New Jersey John's Law Attorneys
John's Law in New Jersey
A nationwide law passed in 2005 dubbed "John's Law" had its roots in New Jersey. The law makes it legal for police officers to impound any vehicle suspected of being involved in a drunk-driving incident. The law's intent was to ensure that the drunk driver would not return to their vehicle after being released from police custody.
The law stems from an incident in the year 2000 where drunk-driving suspect Michael Pangle, released from custody after being held for three hours, was driven back to his car by a friend and drove himself off. Pangle was still drunk and ended up killing himself and Navy Ensign John Elliott. Elliott is who the law is named after.
Bill Elliott, John's father, lobbied for a change in the way that the laws stood. Senator Jon S. Corzine and Representative Frank A. LoBiondo, both of New Jersey, took Elliott's case and got the laws passed in Congress. The new laws hope to curb the potential for drunk drivers to be released while still drunk and drive once again. The law says that the police can impound a suspect's vehicle for 12 hours and hold anyone suspected of a DWI until they become sober.
John's Law also monitors any person who comes to pick up a suspected DWI case. When a person is called by the suspect to come and collect them, this person is given a written statement by the police officers. This statement outlines the potential criminal and civil charges that they face if they allow the DWI suspect to drive their vehicle when drunk. The person must also sign a statement that they will not let the DWI suspect drive while drunk.
John's Law is one of many penalties and charges facing anyone convicted of a DUI in New Jersey. First time offenders face thousands of dollars in fees and penalties, jail time, alcohol awareness courses, community service and the loss of your driving license. Because all of the penalties for driving under the influence are so severe, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the suspect was indeed committing a crime.
DUI cases in New Jersey are extremely time consuming and consist of potentially thousands of elements. Each of these elements should be thoroughly investigated by your New Jersey DWI defense attorney in order to give you the best defense possible. If any of the elements in your case is found to have been committed illegally, all charges and penalties against you stand a chance of being thrown out of court.
The offices of Lependorf & Silverstein offer free consultations on any potential DWI case in New Jersey. While our offices are located in Princeton we are able to handle cases throughout the state including ones in Newark, Jersey City, Trenton, New Brunswick, Edison and Elizabeth. If you or someone you love is facing a DWI charge or has had their car impounded by the police you should contact us immediately.
We provide all of our clients the same thorough, professional and aggressive legal defense in every New Jersey DUI case that we handle.
If you or a loved one has been accused or arrested for a DWI in New Jersey, contact Lependorf & Silverstein today for a free consultation.
