NJ Amendments to NJ DWI Statute

April 7, 2025

Submitted by New Jersey DWI Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. The text amends R.S.39:4-50, outlining penalties for driving under the influence (DUI) in New Jersey. Key points include: First Offense: Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) 0.08% to 0.10%: Fine of $250-$400, 12-48 hours detainment, possible 30-day imprisonment, and ignition interlock device installation. BAC 0.10% or higher: Fine of $300-$500,…

Defendant Contended That His Un-Mirandized Statements to Police Should Have Been Suppressed and That the Court Committed Reversible Error

December 23, 2022

State of New Jersey v. Elijarh Hogges Docket No. A-1666-19 Decided December 2, 2022 Submitted by New Jersey DWI Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. In a recent unpublished opinion, the Appellate Court of New Jersey decided defendant’s appeal from judgment of conviction entered after a jury trial of four counts arising from a motor vehicle collision that resulted…

DWI defense of “necessity“

January 12, 2020

This is a very interesting case for several points. I will address each one individually. Submitted by New Jersey DWI Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. Standard of review for the appeal of a municipal court decision by the municipal court judge. I have written numerous blogs on this issue previously but it worth repeating at this time.…

DWI & Prior offenses and 6 months in Jail

December 13, 2019

Submitted by New Jersey DWI Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. On December 1 the New Jersey legislature’s July modifications to the DWI statute became effective.  The legislative changes enabled first time offenders to not lose their license for a DWI conviction. This may lead many to not hire an attorney or fight their case because they didn’t…

Text of New DWI Sentence Law signed today

August 25, 2019

Newsflash Submitted by New Jersey DWI Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. Announcement August 24, 2019 New Jersey Governor Murphy signs modifications to N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 1st offense DWI penalties. The period of driving suspension for drunk driving in New Jersey have been substantially reduced for a first offender’s. However the new sentencing requirements at the use of the…

Muni-mail – Guv signs DWI reform law – ignition interlock for all first-time offenders

August 24, 2019

A package of DWI reforms (S824) was signed by Gov. Murphy today.  If you are convicted of DWI or refusal in New Jersey, you now must install an ignition interlock device – this includes first-time drunk-driving offenders.  The lengths of license suspensions will be reduced dramatically. First-time offenders with BAC of.. 0.08 to 0.10 – must install…

State v. Patel NJ Supreme Court Post Judgement Laurick Motion to Vacate Guilty Plea

August 8, 2019

State v. Patel: New Jersey Supreme Court Rules: To secure Post Judgement relief from a possible 3rd offense DWI 6 month jail term and 10 year loss of license. To secure relief from an enhanced custodial sentence for a subsequent DWI conviction, a) a non-indigent defendant must establish that in the earlier uncounseled DWI proceeding,…

Last votes needed to legalize marijuana in N.J. may come from these 3 GOP moderates.

January 15, 2019

DWI/DUI charges to substantially increases in NJ with legalized weed. — State representatives push for more DREs to become ‘experts for DWI’ DUI charges in NJ” Submitted by New Jersey DWI Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark. With Democrats who lead the state Senate still tantalizingly short of votes needed to legalize recreational marijuana in New Jersey, a…