A DWI charge in Burlington County New Jersey is serious, but it is even more serious when children are involved. Considered a traffic ticket, driving while intoxicated is not a criminal offense. However, this traffic ticket includes very high fines, required license suspension, and the possibility of jail.
There are two ways a Burlington County DWI charge can be intensified due to children. If the offense occurs in a school zone, the fines are significantly increased. If the DWI happens while a minor is in the car, there is the possibility of the additional charge of either disorderly conduct or even child endangerment.
Regardless of whether you are in a school zone or you have children in the back seat, a DWI charge begins with a police officer trying to determine if you are intoxicated. The officer will look for signs of impairment through field sobriety testing and then breath testing. The legal limit in New Jersey is .08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Even if you are below the legal limit, police departments will still charge a person with DWI, if field sobriety tests were failed.
After the initial ticket, the court time begins. Burlington County Courts try to handle all DWI cases within 60 days. Unless an attorney has been hired, defendants will first appear in court for an arraignment. If a case is going to be dismissed, it will often be dismissed in the pre-trial phase. The pre-trial phase normally happens about 30 days after the arraignment. If the case is not dismissed in pre-trial phase, it will go to trial to be heard by a judge. At trial, the defendant is able to plead all relevant defenses and attack the prosecution’s case.
If you are charged with DWI in a school zone, here are some of the penalties for a first offense:
- First Offense DWI (in a school zone)
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- $500- $800 in fines (plus additional court fees)
- DMV Charge of $1000/year for three years
- Up to 60 days in jail
- 1 to 2 years license suspension
Although fighting a Burlington County DWI charge is a very difficult thing to do on your own, it can and has been done with attorney representation. Sometimes cases can be dropped in pre-trial phase. If a case goes to trial, a prior motion hearing can prevent the judge from hearing certain evidence. Finally, an attorney can challenge any field and chemical tests that were administered to prove intoxication, find witnesses to support your case, and cross examine witnesses provided by the state. There are ways to fight a DWI charge, if you are well prepared.
Municipal Courthouses in Burlington County:
- Burlington County Superior Court – Municipal Division
Mt Holly NJ Tel: 609-518-2515 - Bass River Municipal Court
New Gretna, NJ Tel: 609-296-1410 - Beverly City Municipal Court
Beverly NJ Tel: 609-387-0061 - Bordentown City Municipal Court
Bordentown NJ Tel: 609-298-2800 - Burlington Township Municipal Court
Burlington, NJ Tel:609- 239-5825 - Chesterfield Township Municipal Court
Jacobstown NJ Tel:609-758-2522 - Cinnaminson Municipal Court
Cinnaminson NJ Tel: 856-829-4027 - Delanco Township Municipal Court
Delanco NJ Tel: 856-461-0181 - Delran Municipal Court
Delran NJ Tel: 856-461-3888 - Edgewater Park Municipal Court
Edgewater Park NJ Tel: 609-877-7645 - Evesham Township Municipal Court
Marlton NJ Tel: 856-983-2929 - Fieldsboro Municipal Court
Fieldsboro NJ Tel: 609-298-1616 - Florence Township Municipal Court
Florence NJ Tel: 609-499-2222 - Hainesport Township Municipal Court
Westampton NJ Tel: 609-267-1895 - Lumberton Township Municipal Court
Lumberton NJ Tel: 609-267-3389 - Mansfield Township Municipal Court
Columbus NJ Tel: 609-298-0649 - Maple Shade Township Municipal Court
Maple Shade NJ Tel: 856-779-9610 - Medford Lakes Municipal Court
Medford Lakes NJ Tel: 609-654-7589 - Medford Township Municipal Court
Medford NJ 08055 Tel: 609-654-8813 - Moorestown Township Municipal Court
Moorestown NJ Tel: 856-235-0922 - Mount Laurel Municipal Court
Mount Laurel NJ Tel: 856-234-2003 - New Hanover Township Municipal Court
Cookstown NJ Tel: 609-758-7172 - North Hanover Municipal Court
Jacobstown NJ Tel: 609-758-2522 - Palmyra Borough Municipal Court
Palmyra NJ Tel: 856-829-1763 - Pemberton Township Municipal Court
Pemberton NJ Tel: 609-894-3337 - Riverside Township Municipal Court
Riverside, NJ Tel: 856-461-0466 - Shamong Township Municipal Court
Shamong NJ Tel: 609-268-2377 - Southampton Municipal Court
Southampton NJ Tel: 609-859-2747 - Springfield Township Court
Jobstown NJ Tel: 609-723-2465 - Tabernacle Township Municipal Court
Tabernacle NJ Tel: 609-268-0363 - Township of Washington Municipal Court
Washington Township NJ Tel: 201-664-2488 - Westampton Township Municipal Court
Westampton, NJ Tel: 609-267-1895 - Willingboro Township Municipal Court
Willingboro NJ Tel: 609-877-2200 - Woodland Township Municipal Court
Chatsworth NJ Tel: 609-726-9049
Burlington County Sheriff’s Department
49 Rancocas Road
Mt. Holly, NJ 08060
609-265-5127
http://www.co.burlington.nj.us/pages/viewdepartment.aspx?did=61
Burlington County Court Facility
49 Rancocas Road
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
609-518-2600
http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/burlington/index.htm
webmaster.mailbox@judiciary.state.nj.us
