If there is a dispute over procedural rights, a criminal defense attorney knows that the best forum for determining them is the courtroom, rather than in the field. For example, a defense that alleges that a police stop of an accused lacked legal justification may be nuanced, requiring careful arguments. In the moment, however, a driver who is flagged would be best served by stopping and cooperating with police, within the boundaries of his or her right against self-incrimination.
Unfortunately, one New Jersey man may not have been thinking clearly when he took police on a traffic chase on the Garden State Parkway. According to New Jersey State Police, the chase covered nearly 10 miles, between mile markers 145 and 154, around 1 a.m. on a recent early morning. The 26-year-old driver was topped only after police deployed tire deflation devices on his truck. Even then, the man kept driving on deflated tires for some distance.
Given the ordeal he put authorities through, it may not surprise readers to learn that the man’s bail at Essex County jail was set at $25,000, with a 10 percent option. He has been charged for drunk driving, and the car chase may also translate into an additional traffic violation, such as reckless driving.
Although the facts in this particular arrest may seem incriminating, a criminal defense attorney knows that there is often an opportunity to take an aggressive and strategic approach to asserting an accused’s rights. That approach may serve various strategies, such as reducing the charges or requesting alternative penalties, in the event of a conviction. Accordingly, an attorney might be able to present a strong defense even for the man in this story.
Source: NJ.com, “Police pursuit of Morristown man along Garden State Parkway ends with crash near Clifton,” Kathryn Brenzel, March 31, 2014