New Jersey DWI Defense Attorney Dan of Beninato & Matrafajlo Secures Total Dismissal of Drunk Driving Charges
Attorney Dan of Beninato & Matrafajlo, a premier New Jersey DWI defense law firm with offices in Elizabeth and East Brunswick, has successfully secured a complete dismissal of all driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges for a motorist facing severe penalties under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50. The favorable ruling clears the client, identified only by the initials J.L., of all allegations stemming from a late-night traffic stop in Essex County.
The case originated from an enforcement action on Bloomfield Avenue, where local police officers pulled over J.L., a 41-year-old driving a white Mercedes, during a drinking and driving investigation. Following a field sobriety examination and subsequent chemical breath testing at police headquarters, authorities issued summonses for driving under the influence.
Faced with a potentially devastating mark on their record, J.L. retained Attorney Dan to contest the state’s case. The legal team at Beninato & Matrafajlo initiated a meticulous, top-to-bottom review of the prosecution’s evidence, including the initial motor vehicle stop mechanics, field sobriety test (FST) protocols, and Alcotest breath-testing data.
By aggressively scrutinizing the state’s technical compliance—including the strict 20-minute observation period required before breath samples are collected—the defense uncovered critical gaps and procedural vulnerabilities in the law enforcement investigation. Recognizing that the evidence failed to meet the rigorous legal standard required for a conviction, the court ordered a total dismissal of the DWI charges.
“Defending a DWI charge in New Jersey is a highly technical discipline that requires an exhaustive review of every moving part, from the officer’s initial reasonable suspicion to pull a vehicle over, to the calibration records of the breath testing machine,” said Attorney Dan. “We are thrilled to have secured total vindication for J.V., protecting their driver’s license, their livelihood, and their reputation.”
In New Jersey, a DWI conviction carries harsh, mandatory penalties that can include thousands of dollars in fines, expensive automobile insurance surcharges, the mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device (IID), and even potential jail time. By successfully defeating these charges, Attorney Dan spared J.L. from these life-altering consequences.
About the Firm
Beninato & Matrafajlo specializes in aggressive municipal court defense, criminal law, and New Jersey DWI defense, serving clients from fully staffed offices in both Elizabeth and East Brunswick, NJ. Recognized across the state for its relentless advocacy and strategic handling of complex refusal and drunk driving cases, the firm helps individuals safeguard their rights against flawed state evidence.
