Cranford New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog

Hangovers and DUI charges

On behalf of The Law Offices of Palumbo & Renaud posted in Drunk Driving on Friday, November 2, 2018.

Often, when people think about drunk driving, they imagine drivers who are currently imbibing or recently consumed alcoholic beverages. However, it is crucial to realize that driving while you are hungover may also lead to DUI charges. For example, if you take to the road in the early morning after drinking heavily hours earlier, your driving abilities may be impaired, and a law enforcement official may pull you over, which could result in drunk driving charges. Moreover, some people do not realize how long it takes for alcohol to leave their system and they unknowingly drive while they are over the legal limit.

Whether a driver knows that they are currently drunk, or they do not realize that their hangover could result in DUI charges if they are pulled over, the consequences can be significant. Across the country, many people have likely found themselves in this position following Halloween celebrations. Drunk driving charges can be disruptive with respect to your career, your driving privileges and even your reputation and relationships. Because of the serious nature of these charges, it is imperative for you to handle your drunk driving case with care.

Can you refuse a breathalyzer test in New Jersey?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Palumbo & Renaud on Friday, November 2, 2018.

When you see flashing lights in your rearview mirror, a fun night with friends can quickly turn into the worst night of your life. Maybe you had two beers, or perhaps you had a couple more than two beers. You are not sure if you are going to pass a breathalyzer test. You decide refusing a breathalyzer is your best option, but you are not sure if you can legally do so.

New Jersey's IID requirements after a DUI

On behalf of The Law Offices of Palumbo & Renaud posted in Drunk Driving on Wednesday, October 24, 2018.

Being charged with a driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated offense in can be a very upsetting and scary experience. If you are one of the many people in New Jersey who has been arrested for suspected drunk driving, you may have heard about ignition interlock devices and wonder what exactly they are and if you will need to use one.

An IID is a device that is installed into a vehicle requiring a person to first pass a breath test proving they are not drunk before the vehicle's ignition is allowed to be started. The intention of these devices is to prevent repeat drunk driving offenses. As explained by the State of New Jersey, you might be ordered to install and use an ignition interlock device for as long as three years. On the shorter end, the required duration of use may be six months.

What are New Jersey’s distracted driving laws?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Palumbo & Renaud on Tuesday, October 23, 2018.

Driving is a fairly mundane, boring task. There is not a whole lot to do in the car and in this day and age, people want to keep busy and get stuff done. Because of this, many people try to multitask when driving during their commute or other times on the road. This might seem like a good idea but some of these activities fall under New Jersey’s distracted driving laws.

If you are caught doing one of these activities while driving, you might receive a ticket or other penalty.

Is marijuana addictive?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Palumbo & Renaud posted in Drug Charges on Tuesday, October 9, 2018.

While more and more states are legalizing marijuana for recreational and medicinal use, many opponents point to the drug’s dangerous nature. This has raised questions regarding the addictive nature of marijuana and whether the drug actually has a negative impact on a person’s life. Healthline.com offers the following information, which highlights marijuana’s less desirable effects as well as what it means to develop a dependency on the substance.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the chemical in marijuana that is responsible for the drug’s mind-altering effect. While not necessarily addictive according to the official definition (addiction entails significant changes in brain chemistry or behavior), some have proposed what’s known as marijuana use disorder. Disordered use of a substance is characterized by withdrawal symptoms when usage ceases.

Challenging a DUI

On behalf of The Law Offices of Palumbo & Renaud on Monday, September 24, 2018.

When a police officer arrests you for a DUI, it may feel like there is no way out. Having a DUI charge or conviction can be a permanent blemish on your record. Fortunately, there are several defense tactics that you may be able to use, which we will discuss in this post.

Driving while extremely drunk

On behalf of The Law Offices of Palumbo & Renaud posted in Drunk Driving on Friday, September 21, 2018.

There are many different things to consider when it comes to drunk driving charges. For example, the extent to which one is intoxicated may have an impact on the consequences they face. In many states, those who drive while they are “super drunk” or have an excessive blood alcohol content level while behind the wheel may face heightened penalties. If you have been charged with driving under the influence, it is vital for you to immediately look into your legal options regardless of how drunk you may have been when you were pulled over.

People may drive while they are extremely drunk for different reasons. For example, someone may need to get home and they may have no other means of transportation and be unable to locate a taxi, which can be problematic during the winter months when it is very cold. Moreover, some people may become so intoxicated that they make poor decisions which they would never have carried out otherwise, and this can include getting behind the wheel even though one is not sober.

What are the treatments for alcohol addiction?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Palumbo & Renaud posted in Drunk Driving on Monday, September 17, 2018.

If you’ve recently received a DUI in New Jersey, your problems may stem beyond legal issues. You might be concerned about seeking treatment for alcohol addiction, which can result in arrests, strained interpersonal relationships, and even health conditions. WebMD explains some of the more common treatment options, which may be able to help you restore your life and well-being.

Managing physical symptoms

The medical and legal risks of “study drugs”

On behalf of The Law Offices of Palumbo & Renaud on Tuesday, September 4, 2018.

As college students get into the rhythm of a new school year, many begin to feel the stress of meeting the demands of a collegiate education. Tests, papers, group projects and extracurricular activities build up to a high-intensity workload. Rutgers students are back to school this week and will soon see their workload pile up as the semesters gets into full swing with classes and activities.

Most students take advantage of campus resources such as a writing center or study group to meet curricular expectations. Some others choose the destructive, often ineffective route of turning to prescription stimulants or “study drugs” to deal with a heavy workload.

Drug bust leads to police chief's resignation

On behalf of The Law Offices of Palumbo & Renaud posted in Criminal Defense on Friday, August 31, 2018.

A common refrain often heard in connection with alleged criminal activity in Cranford is that the accused perpetrator "should have known better." That statement may imply both a strong understanding of the law and also a blatant disrespect for it. However, many criminal cases may not easily fit into such a generality. There may be times when one does not understand how serious his or her actions are viewed (at least not to the point of considering them to be criminal). Then there may also be cases where cravings and perceived needs could cause one to set aside legal standards that he or she might otherwise honor in order to satisfy an addiction.

The potential lack of clarity in criminal motives may be evidenced in a recent case involving the former police chief of the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Department. The man resigned his position and now faces criminal charges after he supposedly tried to buy cocaine online. The package allegedly containing the cocaine was delivered to a post office box. After picking it up, the man was pulled over and subsequently arrested. He now faces the potential of serving as many as five years in prison if convicted of the charges against him.