DWI Charges Dismissed in New Jersey Following Motion to Suppress: Court Finds No Probable Cause for Stop or Operation
Union County, NJ — June 10, 2025 — The Law Offices of Beninato & Matrafajlo is pleased to announce the successful dismissal of a DWI charge against our client, identified in court records as State v. N.P., following a contested motion to suppress and probable cause hearing.
The Honorable Court found that law enforcement lacked sufficient justification to stop the defendant for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. The decision was grounded in long-standing New Jersey precedent, including State v. Martinez, 260 N.J. Super. 75 (App. Div. 1992), State v. Thompson, 462 N.J. Super. 370 (App. Div. 2020), and State v. Stiene, 203 N.J. Super. 275 (App. Div. 1985). These cases affirm that an investigatory stop must be based on reasonable and articulable suspicion of wrongdoing.
During the hearing, the State emphasized the defendant’s presence in a legally parked vehicle with the engine and heater running on a public roadway, and the defendant’s admission to previously being at a bar. However, the court ruled that the State failed to present any evidence demonstrating the defendant’s intent to operate the vehicle while under the influence—an essential element of a DWI charge under New Jersey law.
The court noted that the defendant had been parked and asleep for nearly six hours after leaving the establishment, and no testimony or evidence indicated active operation of the vehicle or an intent to do so. Accordingly, the court granted the defense’s motion to suppress and dismissed the DWI charge in its entirety.
“This case underscores the importance of diligent motion practice and a thorough understanding of New Jersey DWI case law,” said attorney Danny Matrafajlo, lead counsel on the case. “Not every person found inside a vehicle is guilty of driving under the influence. In this case, our client made the responsible decision to avoid driving—and the law recognized that.”
This result highlights the critical role of experienced legal advocacy in protecting the rights of individuals wrongfully accused under New Jersey’s stringent DWI laws.
Have you been charged with DWI in the state of New Jersey? Our team of highly experienced New Jersey DWI attorneys at Beninato & Matrafajlo can help you. You can contact us anytime for a risk-free consultation at 908-248-4404.
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.
