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A New Jersey man who challenged his fourth DWI conviction all the way to the state’s Supreme Court finally got a ruling last week. James Denelsbeck was facing a 180-day mandatory jail sentence, plus thousands of dollars in fees and fines. Because of the severity of the punishment, Denelsbeck requested a trial by jury, which was denied on the grounds that DWI cases are traffic matters, not criminal prosecutions.

Denelsbeck argued that the punishments for his conviction were comparable to those of a crime. The New Jersey Supreme Court disagreed, declaring that DWI prosecutions remain a matter for municipal courts. This approach to DWI is unique among the states, with most treating them as criminal matters. People convicted of DWI in New Jersey will not have a criminal record, but do face a number of penalties over a period of years when they are convicted.

There are defenses for DWI charges in New Jersey. If you’ve been charged with drunk driving, talk to an experienced DWI attorney today. Matthew Reisig has helped more than 1,040 New Jersey drivers avoid conviction on DWI charges. Call 732-625-9660 today for a free consultation.

One of the most common questions people have when they’re facing DWI charges is whether they’ll have a criminal record if they’re convicted. The answer is no, but that doesn’t mean they’ll face no scrutiny. Drunk driving charges in New Jersey are technically classified as traffic infractions, but the degree of public interest, not to mention punishment if you’re convicted, push it into a quasi-criminal realm. Your local paper is unlikely to include reports of traffic tickets in its coverage of the local police blotter, but a New Jersey DWI arrest does make the cut.

Media reports of an arrest are typically not a violation of your rights or actionable on your end, but they do raise the question of whether DWI is properly categorized in the state. Punishment for DWI, especially when a driver has had previous arrests for driving drunk, look increasingly like the penalties a criminal defendant would face for a variety of charges we prosecute in the state every day, but in a DWI case, defendants aren’t even entitled to make their case to a jury.

Drunk driving charges are tough for you, your family, and your career. You can lose your license for months or years, pay huge fines, and even face jail time. While the media is free to report the arrest, and you’ll likely have to explain it in some difficult situations down the line, you can fight back and win. Matthew Reisig has helped more than 1,040 drivers in New Jersey avoid conviction in their DWI cases. Call 732-625-9660 today for a free consultation.

Bergen County Public Safety Director Ralph Rivera, who spent nearly 30 years as a state trooper, has been suspended with pay after a report that he tried to intervene in a DWI stop in Hackensack in March.

According to the police report, Rivera appeared on scene shortly after his friend Francisco Almonte was pulled over for failing to use a turn signal around 3:30 in the morning.

Rivera interrupted Officer Andrew Kara a total of four times, repeating his law enforcement credentials in an effort to keep his friend, Almonte, from being arrested.

Officer Kara explained that he would treat the situation the same as any other, and the incident eventually made it back to Rivera’s Bergen County bosses, who launched an investigation through the Bergen County Prosecutor’s office.

Almonte, whose blood alcohol level was ultimately recorded at .03%, has pleaded not guilty to the charges, while Rivera’s future remains in doubt. Rivera will be called as a witness in Almonte’s trial.

Every DWI case has defenses. Matthew Reisig has helped more than 1,040 New Jersey drivers avoid conviction on DWI charges.

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