New Jersey’s annual holiday crackdown is set to begin on Friday, December 6, 2019. Officials said that the goal of the campaign is to increase awareness of the dangers of drunk-driving. Five Police departments in Passaic county have each received overtime grants in the amount of $5,500. These towns include: Hawthorne, Little Falls, Passaic, Paterson, and Wayne. There are a total of 133 police departments throughout the state that are getting nearly $600,000 in overtime grants for check points and extra patrols.
The ticket blitz called, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” will run through New Year’s Day. It will also include other departments that didn’t get overtime grants. In last year’s holiday ticket blitz, police made 1,269 DWI arrests for drivers impaired by alcohol and drugs. Police also issued 5,705 speeding tickets and 3,125 seatbelt tickets. Click here to read more at www.nj.com.
Also beginning this month, the new DWI law will take effect. Under the law, first time offenders who have a BAC of between .08% and .10% will lose their driver’s license for 30 days and will be requiredto pay for an interlock device to be installed in the vehicle principally operated by them during that period, and for 3 to 6 months after the suspension period. A first-time offender will also be required to attend the Intoxicated Drivers Resource Center (IDRC) for 12 to 48 hours. If the first-time offender’s BAC is 0.10 % or higher, but less than 0.15%; or if the person is convicted of driving under the influence of drugs, the driver’s license suspension is reduced from seven months to 45 days and they must install the interlock device during the suspension and for 6 months to one year after the suspension period. If someone’s BAC is higher than 0.15%, they will lose their license for 90 days, the interlock device must be installed during that period, and for one year to 18 months after that.
If you find yourself in the situation that you get stopped as part of the “Drive Sober or get Pulled Over Campaign,” and you are arrested for DWI, you should contact an attorney immediately. Criminal defense lawyer, Alissa D. Hascup is skilled and experienced at representing thousands of individuals charged with DWI. She is committed to ensuring your rights are protected in court. Contact her office today for a free consultation about your case. She is available 24/7 at 862-257-1200.
