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4201 Church Rd. Ste. 16
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
Phone: (856) 222-9022
Fax: (856) 222-9322
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DUI and other municipal court related traffic violations can be very serious. These types of issues can have a major impact on your legal ability to drive a vehicle. Many of these matters require an attorney to ensure your rights have not been violated in any way and that the citation you have been issued is legitimate. We at the law firm of Basso and Chambers can confidently assess your situation and pursue a positive result in your case.
In many cases, if you have to go to court to face your charges, a judge will not even hear your case unless you are accompanied by legal counsel. We can stand by you in court and work with the prosecutor in order to minimize the impact that these charges have on your life. We represent clients in a a variety of municipal court cases, including:
- DUI
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Careless driving
- License suspension
- And any other type of traffic violation
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Recently, the state of New Jersey has tightened the drunk driving laws. The legal blood alcohol content limit has been lowered to .08. This is a very serious offense, and the courts are becoming increasingly tougher on those who are convicted. The consequences are fierce and could leave you behind bars for a very long time. Do not face these charges alone. Let us help you defend yourself in every way possible.
Prerequisites: Almost all drunk driving charges arise from arrests which are considered warrantless seizures. Seizures made without an arrest warrant are presumed to be unreasonable. Thus, the State must establish that the officer had probable cause to (a) stop you, and (b) arrest you for drunk driving. Probable cause is a reasonable basis to act, usually involving a suspicion that you violated the law. The State must establish probable cause by a preponderance of the evidence.
Elements: Once these prerequisites are established, the court can consider the elements of the offense. To convict you of drunk driving, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you:
- Operated or intended to operate
- An operable motor vehicle
- While either under the influence of liquor
- Or with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 per cent by weight of alcohol.
Breath Tests: Breath testing is by far the most common way of testing for blood alcohol content ["BAC"]. The Breathalyzer is by far the most commonly used machine to test breath in New Jersey.
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Disorderly Persons offenses in NJ carry potential criminal penalties as follows:
- Prison or jail; up to 6 months for a disorderly persons offense, or 30 days for a petty disorderly persons offense
- Fines of up to $1000 for a disorderly persons offense, or $500 for a petty disorderly persons offense.
- restitution
- probation
- community service
- drivers license suspension
- Local town ordinance offenses are varied, and specific to each town. They are generally lesser offenses than disorderly offense charges.
- Drug possession laws in New Jersey have continued to get more severe. If you've been charged with drug possession, or other drug charges, you need a skilled attorney to defend and protect your rights. Many drug convictions include a significant fine plus the loss or suspension of your driver's license as part of the penalty.
New Jersey drug possession penalties include:
- Possession of Marijuana "simple possession" - up to 18 months in jail. Fines from $500-15000.
- Possession of Cocaine, Meth/Methamphetamines/Speed, or LSD/Acid - From 3-5 years in jail; Fines from $1000-$25,000.
New Jersey drug laws are very complicated, and "possession with intent" charges have severe consequences and penalties. If you've been charged with drug possession with intent to distribute, dispense or manufacture, or any drug charges, you need an experienced defense attorney to fight for you.
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