Hazlet NJ DWI Lawyer

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The combination of Hazlet being the 10th most populated municipality in Monmouth County and home of long stretches of Route 35, Route 36 and Garden State Parkway, results in a high number of DWI charges in the town annually. Whether the violation is a motorist’s first offense, second offense or a third offense, the consequences of a conviction under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 are downright sobering. This is why is is so important to take your time in selecting a dwi defense lawyer to defend you.

You should also know that the consequences of a conviction aren’t the sole reason to hire the best attorney you find.  New Jersey law prohibits plea bargaining in driving while intoxicated and in driving under the influence cases. The only way to secure a dismissal in Hazlet or another municipality is to convince the court that there is a bona fide issue that prevents the state from proving the charge. The most important factor in choosing a lawyer is skill since it is totally illegal to allow a downgrade through goodwill or some other non-meritorious consideration.

We are the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall and possess unique qualifications to ensure you have the opportunity you are looking for to avoid a DWI conviction in Hazlet. We can offer you:

  • A team of ten (10) lawyers that limit their practice to the defense of those accused of violating the law
  • Over 200 years of combined experience handling DWI and DUI offenses
  • Former Monmouth County DWI Prosecutors that include one that served in Hazlet New Jersey
  • Five (5) attorneys that among approximately 50 statewide that are Alcotest certified
  • Three (3) lawyers that are certified in standardized field sobriety testing (“sfst”) and two (2) who are qualified as instructors in these tests
  • An extensive track record of favorable outcomes in Hazlet Municipal Court

If you were charged with DWI in Hazlet, we encourage you to contact our office at your earliest convenience to learn how we can help you. A lawyer is available for free consultation 24/7 at 732-450-8300.

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Hazlet Municipal Court Information

The Hazlet Municipal Court, which is also known as The Joint Municipal Court of Hazlet and Matawan, is located at 255 Middle Road, Hazlet, New Jersey. The telephone number is 732-264-2231. The hours of operation are weekdays from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.

  • Honorable Michael Celli is the Judge
  • Robin Young, CMCA, is the Court Administrator
  • Paul Granick, Esq., is the Municipal Prosecutor
  • Court Sessions are Mondays at 12:30pm & 2:00 pm and Tuesdays at 4:00pm

You can also consult the official website of the court for additional information about Hazlet Municipal Court.

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Proving a Hazlet DWI Offense

There are two core elements that must be established, beyond reasonable doubt, for the Hazlet prosecutor to convict someone for DWI in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-50. The headings below outline these requirements.

  • Operation of a Motor Vehicle. It logically makes sense that a DWI/DUI can only occur if there is “operation” of a motor vehicle. This can be established through observation by the Hazlet Police such as where an officer makes a motor vehicle stop that leads to an arrest for DWI. Operation can also be proven through circumstantial evidence such as arrival of the police at an accident scene and other circumstances that lead to probable cause to believe that the defendant was the operator of the vehicle. An important dynamic to keep in mind here is that “operation” can be established simply based on intent of the motorist such as where the keys are found in the ignition when an intoxicated driver is behind the wheel.
  • Intoxication or Being Under the Influence. When the violation stems from alcohol, a violation can be established through scientific tests or failed field sobriety testing. Scientific tests include either a breath or blood test indicating a blood alcohol concentration (“bac”) of .08% or more. The second way intoxication may be established is through field sobriety tests such as the one leg stand test, walk and turn test or ABCs. When the charge is based on being under the influence of drugs (e.g. marijuana, cocaine, Xanax, Oxycodone or other prescription medication, etc.), a blood test is required, along with a corroborating drug recognition evaluation (“dre”).
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Penalties If You Are Convicted Of DWI In Hazlet

Type of Offense Suspension Fines & Other Penalties Jail Term Other Penalties
First Offense

(BAC .08-.099)

 3 Months $250-$400 fine;

$1,000 surcharge;

$100 DWI Fund;

$100 Alcohol Educ.;

$230 IDRC Fee;

$75 SNFA

 Up to 30 Days 12 Hours IDRC;

Mandatory Ignition Interlock if BAC .15 or Higher
First Offense

(BAC .10 or More or Drug DWI)

 7-12 Months Same except fine $300-$500 Up to 30 Days Same as above
Second Offense 2 Years $500-$1,000 fine;

$1,000 surcharge;

$100 DWI Fund;

$100 Alcohol Educ.;

$280 IDRC Fee;

$75 SNFA

 2-90 Days 48 Hours IDRC;

30 Days Community Serv.;

Interlock during suspension plus 1-3 Years after restored
Third Offense 10 Years $1,000 fine;

$1,500 surcharge;

$100 DWI Fund;

$100 Alcohol Educ.;

$280 IDRC Fee;

$75 SNFA

 180 Days 48 Hours IDRC;

Up to 90 days Community Serv.;

Interlock during suspension plus 1-3 Years after restored

 

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How Our Hazlet DWI Lawyers Can Help You

We certainly have significant experience appearing in Hazlet Municipal Court and handling DWI charges within the township. In fact, our founding attorney previously served as prosecutor in the municipality for many years. You can count on our team to thoroughly defend the driving while intoxicated or under the influence case filed against you. Our efforts will include:

  • Contesting The Motor Vehicle Stop. The police must possess reasonable suspicion to conduct a motor vehicle stop. Our attorneys have vast knowledge of the traffic laws and regulations in New Jersey and utilize this skill to poke holes in the validity of a stop.
  • Challenging Probable Cause For Your Arrest. The state certainly needs to prove that the decision by the arresting officer to put you in handcuffs was supported by probable cause. There must have been a reasonable and probable basis in fact to believe that you were intoxicated/under the influence. Our advanced training in standardized field sobriety testing, an attribute possessed by very few in the state, allows us to dissect the claims that you failed one or multiple tests.
  • Suppress the Scientific Testing. The results of a breath or blood test are only admissible into evidence to prove a Hazlet DWI offense if strict protocol has been met. The state must prove that the operator was certified, the person who trained him was certified, the testing device was in proper working order and that all required foundational documentation is up to date and in order.
  • Persuasively Presenting Your Case. It is important for your DWI lawyer to be skilled and persuasive. These are attributes that the lawyers on our team certainly basis for hundreds of stories of success in defending drunk driving charges in Monmouth County.
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