If you have been accused of DWI in New Jersey, it is not a guarantee you will be found guilty. Not all DWI cases end in a conviction. In fact, a portion of DWI cases ending in conviction have decreased in New Jersey in recent years. Between 2008 and 2017, the conviction rate in New Jersey DWI cases dropped from 85 percent to 71 percent, according to state data. Meanwhile, dismissal rates have seen a big increase.
The percentage of dismissed New Jersey DWI cases rose from 10 percent to 24 percent over the above-mentioned period. Many of these case dismissals involved a defendant pleading to some other charge through an “alternative disposition”.
DWI cases involving allegations of drugged driving are believed to be a contributor to these recent trends in New Jersey. But why might such an increase lead to a lower conviction rate? It’s simple: drugged driving can be more difficult to prove than drunk driving, as tests for drugged driving are not as reliable.
Many factors can influence how likely a conviction is in a DWI case, including what evidence authorities have and how they obtained it. Skilled DWI attorneys can:
- Analyze the strength of the prosecution’s case
- Advise a suspect on what this means for his or her defense options
- Help a suspect understand which of his or her defense options would likely be best-aligned with his or her overall goals
If you have been convicted of a DWI, contacting an attorney is your best course of action. Our firm is available to assist you with any legal assistance you may seek, and we strive to help you in any way that we can.
