Summertime brings many visitors to New Jersey. Some are passing through and some plan to stay for a while. Because of this, New Jersey has been intensifying its enforcement of traffic safety regulations. In particular, emphasis is being placed on impaired driving.
DUI checkpoints are happening more frequently throughout the state. During a DUI stop, police officers will ask for basic information, such as where you are headed or where you’ve been. They may ask to see your driver’s license and vehicle registration, while quietly looking for signs of impairment.
Must I take a breathalyzer test?
If the police think that you may be driving while impaired, they will administer a breathalyzer test to determine your blood alcohol level. In New Jersey, the legal principle of “implied consent” means that by driving on the state’s roads, you have given your implicit consent to undergo a breathalyzer test if an officer has reasonable grounds to believe that you are driving under the influence of alcohol. You must comply, according to the law.
Refusing to submit to a breathalyzer test could increase the probability of a DWI conviction because the court may assume that you were indeed under the influence of alcohol. However, it is important to note that this applies only if you refuse the test at the police station after being arrested.
Fines for refusing to submit range from $300 to $1500, depending on whether this is the first offense or not. There is a possibility that your license will be suspended and your car may be fitted with an ignition interlock device for a period of nine to fifteen months for a first offense. With the stakes so high, you should not try to fight the charges alone. To achieve the most favorable outcome, seek assistance with your case.