Under New Jersey law, it is required that a driver submit to a breath test when arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI). This law is known as implied consent. When an individual receives a driver's license from the State of New Jersey, they have "consented" to being tested as part of the permitting process. Under New Jersey law, people age 21 and older cannot have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher in their system when operating a motor vehicle. If their BAC is above the legal limit, they will be charge with the traffic offense of DWI. For people under the age 21, it is illegal to have a BAC level as minimal as 0.01% because they are under the legal drinking age.
Breath Test Refusal In New Jersey
If a person is asked to take a DWI breathalyzer test and refuses to do so, it is known as a refusal. This is a different offense than DWI but carries some serious penalties. The individual may not have even been guilty of a DWI, but breath test refusals have legal consequences as well. It is a common misconception that the driver is within their right to refuse to take the a breath tests when stopped on suspicion of DWI. This is not the case. Implied consent means the driver has no choice in the matter and refusing to take the test will result in legal penalties regardless of guilt or innocence for DWI. A police officer can not force you to take this test but if you fail to take the test after being requested to do so you will be charged with refusal.
New Jersey's DWI Refusal Warning
N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.2(e) (the “Implied Consent Law”) is the statute that requires a police officer to inform a person arrested for DWI of the consequences of refusing to submit to a breath test. The law specifically provides that:
“The police officer shall, however, inform the person arrested of the consequences of refusing to submit to such test in accordance with section 2 of this amendatory and supplementary act. A standard statement, prepared by the chief administrator, shall be read by the police officer to the person under arrest.”
After being pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving, the police officer will often conduct field sobriety tests before formally arresting the driver and taking them to the police department. It is at the police station where the motorist will be requested to submit a breath sample in accordance with the implied consent law discussed above. During this request, the arresting officer will read the standard statement which explains to the driver the consequences of refusing the breath test. If the arrested declines to submit a breath sample he or she will be asked once more to confirm their refusal. If the arrested person does not respond or gives any ambiguous or conditional answer short of an unequivocal “yes” they will be issued the additional charge of refusal.
Breath Test Challenges In New Jersey
A refusal charge is harder to challenge then it is to challenge a breath test or a standardized field sobriety test. In order to validate the charge of a Breath Test Refusal, a police officer just needed probable cause for both the traffic stop and the DWI arrest. The person charged with administering the Breathalyzer will read a standardized statement making you aware of your rights if you refuse the breath test. Just because you feel you are not drunk or have a medical condition preventing you from taking the test is not a defense to not agreeing to take the test and a refusal charge will result.
Speak To An Experienced New Jersey DWI Lawyer About Breath Test Refusals
If you have been charged with violating the implied consent law by refusing to submit to a breath test for DWI—even if you actually had no alcohol in your system—it is imperative to speak to an experienced attorney from Villani in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. Having proper legal representation is key, no matter where the arrest was made.
