A North Bergen woman was arrested on suspicion of DWI on Dec. 5 after she told a police officer that she was searching for New Jersey while standing in the Garden State. The incident happened around 2:30 a.m. in Jersey City.
According to Port Authority officials, the 31-year-old suspect was driving her 2000 Volkswagen Beetle near the Holland Tunnel when she pulled over and exited the car. When an officer questioned what she was doing, she said she was “looking for New Jersey.” The officer replied that she was already in New Jersey, but the suspect continued to say she was looking for the state and admitted she “had a few drinks.” The suspect submitted to a Breathalyzer test, which allegedly showed she had a blood alcohol content level of .25. New Jersey’s legal limit is .08. She was taken into custody and charged with DWI and careless driving.
On the same night, the same police officer also arrested a 30-year-old Jersey City man after he allegedly hit a Port Authority vehicle while entering the Holland Tunnel toward New York City. The suspect allegedly failed a field sobriety test, and a subsequent breath test indicated his blood alcohol content level was .14. He was charged with DWI, driving with a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident, bail jumping and reckless driving.
The consequences for drunk driving charges in New Jersey can be severe if a defendant is convicted. However, those charged with DWI may be able to get the charges dismissed or reduced with the help of a criminal defense attorney. For example, it may be possible to dispute the accuracy of field sobriety or breath tests. In some cases, legal counsel may negotiate with prosecutors to mitigate the most serious charge in exchange for a guilty plea to a lesser offense.
Source: NJ.com, “Jersey City man charged with driving drunk, striking maintenance truck, cops say,” Jonathan Lin, Dec. 5, 2015
