breath testing only, in NJ.
Home | Recent Cases | NJ DWI FAQS | Attorney Profile | BAC Calculator
Copyright © 2001 BLS Drunk Driving
Site Design by Ecombuffet.com |
New Jersey DWI Practice Area
Find a DWI DUI Drunk Driving Lawyer in your state.
"At Least" 23 WAYS TO CHALLENGE A NEW JERSEY DWI
There are a number of ways to defend against a New Jersey DWI/DUI charge.
Ten Mistakes
How to avoid the 10 biggest mistakes most people make after being arrested for NJ DWI.
Case Tips
57 Things YOU Need to Know about Your NJ DWI Case that NO ONE is Telling YOU.
Police Mistakes
Mistakes the police make ...and how they can help you.
Videos
Defending a DWI Case in New Jersey
State vs. Chun: The Biggest Case in
New Jersey DWI History
Frequently Asked Questions in New
Jersey DWI Cases
Evan Levow in the News
What Your NJ DWI May Cost
Possible Consequences of a New Jersey DWI
What Can I Do to Save My License?
Fight to save your license! If you drive after losing your license, you face substantial penalties.
What Happens After A NJ DWI Arrest?
Lawyer Mistakes
The Top 10 Mistakes Lawyers Can Make in Drunk Driving Cases. . . And How To Avoid Them.
New Jersey DWI Law: N.J.S.A 39:4-50 Driving While Intoxicated
On January 22, 2004, the new 0.08% law was passed in New Jersey. For third offenders, the penalty was changed to include mandatory jail time.
DWI Refusals in New Jersey
On April 26, 2004, the refusal law was changed to conform with the DWI law.
Change in DWI Plea Agreements in Municipal Court
Field Sobriety Testing in New Jersey
Understanding Breath Testing in New Jersey
The New Breath Testing Machine in New Jersey
Were You Tested on the Alcotest 7110 or the Breathalyzer 900/900A?
State v. Chun
State v. Chun New Jersey Supreme
Court Opinion - March 17, 2008
Chun Source Code Hearing Report of
the Special Master - November 14, 2007
State v. Chun Litigation Documents
State v. Chun - Alcotest Litigation
Information
State v. Chun - Master's Report
State v. Chun Alcotest Source Code
Reports & Summary
Chun Defense Brief
Chun Defense Source Code Reliability
Brief
Alcotest News
Was Your Blood Tested?
Charged With A NJ DWI/DUI based on Drugs?
New Jersey CDL Drivers
New Jersey CDL Chart
Underage Drinking and Driving in New Jersey
Recent Cases
Boating Under the Influence
How Will Prior Convictions for DWI Effect My Current DWI Charge?
Out of State Drivers arrested in New Jersey for DWI
Pennsylvania Drivers Arrested in New Jersey
Is DWI a Criminal Charge in New Jersey?
Work License in New Jersey?
If You Are In an Accident Resulting in a DWI Charge
Roadblocks-Sobriety Checkpoints in New Jersey
You may have been wrongfully arrested if you were stopped at a roadblock.
Attorney General Guideline: Prosecution Of DWI & Refusal Violations
New Jersey Intoxicated Driver Resource Center Program (IDRC)
New Jersey Ignition Interlock Program
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Surcharges
Visual Driving Cues of Drunk Drivers
New Jersey DMV Court Codes
Interpret Your Driver's Abstract
How I Can Help Even After Your NJ DWI Conviction
Appeal & Post Conviction Relief
New Jersey DWI Courts
Free NJ Auto Insurance Quotes
Low Cost NJ Auto insurance is available even with a DWI or moving violation.
Driving While on Cell Phone Worse Than Driving While Drunk
FAA Issues Final Ruling On Alcohol, Drug Use
Nicotine & Alcohol
External Links
Directions
Disclaimer
Site Map
|
