For NJ DWI Call (856) 429-2323

For PA DUI Call (215) 496-9292

In Ocean County, New Jersey, drinking and driving may only land you a traffic ticket, but it may be the worst traffic ticket you’ve ever received. Driving while intoxicated includes operating a vehicle while under the influence of certain drugs or alcohol and letting someone who is impaired drive your vehicle. Even though it is technically not considered a crime, there are heavy mandatory fees if you are found guilty. There are also the penalties of license suspension, possible jail time, and increased insurance costs when the license is reinstated.

If you are pulled over for a possible DWI in Ocean County, the first thing that will happen is field sobriety testing by the police officer. In New Jersey, you can be convicted of DWI based on the observational testimony from field tests or from chemical testing. Chemical tests include breath, blood or urine. In New Jersey, the standard legal limit of blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08%. If you happen to be under the age of 21 when you are charged with DWI, the legal limit of BAC is dropped to .01%. Following any proof of intoxication, the officer will issue a ticket and either keep you in the police station until you are sober, or release you to a sober adult that can drive you home.

Over the next 60 days, the traffic ticket will be dealt with in court. If an attorney is not obtained prior, an arraignment will be the first court appearance. Defendants with an attorney typically have this appearance waived while defendants without an attorney are required to attend. There are no plea bargains in New Jersey DWI cases. A prosecutor has to be convinced that the State cannot prove the DWI charge in court.

The pre-trial phase is the earliest time a NJ DWI case can be resolved. It typically occurs within 30 days of the arraignment. If the issue continues to trial, an attorney can obtain a motion hearing to prohibit certain evidence from being used in trial. In Ocean County DWI cases, the trial will be heard by a judge and not a jury. Trial provides the defendant an opportunity to challenge any proof of intoxication that the police officers produced.

DWI charges in New Jersey can be won, but generally require the help of an attorney. This is because New Jersey DWI cases are quite unique and can be complicated. Attorneys are helpful because they can fight a DWI charge by challenging proof of intoxication and having certain evidence suppressed. With help, an Ocean County DWI charge does not have to be a DWI conviction.

Ocean County Municipal Courthouses Contact Information:

  • Barnegat Light Municipal Court
  • Barnegat Light NJ Tel: 609-494-7336
  • Barnegat Township Municipal Court
  • Barnegat NJ Tel: 609-698-0080
  • Bay Head Borough Municipal Court
  • Bay Head NJ Tel: 732-892-4737
  • Beach Haven Borough Municipal Court
  • Beach Haven NJ Tel: 609-492-4548
  • Beachwood Municipal Court
  • Beachwood NJ Tel: 732-286-6000
  • Berkeley Township Municipal Court
  • Bayville NJ Tel: 732-240-6661
  • Brick Township Municipal Court
  • Brick NJ Tel: 732-262-1232
  • Eagleswood Township Municipal Court
  • Little Egg Harb NJ Tel: 609-296-7241
  • Harvey Cedar Borough Municipal Court
  • Harvey Cedars NJ Tel: 609-494-9026
  • Island Heights Municipal Court
  • Island Heights NJ Tel: 732-270-6161
  • Jackson Township Municipal Court
  • Jackson NJ Tel: 732-928-1205
  • Lacey Township Municipal Court
  • Forked River NJ Tel: 609-693-1100 Ext 2262
  • Lakehurst Borough Municipal Court
  • Lakehurst NJ Tel: 732-657-4151
  • Lakewood Municipal Court
  • Lakewood NJ Tel: 732-905-5988
  • Lavallette Municipal Court
  • Lavallette NJ Tel: 732-830-1911
  • Little Egg Harbor Municipal Court
  • Little Egg Harb NJ Tel: 609-296-7241
  • Long Beach Township Municipal Court
  • Brant Beach NJ Tel: 609-361-1000
  • Manchester Township Municipal Court
  • Manchester NJ Tel: 732-657-8121 Ext 1119
  • Mantoloking Municipal Court
  • Mantoloking NJ Tel: 732-899-6604
  • Ocean Gate Municipal Court
  • Ocean Gate NJ Tel: 732-269-3166 Ext 21
  • Ocean Township Municipal Court
  • Waretown NJ Tel: 609-693-3332
  • Pine Beach Borough Municipal Court
  • Pine Beach NJ Tel: 732-349-6453
  • Plumsted Township Municipal Court
  • New Egypt NJ Tel: 609-758-2241
  • Point Pleasant Beach Municipal Court
  • Point Pleasant Beach NJ Tel: 732-892-1118 Ext 131
  • Point Pleasant Borough Municipal Court
  • Point Pleasant NJ Tel: 732-899-1636
  • Seaside Heights Municipal Court
  • Seaside Heights NJ Tel: 732-830-2202
  • Seaside Park Borough Municipal Court
  • Seaside Park NJ 08752 Tel: 732-793-5116
  • Ship Bottom Municipal Court
  • Ship Bottom NJ Tel: 609-494-7213
  • South Toms River Municipal Court
  • South Toms River NJ Tel: 732-349-1141
  • Stafford Township Municipal Court
  • Manahawkin NJ Tel: 609-597-1000
  • Surf City Borough Municipal Court
  • Surf City NJ Tel: 609-494-3984
  • Tuckerton Borough Municipal Court
  • Tuckerton NJ Tel: 609-296-2036

Ocean County Sheriff’s Department

120 Hooper Ave

Toms River, NJ 08753

(732) 929-2044

24 Hour Emergency: (732) 349-2010

http://www.co.ocean.nj.us/

Ocean County Courthouse

118 Washington Street

Toms River, NJ 08754

732-244-2121

http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/ocean/index.htm

webmaster.mailbox@judiciary.state.nj.us

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