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.
Dan T. Matrafajlo, Esq. is the Managing Member and Lead Partner at Beninato & Matrafajlo, Attorneys at Law, LLC, a New Jersey-based personal injury law firm with offices in Elizabeth and East Brunswick. With over two decades of experience representing clients in complex matters—including motor vehicle accidents, workers’ compensation, and wrongful death cases—he has recovered over $100 million on behalf of his clients and is known for securing significant results. He has also helped shape New Jersey personal injury law through notable Appellate Division decisions such as Hardison v. King and Frenklakh v. Lojek, with his litigation work featured in the New Jersey Law Journal, underscoring his authority in the field.
Mr. Matrafajlo was recognized as a Super Lawyers® Rising Stars honoree from 2012 to 2017 and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum—an honor reserved for attorneys who have achieved multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. Combining deep legal expertise with a client-focused approach, he provides strategic, results-driven representation while guiding clients through every stage of the legal process. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law and is admitted to practice in both New Jersey and New York.
