We normally think of police officers as being on the arresting side of drunk driving charges, but one local man is showing that even the authorities can find themselves in the defensive position. A New Jersey police officer is being charged with driving while intoxicated after an incident on Feb. 8.
According to police, the 30-year-old’s truck, a blue Chevrolet Silverado, was found in the front yard of a residence, and the man was still inside the truck. The 30-year-old man told the officer he was a member of law enforcement and that the truck had run off the road.
According to reports, the man has been with the Parsippany Police Department for around a year and is a member of the patrol division. The responding officer believed that the man had been drinking due to the alleged smell of alcohol on his breath. The officer conducted a field sobriety test and placed the man under arrest.
In addition to the DWI, the man has also been charged with reckless driving. According to reports, there was a female passenger in the Silverado at the time of the incident, but she refused medical treatment. The Parsippany Police Chief told reporters that there would be no comment on personnel matters.
The procedures followed during a field sobriety test, as well as the results, can have a significant impact on the defense strategy in these types of cases. Those facing drunk driving charges may be dealing with serious penalties and long-term repercussions in the event of a conviction. A person with multiple offenses or who caused an accident as a result of driving under the influence may have additional obstacles to overcome, making a thorough understanding of the laws involved crucial.