DWI Punishment Can Cross New Jersey State Line
Blood alcohol (BAC) content is used by law enforcement to determine whether an individual is driving under the influence of alcohol or driving while intoxicated (DWI). Blood alcohol content measures the amount of alcohol in your system by detecting the weight of alcohol in your blood. In every state, an unlawful BAC is having the content at or above 0.08 percent at the time of arrest.
While the level of intoxication is uniform across all 50 states, the punishment for a DWI conviction varies from state to state, but can also cross state lines.
New Jersey – Member of the Interstate Drivers License Compact
A drunk driving conviction in New Jersey will result in the loss of your driving privileges in the state, along with jail time, hefty fines and court costs. Although New Jersey cannot take away the driver’s licenses of non-state residents, it is a member of the Interstate Drivers License Compact. Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware are members as well. Members of this Compact report DWI convictions to other member states so a drunk driving conviction in New Jersey could also cost you your license in New York.
BAC Is Not the Only Way to Get a DWI In New Jersey
Blood alcohol content is not the only way to convict a driver of drunk driving. Other forms of defense used by the prosecution that could cause a big issue for a DWI defense could be the physical appearance of the driver along with the movement of the car prior to the traffic stop which resulted in the arrest.
This makes it imperative for you to hire an experienced and aggressive New Jersey drunk driving defense attorney to handle your case. A good attorney will investigate all facts surrounding your DWI arrest and skillfully craft a tailored defense to help avoid a conviction.
DWI’s Are Serious Traffic Offenses in New Jersey
Every penalty associated with a New Jersey DWI conviction is considered a Consequence of Magnitude. These harsh penalties are a result of wrongful behavior intended solely to punish and rehabilitate. Again, the best way to avoid a possible conviction is to avoid a conviction. And the best way to avoid a conviction is to hire an experienced defense attorney.
Contact Us Today!
If you have been arrested for a DWI offense, you should discuss your case, including any potential meritorious motions to suppress, with an experienced New Jersey DWI attorney. For more information or to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled attorneys, please call Beninato & Matrafajlo Attorneys at Law, LLC 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.
