Urine Test
Blood, breath and urine — those are some of the chemical ways that the New Jersey police determine whether a driver was over the legal alcohol limit while driving. Blood and urine tests also help to determine whether a driver has drugs in their system that impair their ability to drive. N.J.S.A. 39:4-50(a) provides than an individual is guilty of a DWI if he or she operates a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. New Jersey has “implied consent” laws in place that you agreed to submit to DWI testing when the state agreed to grant you driving privileges or you drove a vehicle on NJ’s roads. Because of this, if you refuse to take an Alcotest breath test, there will be consequences independent of any DWI conviction you will have to deal with.
Penalties attached to a New Jersey DWI conviction include:
- Jail time
- Fines (including three years of New Jersey surcharges)
- Community service
- Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) and after-care
- Drug and alcohol education classes
- Loss of driving privileges
- Installation of an ignition interlock device [IID]
A DWI conviction can also have a major impact on your employment and education applications as this is something that is commonly (and legally) inquired about. Additionally, many individuals’ insurance premiums skyrocket after a DWI or they get dropped by their carrier altogether.
Just because you may have damaging urine results does not mean that a DWI conviction is a done deal. There are many instances in which the manner the urine sample was obtained or the way that it was stored before or after testing causes the urine sample to be too unreliable to be entered into evidence. When this happens, the prosecution in your case is left with shaky evidence. I have seen many cases reduced or dismissed after I questioned the reliability of the urine sample. Working with an experienced New Jersey DWI/DUI attorney can help you present your best case possible. Give the Law Offices of Thomas Carroll Blauvelt, LLC, a call today.
I have over 28 years of experience and know all the relevant arguments and defenses to make in your New Jersey DWI case. I understand how frustrating and confusing a DWI charge can be and I am here to answer all of your questions. If you or a loved one has recently been charged with a DWI in New Jersey, give me a call today at 877-676-7729 to discuss the details of your case — your first consultation is always free. Time is of the essence in these cases, so pick up the phone today. I look forward to speaking with you.
