Crime & Safety

DWI: Attorney Says Take His Free Advice Before It's Too Late

Raymond Raya, public defender in Holmdel, Keansburg, Keyport and Lakewood, knows how devastating drunk driving can be. Here are three things to know about DWI.

Raya contributed these tips at New Year's Eve, but they are just as valid tonight, after Superbowl Sunday revelry.

A Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) conviction can change your life forever and getting into an accident with elevated levels of alcohol may end with you losing your freedom, your life or the life of another. The penalties for refusing to "blow" into the machine has almost identical penalties as well.

1. The police will be out in force tonight and they are looking for drunk drivers. This means a slight deviation from your lane of travel, increased speed or even a minor equipment violation can give the police reasonable cause to pull over your vehicle. If they smell alcohol on your breath, you may be in for a very long night.

Find out what's happening in Holmdel-Hazletwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


2. A new law recently took effect that requires most persons convicted of DWI or Refusal to install an interlock device on their steering column. This small machine is a mini-breathalyzer, which prevents the ignition from starting unless your breath is "clean." It costs thousands of dollars to install and maintain. Even after you get your license to drive returned, at a minimum you would need to keep it in your vehicle for 6 months. The interlock applies to anyone convicted of Refusal or DWI; the only exception is those convicted of a 1st Offense DWI with a Blood Alcohol level below .15.


3. There are many alternatives to hitting the roads after hitting the bottle too many times. Call a cab or a friend, sleep over at a friend's house or even walk home. Also, falling asleep in your car may seem like a good idea, but if the ignition is on, it may lead the police and a future Judge to surmise that you had an "intent" to operate the vehicle. While this fact-sensitive inquiry may end up in your favor, better just to leave the driving to someone else entirely. The 24 hours of embarrassment that you might suffer from admitting you had too many is nothing compared to the alternative.

Find out what's happening in Holmdel-Hazletwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ray Raya is a Freehold-based attorney. You can read more information about DUI/DWI charges on his website.


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