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Drug DWI Leveraging More Than Two Decades of Experience to Protect Your Future

DWI with Drugs Lawyer in New Jersey

Protecting Your Rights with Strategic Legal Defense

If you're facing a driving while intoxicated with drugs (DWI with drugs) charge in New Jersey, it's crucial to act quickly with a comprehensive defense strategy. At Roberts & Teeter, LLC, we are committed to providing you with personalized and effective legal representation. 

Our seasoned attorneys, Michael Brett Roberts and Matthew Teeter, bring a wealth of experience exclusively in criminal law, ensuring every client receives direct, knowledgeable attention.

We understand the profound impact a DWI conviction can have on your life, from potential job implications to personal stress. It's our job to help mitigate these impacts, providing you with dedicated support every step of the way. At Roberts & Teeter, we aim to alleviate your burdens while vigorously defending your rights.

Let a skilled DWI with drugs lawyer in New Jersey fight for your rights. We’re available 24/7, offer free consultations, and provide affordable legal defense—call (732) 607-5553 or contact us today.

Understanding DWI with Drug Charges in New Jersey

New Jersey takes DWI with drugs charges seriously, with laws that strictly penalize drug-related driving offenses. The state follows Motor Vehicle Commission guidelines, which include severe penalties like fines, license suspension, and even jail time.

New Jersey Statute § 39:4-50 defines Driving While Intoxicated broadly to cover impairment by drugs as well as alcohol. You can be charged with DWI if you operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotics, hallucinogenic, or habit-producing drugs.

It means your physical or mental faculties are impaired by any of these substances to an extent that makes you "less safe" to drive. This is a subjective assessment, typically proven through officer observations of driving, demeanor, and performance on field sobriety tests.

This applies even if you have a valid prescription for a medication, but it impairs your ability to drive safely (e.g., side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, impaired judgment). New Jersey case law has affirmed that even lawfully prescribed drugs can lead to a DWI conviction if they cause impairment.

The Challenge of Proving Drug Impairment:

Unlike alcohol DWIs, where breathalyzers (Alcotest devices) provide an immediate Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) reading, detecting and proving drug impairment is significantly more complex for several reasons:

  • No Universal "Limit": There is no specific "legal limit" (like 0.08% BAC for alcohol) for most drugs in New Jersey. The prosecution must often prove actual impairment.
  • Drug Metabolites vs. Active Drugs: Blood or urine tests may detect drug metabolites (breakdown products) that can remain in your system long after the intoxicating effects have worn off. The mere presence of a metabolite does not necessarily mean current impairment. This is a critical distinction that your DWI with drugs lawyer in New Jersey will highlight.
  • Drug Recognition Experts (DREs): Law enforcement heavily relies on officers trained as Drug Recognition Experts (DREs). These officers conduct a 12-step evaluation process, including eye exams, vital sign checks, and psychophysical tests, to determine if a driver is impaired and, if so, which category of drugs might be causing the impairment. The scientific validity and interpretation of DRE evaluations have been a subject of significant legal debate in New Jersey.
  • Chemical Tests (Blood/Urine): Unlike breath tests for alcohol, New Jersey's implied consent laws do not apply to chemical testing for drugs. This means you are generally not required to submit to a blood or urine test for drug impairment without penalty (though officers may still request them). 

Understanding these complexities is where a dedicated DWI with drugs lawyer in New Jersey proves invaluable.

Penalties for DWI with Drugs Convictions in New Jersey

The penalties for a DWI with drugs conviction in New Jersey are severe and designed to deter impaired driving. They are generally equivalent to or more severe than the penalties for a first-offense alcohol DWI with a BAC of 0.10% or higher. Penalties escalate significantly with each subsequent offense within a 10-year look-back period.

First Offense (Traffic Offense):

  • License Suspension: Mandatory 7 months to 1 year suspension of your driving privileges.
  • Fines: $300 to $500.
  • Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC): Mandatory attendance at an IDRC for 12 to 48 hours. This program involves education about alcohol and drug abuse and a screening to determine if you have a substance abuse problem. If the IDRC recommends additional treatment, participation becomes a mandatory part of your sentence. Failure to comply can lead to extended license suspension and even jail time.
  • Jail Time: Up to 30 days in county jail. While often reserved for cases with aggravating factors, it is a possibility.
  • Insurance Surcharges: A mandatory $1,000 per year for three years (totaling $3,000) imposed by the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).
  • Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund (DDEF) Fee: $100.
  • Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Fund (AERF) Fee: $100.
  • Safe and Secure Community Program Fee: $75.
  • License Restoration Fee: $100.
  • Ignition Interlock Device (IID): Mandatory installation for 7 to 12 months after license restoration. This device prevents your vehicle from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath and requires rolling retests while driving. You bear all costs for installation, maintenance, and monitoring.

Benefits of Choosing Roberts & Teeter

Facing a DWI with drugs charge can be overwhelming, but having the right legal team can make all the difference:

  • Personalized Defense Strategies: Unlike larger firms, you will always receive direct attention from our principal attorneys, who customize strategies to fit your unique case.
  • Exclusive Criminal Law Focus: By concentrating solely on criminal law, our knowledge remains sharp and relevant, particularly in defending DWI cases.
  • Collaborative Approach: We work with private investigators and expert witnesses to reinforce your case, providing a multifaceted defense strategy.
  • Transparent Communication: Our commitment to clear and ongoing communication means you will always be informed and supported throughout the legal process.

Our commitment to understanding your unique story and tailoring every element of our approach to fit it is what sets us apart. Each case is an opportunity to fight for justice, and we treat it with the gravity it deserves. Former clients have found security in our ability to simplify complex legal situations into understandable terms, providing clarity and foresight of potential outcomes. When you choose Roberts & Teeter, you are choosing dedicated allies in your fight to protect your future.

Take Action to Protect Your Future

Don't face your DWI with drugs charge alone. With Roberts & Teeter, LLC, you'll have dedicated legal advocates ready to defend your case. To navigate your DWI charge with confidence and care, contact us for a free consultation and take the first step toward securing your future. 

Call (732) 607-5553 or reach out online today. We stand ready to support you through this challenging time, prioritizing your needs and rights every step of the way.

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What Sets Us Apart From The Rest?

Roberts & Teeter, LLC is here to help you get the results you need with a team you can trust.

  • Committed to Communicating with Clients
    The lawyers at Roberts & Teeter, LLC are dedicated to keeping clients informed about their cases.
  • Unique & Personal Representation
    Our clients are not handed off to an associate; they work exclusively with the partners of the firm.
  • Exclusive Focus on Criminal Defense
    Roberts & Teeter, LLC only handles matters and cases associated with criminal defense.

FAQs

How does New Jersey determine drug impairment?

Impairment is typically assessed using field sobriety tests, officer observations, and chemical testing (blood or urine). These methods are not foolproof. Our attorneys challenge the reliability of these tests, scrutinizing their administration, timing, and interpretation to protect your rights.

False positives and test inaccuracies are common—especially with substances that remain in your system long after impairment ends. We’re experienced in calling expert witnesses and cross-examining the science behind the evidence.

Can prescription medications result in a DWI with drugs charge?

Yes. Even legally prescribed drugs can result in DWI charges if they impair your ability to drive. This includes medications like painkillers, anti-anxiety drugs, or sleep aids. Our team works to show lawful use and lack of impairment through detailed medical records and expert input.

We may also highlight factors like proper dosage, medical necessity, and the absence of warning labels to argue against intent or recklessness—key elements in many drug-based DWI prosecutions.

How can Roberts & Teeter, LLC help me fight a drug-based DWI charge?

We offer personalized, aggressive defense strategies backed by years of experience. Our legal team investigates every detail—police reports, lab results, and your medical background—to identify errors and build a strong defense. We also keep you informed at every stage of the process.

In complex cases, we bring in toxicologists, medical professionals, and former law enforcement consultants to testify on your behalf. We don’t just defend cases—we protect futures.

Is it possible to have DWI drug charges reduced or dismissed?

Yes, depending on the facts of your case. If evidence is weak, improperly obtained, or protocols were not followed, we may be able to get your charges reduced or dismissed. Plea bargains or pretrial intervention may also be options, particularly for non-violent, first-time offenses.

We assess each case for dismissal opportunities based on procedural mistakes, probable cause challenges, or insufficient evidence of actual impairment.

How is a DWI involving drugs different from an alcohol DWI in New Jersey?

While both offenses are treated seriously, drug DWIs rely more on officer interpretation and lab testing rather than breathalyzer results. Because there is no legal "limit" like with alcohol, these cases are often more subjective—and more defensible.

Our firm is well-versed in challenging the unique evidentiary weaknesses of drug-based DWI charges, including questioning the timing and relevance of blood or urine tests.

Representation Aimed at Results

Aggressively Pursuing the Best Possible Outcome for Each Client
  • Pre-Trial Intervention Granted Possession of Marijuana
  • Case Dismissed 4th Shoplifting Offense
  • Received No Loss of License 2nd Driving While Intoxicated
  • Case Dismissed Possession of CDS, Intent to Distribute
  • Case Dismissed Aggravated Assault
    Experience Wins Cases

    With nearly two decades of combined experience the attorneys at Roberts & Teeter have what it takes to effectively fight your case and protect your future. 

    Meet Your Attorneys