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Home >> Legal Elements of a DUI

Legal Elements of a DUI

While we await the return of DUI checkpoints to the Jersey Shore, the Law Office of Frederick P. Sisto is happy to provide tips to help you avoid a wrongful DUI conviction.

As part of any defense to a second or subsequent offense DUI charge, the accused should consider the possibility that a prior DUI conviction can be vacated. If a prior conviction is permanently vacated, the potential penalties for the present offense become substantially less severe.

The most common and least complex method for challenging a prior DUI conviction is to analyze the factual basis for a guilty plea. Municipal courts accept the factual bases in the vast majority of cases. They tend to be far more informal than superior courts with regard to the legal requirements.

The required elements of a DUI under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 are that the defendant:
1) operated or intended to operate an operable;
2) motor vehicle;
3) while under the influence of alcohol or a mind-altering drug or with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or above.

Courts often accept guilty pleas to observation cases with no elaboration on what is meant by “under the influence.” It is a technical term of art defined by the New Jersey Supreme Court as “a substantial deterioration or diminution of the mental faculties or physical capabilities of a person.” While this exact phrase does not have to be used during a plea, the colloquy should involve more than a defendant or judge just parroting the words “under the influence.” Otherwise, there is a strong argument that the defendant’s guilty plea should be vacated because s/he did not plead guilty “knowingly.”

Stay tuned for additional tips and remember that the best DUI defense is a designated driver. Have a great Memorial Day week-end!

Testimonials

Fred is a stickler for detail and communicates with clients very, very well. He is smart and astute. I would recommend him unconditionally.

Tom O   

I would highly recommend Mr. Sisto. He is very insightful and proficient, yet still down to Earth. Fred is great at communicating and breaking down the facts. But most importantly, he excels at getting results.

Bill K   

Thanks to Fred I have no criminal record whatsoever.

Luke A   

Great!!! , got my case handled in the exact manner that I was told and would recommend to everyone else in need of legal representation.

Raumelis R   
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Frederick P Sisto has earned Lawyer Legion's recognition for Community Leadership
 
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Law Office of Frederick P. Sisto

Point Pleasant Office*:
302 Hawthorne Ave, Suite 1
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742

Brick Township Office*:
223 Drum Point Road, Suite 1
Brick Township, NJ 08723

Sea Girt Office*:
2150 NJ-35,
Suite 225
Sea Girt, NJ 08750

Phone: 732-898-3232
Fax: 201-508-3393
*Office visits by appointment only.

Representing clients throughout all court jurisdictions of New Jersey.

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