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A DWI is problem enough for anyone, but for drivers who are under 21 and charged with drunk driving, a conviction can result in a black mark on your record that can make auto insurance unaffordable or even unavailable to you for years to come.

For a young Yardville, NJ, driver, the expenses from his recent drunk driving charge may be higher still.

Police say that Thomas Walters, 20, was driving while intoxicated around 3:15 in the morning on Monday, September 5, when his car crashed through a wooden fence at Glassboro’s Campus Crossings Apartments and ended up in the living room of one of the apartments, causing substantial damage.

Fortunately, no one was in the unit at the time, but Walters and his 19-year-old passenger fled the scene on foot, returning a short time later, where they were arrested.

If convicted, Walters will face the normal consequences of a DWI, including license suspension and fines, but will also likely have to pay to cover the damage to the apartment building his vehicle struck.
DWIs where property damage exists can end up being wildly expensive, which is why an experienced attorney can make such a big difference in your case.

Don’t risk full exposure to the penalties of a DWI conviction.

Call Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9660 and talk to an experienced New Jersey DWI defense attorney for free.

Did you know that you can be charged with DWI even if your car is parked and your keys are in your pocket?

People have even been arrested for DWI in New Jersey after they arrived at their destination, exited the vehicle, and sat down at a diner counter to eat.

It may seem strange, but it’s extremely risky to try to “sleep it off” in your parked vehicle, a legal situation that Assemblyman John McKeon says that the legislature should revisit.

A 43-year-old DWI case highlights the potential for inconsistent application.

In State v. John Daly, a man was drinking at a bar in the winter. He left the bar drunk, went to his car, and turned the ignition on so the heater would work, then he went to sleep.

He was arrested for DWI, and went to court arguing that his intention was to sleep without getting frostbite, not to “operate” his vehicle.

The court agreed with him, and ever since, there has been a risk of inconsistent enforcement of DWI laws.

Whether new law is made around this point remains to be seen, but the takeaway for New Jersey drivers is that there are defenses to DWI, especially when you weren’t operating your vehicle at the time of your interaction with police.

A DWI conviction in New Jersey is a big deal, and can leave you unable to drive for months or longer.

Don’t risk inflated insurance rates, hefty fines, and getting familiar with a bus schedule.

Call Matthew Reisig with Reisig Criminal Defense & DWI Law today at 732-625-9660 for a free consultation with an experienced New Jersey DWI defense lawyer.

More Information About NJ DWI Penalties

• • Will You Go To Jail After Your 1st DWI
  • What Are The Penalties for a 2nd DWI in NJ
  • Can You Get Temporary Driving Privileges After A DWI In NJ?
  • What Are The Fines If You Just Please Guilty To DWI in NJ?
  • Can I Get Community Service For A DWI Instead of Fines?
  • Will I Have To Get An Interlock Device For A DWI In NJ?
  • Can I Get A Hardship License After A DWI In NJ?
  • What Is The Difference Between A DWI And DWI In A School Zone
  • Will A DWI In NJ Affect My Car Insurance Rates

A 91-year-old resident of Clifton, New Jersey, has pleaded guilty to charges of drunk driving in a Mount Olive Township courtroom.

Richard Johnston was spotted driving the wrong way on Route 46 back in March and police were called.

Officer Christopher Saunders responded and located the vehicle in the parking lot of a gas station that was closed for the night.

Saunders administered field sobriety tests for Johnston, who was taken into custody and later provided a breath test at the police station.

Johnston was charged with DWI and released to a sober driver.

On August 1, he told Judge Brian Levine that he had been drinking before the incident.

Levine followed the law, but it doesn’t appear that he threw the book at Johnston, possibly because of the man’s age.

Johnston was fined $254 for the DWI, ordered to pay a $250 surcharge, plus another $75 to the N.J. Safe Neighborhoods Program, $50 to the N.J. Victims Crime Compensation Board, and $33 in court costs.

Johnston’s license was suspended for three months because of DWI, as well.

It’s hard to say exactly how much Johnston’s life will change as a result of a DWI conviction at the age of 91, but for people who commute to jobs, take kids to school, and have to be available to pick up groceries and attend to myriad daily activities, a lengthy license suspension can be crushing.

Don’t risk being caught in the endless cycle of a DWI conviction followed by a charge for driving on a suspended license.

Matthew Reisig has helped more than 1,040 drivers in New Jersey avoid conviction on DWI and related charges.

Call 732-625-9660 today for a free consultation with an experienced New Jersey DWI defense lawyer.