Stricter DUI Enforcement for New Jersey Law Enforcement Officers
New Jersey law enforcement officers will face stricter policies for suspected DUIs when law enforcement officers are off-duty.

October 29, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Stricter DUI Enforcement for New Jersey Law Enforcement Officers

Anyone who has been pulled over by an officer for suspicion of drunk driving understands he or she made a poor choice when getting behind the wheel. This is only reinforced by the severe penalties associated with a DUI conviction. But what happens when law enforcement officers themselves drive impaired?

The question is particularly relevant, as in September a New Jersey state trooper was indicted for drunk driving in 2009 while in an undercover police vehicle. Reports in the media alleged a cover-up, although internal investigations by the police have not yet revealed any wrongdoing. The trooper was identified by his undercover name on the accident report, which made it difficult to identify him as an officer.

In addition, this summer an officer was suspended for one year without pay after it was revealed she was pulled over on suspicion of driving while intoxicated three times within three months during 2008 without getting charged with a DWI.

As a result of these incidents and in order to avoid the increased attention that arises when an officer is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes issued new, stricter policies for law enforcement officers while off-duty.

Fuentes himself will now look at every incident that could potentially involve alcohol. Regional commanders must also now ensure that troopers and officers in an accident were not influenced by alcohol. In addition, if undercover, a police officer must explain the reason to a superior officer to not list his or her actual name on the accident report.

DUI Penalties

Any New Jersey driver with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or more is presumed by law to be too intoxicated to drive. Penalties for New Jersey drivers with a BAC of .08 to .10 include license suspension, fines, at least 12 hours at the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center and even potential jail time. Penalties increase if the driver's BAC is over .10, it is the driver's second or more DUI conviction or there are other factors, such as if someone was injured or killed in the accident.

For those in the public spotlight, including police officers and public officials, the penalties are only compounded by the scrutiny they face by the media.

If you have been charged with a DUI, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss your situation. A DUI defense lawyer may be able to help mitigate some of the severe penalties and allow an individual facing a DUI charge to move on with his or her life.

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