DWI lawyer Chatham
A DWI summons issued in Chatham is heard in the municipal court for that municipality. Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 the charge is a motor vehicle violation rather than a criminal offense, decided by a judge without a jury, and that procedural setting shapes how the case is defended. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles New Jersey municipal court matters. Call (888) 437-7747.
What the Charge Involves
The statute reaches two routes to the same charge. One is a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more, established through breath testing. The other is operation while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a narcotic, hallucinogenic or habit-producing drug, which does not depend on any numeric reading and rests instead on observation, field testing, and in drug cases the opinion of a trained evaluator.
Which Court Hears Your Case
A summons issued in Chatham is returnable in that municipality’s court. Because there is no jury, the presentation is made to a judge who hears these matters regularly and knows the officers who appear. That is a different environment from a criminal court, and it rewards preparation on the technical record rather than argument aimed at a lay audience.
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
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.
Do I get a jury trial?
No. These matters are decided by a municipal court judge sitting without a jury, because the charge is a motor vehicle violation rather than a criminal offense.
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.
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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