DWI lawyer Weehawken
Drivers charged in Weehawken are often surprised to learn that New Jersey does not treat driving while intoxicated as a crime. N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 makes it a motor vehicle violation heard in municipal court, with no right to a jury trial, though the licence and financial consequences remain substantial. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles New Jersey municipal court matters. Call (888) 437-7747.
What the Charge Involves
Penalties under the statute include licence forfeiture, fines, referral to the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center, and ignition interlock requirements, with jail exposure arising at a second and third offense. Because the charge is not criminal, a conviction does not create a criminal record in the ordinary sense, which matters for employment and immigration questions, though it does not make the consequences light.
Which Court Hears Your Case
Venue follows the place of the stop, so a Weehawken summons is heard in that municipal court regardless of where the driver is licensed. Appearance is generally expected. Whether a matter can proceed without the driver present depends on the charge and the practice of the court, and for out-of-state drivers that question should be settled well before the date.
What to Do Before Your Court Date
Obtain your driving abstract so you know what the court and the prosecutor will see. Request discovery early, because the breath testing documentation and the officer’s reports are what a defence is built from and they take time to produce and review. Do not miss the date. If you are licensed outside New Jersey, raise that at the outset, because it affects both how the matter can be handled and what happens to your licence at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am licensed in another state. What happens?
New Jersey reports the outcome to the licensing state, and what follows is governed by that state’s rules rather than by New Jersey law. It should be considered when deciding how to resolve the matter.
Is a New Jersey DWI a criminal offense?
No. Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 it is a motor vehicle violation heard in municipal court, not a crime, and there is no right to a jury trial. That distinguishes New Jersey from many other states, including Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Will I lose my licence?
Licence forfeiture is among the consequences the statute provides, along with fines, referral to the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center, and ignition interlock requirements. What applies in a given case depends on the offense number and the specific findings.
About Mr. Sris
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced since 1997 and is a former prosecutor. He is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. His background at George Mason University in accounting and information systems applies to the technical side of a breath testing case. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys handle New Jersey matters together.
Related pages
- New Jersey DWI defense
- New Jersey motor vehicle offenses
- New Jersey highway corridor tickets
- New Jersey DWI lawyer
Speak With Mr. Sris
Request a consultation. Reach our location at (888) 437-7747. Bring the summons, your court date, the name of the municipal court, and your driving abstract if you have one.
Last updated: August 25, 2026
This page provides general information about New Jersey traffic and motor vehicle law and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., principal office: 4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032. By appointment. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.
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