Woman Allegedly Drives Drunk in Woodbridge NJ with Three Children in Car
The Woodbridge Police recently arrested a woman for driving drunk with three children in the car. According to the police, an officer observed a car traveling the wrong way in on West Westfield Avenue in Avenel, NJ. After pulling the car over, police observed that the driver appeared to be intoxicated. Additionally, police saw that there were three children young children in the car, with none of them wearing appropriate child restraints or seat belts.
As a result of the motor vehicle stop, the driver now faces criminal charges for child endangerment and motor vehicle summonses for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), consumption of an alcoholic beverage within a motor vehicle, driving with a suspended license, reckless driving, driving the wrong way on a highway, and failure to use a car seat or restraint for a child under eight years old. At this time, law enforcement has not released information about whether the driver is the mother of the three children who were in the car at the time or if the police contacted the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (“DCP&P”), formerly known as the Division of Youth and Family Services (“DYFS”).
In a case like this, it is possible that the police called DCP&P due to children being involved in the incident and because of the child endangerment charges. In fact, New Jersey’s child abuse and neglect law sets forth that “any person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to child abuse or acts of child abuse shall report the same immediately to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency by telephone or otherwise.” N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.10. Thus, although the report does not state whether police called DCP&P, an investigation may already be underway.
Anytime someone calls 1-877-NJ-ABUSE, DCP&P is required by law to conduct an investigation. Generally, DCP&P investigations entail interviews with the parent or guardian and the children. DCP&P investigators will also attempt to obtain a child’s medical records and school records during the course of an investigation and interview the person who called in the allegation. For example, if the police make a report to the Division, DCP&P will obtain the police reports related to the incident. It is also important to note that in cases where there is a pending criminal matter, anything said during a DCP&P investigation could eventually be used against the defendant in either the criminal case or by the Division in the course of determining an investigative outcome. That’s why you should consult with an experienced DCP&P defense attorney if you are being investigated by the Division.
The New Jersey DCP&P defense team at the Tormey Law Firm is experienced with protecting parents and families during DYFS investigations and working toward getting DCP&P out of your life. If you are being investigated by DCP&P, the first thing you should do is call the DCP&P defense attorneys at the Tormey Law Firm to learn more about DCP&P investigations and the potential outcomes of a DCP&P investigation.
