Officials from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office recently announced that police will be conducting a DWI checkpoint in Parsippany during the upcoming weekend.

Although the exact location of the DWI checkpoint remains undisclosed, it is set to occur from July 16 through July 17. Since the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of sobriety checkpoints in the landmark case of Michigan v. Sitz in 1990, these checkpoints have been used as tools for DWI enforcement in New Jersey and across the country.

In order for a DWI checkpoint to be considered valid, it must fulfill specific requirements that were outlined in the New Jersey Supreme Court decision State v. Moskal in 1991. The following are essential for a valid DWI checkpoint:

• The site of the DWI checkpoint is deemed appropriate based on historical arrest rates at the location
• The DWI checkpoint fosters public safety and awareness
• Command and supervision of the DWI checkpoint is executed by the appropriate law enforcement agencies
• Drivers are notified of the DWI checkpoint through signage, lighting, and other relevant means.

At a valid DWI checkpoint, officers may stop your vehicle, ask you some questions, and request your license and documentation. They will also assess whether or not you exhibit signs of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, some of the most common of which include blood shot or watery eyes, slurred speech, or the detectable odor of alcohol on your breath. If they suspect that you are, in fact, under the influence, they may ask you to perform field sobriety tests.

If you are charged with DWI in Parsippany or elsewhere in Morris County, New Jersey, the consequences can be severe and life-altering. Depending on the number of prior DWI offenses for which you have been convicted (if any) and your blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the offense, you may face penalties including a period of driver’s license suspension, significant fines, increases in insurance policy premiums, alcohol education at a state-approved Intoxicated Driver Resource Center, and even time in jail.

To protect your rights and your innocence, it is highly advisable to consult with a knowledgeable New Jersey DWI defense lawyer. Founding Partner Robert A. Smith has been successfully defending clients in local, State, and Federal courts for over 40 years. He is AV® Preeminent^TM Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell due to his excellence in practice. To speak with Mr. Smith about your case, contact the Morris County law offices of Smith & Doran at 973-261-6254 for a cost-free consultation.

For additional information related to the upcoming DWI checkpoint in Parsippany, access the following: Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Announces the Implementation of a Driving While Intoxicated Checkpoint in Parsippany-Troy Hills Township