If You Refuse a Breathalyzer Test

New Jersey DWI Defense Lawyers

Know the Facts. Know Your Rights.

Aiello, Harris, Devero, Marth & Schiffman is committed to protecting our clients' rights and has repeatedly demonstrated our ability to succeed in the most challenging and complex drunk driving cases. If you have been arrested on drunk driving charges, contact us today.

If you refuse a breathalyzer test in the state of New Jersey, there are limited defenses available to you. Depending on the facts of the case, there may be a defense as to whether the police had sufficient probable cause to stop your car. There may also be challenges to field sobriety tests performed on you and questions regarding probable cause to arrest you.

Once in custody, however, you MUST be read the following statements exactly as they are set forth below:

Division of Motor Vehicles Standard Statement

DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES STANDARD STATEMENT
FOR OPERATORS OF A MOTOR VEHICLE – N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.2(e)
Revised eff. April 26, 2004
THE ARRESTING OFFICER MUST READ THE FOLLOWING TO THE DEFENDANT:
FULL TEXT OF STANDARD STATEMENT FOLLOWS:

1. You have been arrested for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or with a blood alcohol concentration at, or above, that permitted by law.

2. You are required by law to submit to the taking of samples of your breath for the purpose of making chemical tests to determine the content of alcohol in your blood.

3. A record of the taking of the samples, including the date, time, and results, will be made. Upon your request, a copy of that record will be made available to you.

4. Any warnings previously given to you concerning your right to consult with an attorney do not apply to the taking of breath samples and do not give you the right to refuse to give or to delay giving samples of your breath for the purpose of making chemical tests to determine the content of alcohol in your blood. You have no legal right to have an attorney, physician or anyone else present, for the purpose of taking the breath samples.

5. After you have provided samples of your breath for chemical testing, you have the right to have a person or physician of your own selection, and at your own expense, take independent samples and conduct independent chemical tests of your breath, urine, or blood.

6. If you refuse to provide samples of your breath you will be issued a separate summons for this refusal.

7. Any response that is ambiguous or conditional, in any respect, to your giving CONSENT TO THE TAKING OF BREATH SAMPLES WILL BE TREATED AS A REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO BREATH TESTING.

8. According to law, if a court of law finds you guilty of refusing to submit to chemical tests of your breath, then your license to operate a motor vehicle may be revoked by the court for a period of no less than seven months and no more than 20 years. The Court will also fine you a sum of no less than $300.00 and nor more that $2,000.00 for your refusal conviction.

9. Any license suspension or revocation for a refusal conviction will be independent of any license suspension or revocation imposed for any related offense.

10. If you are convicted of refusing to submit to chemical tests of your breath, you will be referred by the Court to an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center and you will be required to satisfy the requirements of that center in the same manner as if you had been convicted of a violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-50, or you will be subject to penalties for your failure to do so.

11. I repeat, you are required by law to submit to the taking of samples of your breath for the purpose of making chemical tests to determine the content of alcohol in your blood. Now, will you submit the samples of your breath?

ANSWER: _________________________________________

(ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE POLICE OFFICER)

IF THE PERSON: REMAINS SILENT; OR STATES, OR OTHER WISE INDICATES, THAT HE/SHE REFUSES TO ANSWER ON THE GROUNDS THAT HE/SHE HAS A RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT, OR WISHES TO CONSULT AN ATTORNEY, PHYSICIAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON; OR IF THE RESPONSE IS AMBIGUOUS OR CONDITIONAL, IN ANY RESPECT WHATSOEVER, THEN THE POLICE OFFICER SHALL READ THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL STATEMENT:

FULL TEXT OF ADDITIONAL STATEMENT FOLLOWS:

I previously informed you that the warnings given to you concerning your right to remain silent and your right to consult with an attorney, do not apply to the taking of breath samples and do not give you a right to refuse to give, or to delay giving, samples of your breath for the purpose of making chemical tests to determine the content of alcohol in your blood. Your prior response, silence, or lack of response, is unacceptable. If you do not agree, unconditionally, to provide breath samples now, then you will be issued a separate summons charging you with refusing to submit to the taking of samples of your breath for the purpose of making chemical tests to determine the content of alcohol in your blood. †††
† Once again, I ask you, will you submit to giving samples of your breath?

ANSWER: _____________________________________________________________

The State must prove that you were read this form otherwise the charge of refusing to take the test cannot stand.

Refusal carries a separate penalty from a DWI. If you are convicted of both charges, penalties can double. For a first offense (non school zone), convictions on both could result in loss of license of 12 to 18 months, second offense 4 years, and third or subsequent offense 20 years. School zone offenses double the penalties.

For a complete review of the penalties associated with refusing to take the breathalyzer test, see our DWI Penalties page.

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For more information about what happens when you refuse a breathalyzer test and a free consultation with an experienced attorney, call Aiello, Harris, Devero, Marth & Schiffman, P.C. at (908) 561-5577 or contact us online at any of our North and Central New Jersey law offices.