Field Sobriety Tests in Camden County New Jersey DWI Cases
One method for proving intoxication is field sobriety tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) has adopted standardized tests for detecting intoxication and these are the only accepted methods to be used by police in Pennsauken, Camden, Gloucester City, Cherry Hill, Gloucester Township or any other municipality in Camden County. Many officers fail to adhere to NHTSA standards for instruction, administration and scoring of these tests in the experience of our attorneys. This creates significant holes in a DWI case that can be exploited by a savvy lawyer on your behalf.
The team of New Jersey Criminal Lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenses in New Jersey are very serious, even if it is a first offense. A DWI conviction can result in significant ramifications, including jail time, that can impact several aspects of your life including future educational and employment opportunities. If you have been charged with a DWI, you should speak with an aggressive and experienced attorney as soon as possible to help you navigate the legal process and get you the most desirable outcome in your case.
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Leonard Biddison have had tremendous success handling countless DWI cases for years in Camden County including Cherry Hill, Gloucester, Audubon, and Barrington. In fact, one of our attorneys, is one of only a few lawyers in the state who is certified to operate the DWI Alcotest 7110. This means he understands the details of the device, how it works, and whether there are any defects with it’s functioning. If you have been charged with a DWI, having an attorney who knows how to get the best result in your case is imperative. Call the Law Offices of Leonard Biddison at 855-450-8310 anytime for a free initial consultation.
New Jersey Field Sobriety Tests
In New Jersey, when an officer suspects a person is driving under the influence, he needs to have probable cause to make an arrest after stopping the vehicle. To determine whether there is probable cause, the officer can take several factors into account. These can include:
- Observation of the driver for signs if intoxication such as bloodshot eyes, the smell of alcohol, and slow movement.
- If the driver admits to drinking
- Field sobriety tests
The most common field sobriety tests are:
- The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) Test
- The walk and turn test
- The one leg stand test
Officers in New Jersey are trained to administer all three of these tests and often use all of them during a DWI stop to determine signs of intoxication. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration has deemed these tests (other than the HGN test, which can be used for probable cause for an arrest but the results are not admissible at trial) reliable in determining if someones blood-alcohol content is .10% or more. However, even though the tests have been shown to be reliable for these people, they must be administered in a specific manner.
Our DWI expert is a retired New Jersey State Trooper and is therefore certified in field sobriety testing. He will review your case to make sure that the tests were given in the correct manner and that the results were accurate. He will also write his own report and testify at trial for the defense if necessary to help fight your DWI charges.
New Jersey’s Alcotest 7110
For DWI cases, New Jersey utilizes the Alcotest 7110 breath testing device which was created by Draeger Safety. One of our attorneys attended a seminar in 2011 along with only a handful of other lawyers and is now certified to operate the device. He is now trained on the Alcotest 7110 MKIII-C Version NJ3.11′s analytical system, components, and peripherals, and also how to operate the test and perform a New Jersey specific breath test sequence. Therefore, the Law Offices of Leonard Biddison can utilize this expertise to determine the admissibility of the breath test result in your case.
Note: Our firm utilizes a former State trooper who is certified in field sobriety testing and is a certified operator of the Alcotest 7110, the breath testing device used in New Jersey DWI cases. He reviews the evidence, police reports, and videos and will draft a report to challenge the State’s evidence in your case.
Contact a Winslow NJ DWI Lawyer for a Free Consultation
The criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Leonard Biddison are always available to speak with you about your case and begin to formulate an aggressive strategy to defend you against a DWI charge. Our criminal defense team understands the details of DWI law in New Jersey and we will use this knowledge to help you best defend against these charges. Call us today at 855-450-8310 for a free initial consultation about your case.
