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StevenEllmanLaw.com | 609-362-5933 | January 2025
MEDFORD OFFICE 617 Stokes Road, Suite 108 Medford, NJ 08055
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NEWARK OFFICE One Gateway Center, Suite 2600 Newark, NJ 07102
FIGHTING EVERY CASE TO THE FINISH RELENTLESS DUI DEFENDER
Many of my clients benefit from similar outcomes weekly, if not daily. By telling the story of this case and others like it in this newsletter, I hope to demonstrate the kind of results you might expect if you, your family, or your friends retain me to defend you against DUI charges in New Jersey. I secure numerous dismissals and reduced charges every month, thanks to my 37 years of experience in DUI defense, my willingness to take cases to trial, and the credibility and trust I have earned among prosecutors and judges statewide. As the story of this single father illustrates, the state’s evidence in DUI cases must prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Just because you received a ticket for a DUI doesn’t mean you are going to be found guilty. The state must meet certain foundational requirements to obtain a conviction, and many cases are dismissed because of weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. In a recent example, I won dismissal of DUI charges against a minor because of a technical error: The officer mistakenly wrote the ticket as a regular DUI against an adult driver. In another case, attention to detail won the day. A New York attorney called upon me to defend his 17-year-old son against DUI charges in New Jersey. The teen was smart, well-educated, and fit. A DUI conviction would have been devastating for this young man’s career.
At first glance, the crash scene looked like an open-and-shut DUI. The serious one-car accident had crushed the car’s front end and deployed the airbags, causing fluid leaks from the engine. The driver had a bad concussion. A conviction on the DUI charges the police hit him with that night would have been devastating. A single father with a previous DUI, the driver was at risk of losing his license for 1–2 years, his lucrative job at a stylish New York City restaurant, and his ability to support his 17-year-old child who lived with him. He was racked with anxiety when he contacted me to defend him. Fortunately, I was able to find a hole in the state’s case. My client had refused a field sobriety test and later, at the police station, he was also charged with refusing to take a Breathalyzer test, leaving police with no medical evidence. Video evidence, however, clearly showed that my client was unstable on his feet and confused. The police also lacked any evidence of the gravity of the crash, but it was obvious in photos submitted by my client that the wreck and the resulting head injury could easily have left him confused and disoriented. When I described this gap in the state’s case to the prosecutor, she moved immediately to dismiss the charges, and the judge agreed. With his ability to commute to work and support his child intact, my client was elated!
In such cases, the state’s case rests on both video evidence and the thoroughness of the officer’s written description of the defendant’s performance — a critical element that was missing in this young man’s case. When I explained those weaknesses to the prosecutor, he dropped the charges. He knew I would battle the case all the way to trial if necessary and establish reasonable doubt in the minds of jurors or a judge. The prosecutor just didn’t want to go through that exercise. My clients come from all walks of life. They have a lot on the line, and I fight hard for them. I defend each one with all the proven strategies, resources, knowledge, and experience I can bring to bear. If you are facing a DUI charge or know someone who is, please call us or pass on our contact information to your family member or friend. Your driving record, reputation, and livelihood are too valuable to risk! –Steven Ellman
My client refused a Breathalyzer test but performed well in a field sobriety test.
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‘ELECTRIFIED’ WAISTS AND FAT-FIGHTING WORMS
Shocking Health Practices From the Victorian Era
Looking to lose weight? Try a diet of worms! Have back trouble? Cover yourself with magnets! If you lived in Great Britain in the 19th century, you would likely have been familiar with these popular remedies for common health concerns. Although these long-abandoned solutions sound crazy by today’s standards, it’s worth noting that doctors in the U.S. used chloroform as an anesthetic during the same period. Medicine is an ever-evolving science, and today’s medical marvels may be tomorrow’s laughably primitive practices. That said, the Victorians’ idea of better health was wild. Many women of the era would ingest a tapeworm egg to achieve most people’s dream of losing weight while eating whatever they wanted. Once hatched, the parasite would theoretically eat part of whatever their hostesses consumed — a diet method more “Alien” than Atkins. In addition to the
questionable practice of allowing a worm to live inside them, Victorian ladies also had to figure out how to remove it once they had achieved their ideal weight. Placing a glass of milk near one’s bottom to lure it out was among the most popular methods.
If squatting over dairy to extract a creepy crawly resulted in back pain, sufferers could take advantage of a widespread treatment: the “electric corset.” Billed by manufacturers as “scientifically constructed” and “the ‘very thing’ for ladies,” this device used magnetized steel plates — not electricity — to supposedly bring “health, comfort, and elegance” to the person wearing it. Unsurprisingly, the product was largely dismissed as a fraud by the late 1800s.
HOW WE WIN MORE THAN 4 OUT OF 5 CASES CRUSHING THE ODDS
in the prosecution’s case. I travel throughout 150 jurisdictions in northern, central, and southern New Jersey to defend clients all over the state. We enlist the best possible experts to testify. I am an expert on the medical tests police use to establish guilt because I have taken professional training in them all. I have built a statewide reputation among prosecutors and judges for transparency, honesty, and fairness in all my dealings. They also know I am patient and determined. I will take cases to trial if necessary, even if it takes a year or more to reach a resolution. My results speak for themselves. My clients come from all walks of life, including doctors, nurses, lawyers, and pharmacists. I believe every defendant is entitled to respect, honest and vigorous representation, and complete transparency. I also strive to calm my clients’ anxiety. Some text me on evenings or weekends for reassurance. My message is always the same: “Trust the process.” Everybody makes mistakes. Receiving a DUI charge doesn’t make you a bad person, and blowing a 0.08 or higher in a Breathalyzer test doesn’t make you guilty. If you or someone you know is facing a potential DUI conviction in New Jersey, contact our office today for a consultation.
People we defend against DUI charges nearly always feel vulnerable and scared. At risk of losing their livelihood, their freedom, their reputation, or all three, they invariably ask if there is a chance of getting the charges dismissed. I am glad to reassure them that we have an 82% success rate in getting charges sharply reduced or dismissed, based on data from a recent five- year period. Achieving a win rate like that isn’t easy. We delve into each client’s case in painstaking detail, dissecting all the evidence in search of weaknesses
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How Police Gather Evidence in a DUI Case Behind the Sobriety Tests More than three-fifths of Americans drink alcohol at least occasionally, and many rely on a casual assessment of their mental state when deciding whether they are too “buzzed” or “hammered” to get behind the wheel. The tests police use to build a DUI case against drivers, however, are anything but casual. New Jersey’s “implied consent” law requires drivers to submit to Breathalyzer or blood tests for blood alcohol content (BAC) or face penalties for refusing. A driver is considered intoxicated if the tests show a BAC of 0.08% or higher. This strict limit is the same as in all other states except Utah, which imposes a 0.05% limit. Truck and bus drivers are held to a stricter limit of 0.04%, and the limit for New Jersey drivers under 21 is even lower, at 0.01%. Police often use field sobriety tests as a first step toward assessing a suspect’s sobriety, including a one-leg stand test for balance and a walk-and-turn test of the suspect’s ability to walk a straight line. A third assessment is the horizontal gaze test for nystagmus or involuntary jerking of the eyeballs. While drinking can cause nystagmus, other potential causes can shape the results of this test, including the use of antidepressants or seizure medications or wearing contact lenses. If a driver’s performance on the field sobriety tests raises suspicion, officers typically ask them to blow into a breath-testing device. Regardless of the BAC test results, police also document as evidence other signs of impairment, including a suspect’s erratic driving behavior, bloodshot eyes, flushed face, difficulty concentrating, or slurred speech. Results of BAC tests also help determine penalties for DUI. While any driver convicted of DUI may spend up to 30 days in jail, a defendant whose BAC was 0.15% or more is subject to a maximum one-year license suspension and more than $3,000 in fees. That compares with the less harsh three-month suspension and $400 maximum in fines and fees for a driver with a BAC of 0.08%. Defending drivers against technical errors in how these tests are administered, interpreted, and used in DUI cases can be a complex challenge. If you or someone you know faces DUI charges in New Jersey based on BAC testing, don’t hesitate to call us or refer them to our offices today!
BEGINNINGS BLANKETS CARNATION CAPRICORN
GARNET HEALTHY ICICLE PENGUIN
PLANNING RESOLUTION SNOWBOARD SOUPY
WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING “I highly recommend Steven Ellman for the job. Lawyer of the century, he’s very professional. Answers all questions, and gets the job done! I was very impressed with the outcome of my situation, and his legal fees are very reasonable. He’s definitely worth 20 stars! Thank you so much, Mr. Ellman!”
—Keiyan G.
“I would highly recommend Steve Ellman as your lawyer. He helped me through a hard time. He took his time analyzing all angles to represent the case in the best way possible. He was able to get my charges dropped to just a reckless driving charge. He also has been a great friend, helping me stay positive to get through these hard times. Highly recommend him!” —Kalpesh B.
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617 Stokes Road, Suite 108 Medford, NJ 08055 StevenEllmanLaw.com 609-362-5933
Inside This Issue
Relentless DUI Defense Wins the Day for Clients page 1 Bizarre Beliefs of the 19th Century page 2 How We Achieve an 82% Success Rate for Our Clients page 2 The Tests Police Use to Build a DUI Case page 3 What Our Clients Are Saying page 3 Crime and Cavities page 4
RUNAWAY ‘DENTIST’ DODGES DETECTION From Aggravated Assault to Dental Drama While TikTok may be a go-to app for funny videos, it’s probably not the best way to find a new dentist.
In one infamous case, she was accused of shooting at her boyfriend’s former girlfriend. Her record also includes a December 2016 conviction for the delivery of a controlled substance. “Juanetta Solomon is the definition of a career habitual offender,” commented Andy Kahan, director of victim services and advocacy at Crime Stoppers of Houston, in a story on Katy Magazine Online. “She’s been in prison multiple times in different counties,
Last year, Texas-based “dentist” Nikki Calloway used TikTok to generate buzz for her business, ISmilez Cosmetic Designz. The campaign attracted new patients, including one who scheduled an appointment after receiving a $1,350 quote from Calloway to have 16 teeth removed, replaced, and a bridge added. There was only one
problem: “Nikki Calloway” wasn’t a licensed dentist. In reality, she was Juanetta Solomon, a notorious local felon with a long history of crime. The botched dental surgery left the patient dizzy, bleeding, and with a tooth that fell out shortly afterward — and prompted Solomon to go on the run from the law. According to authorities, Solomon had operated her “dentistry” office while out on bond for a weapons charge. Her past offenses include assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and unlawful carrying of a weapon by a felon — and that was just in 2023 and 2024!
so it’s no surprise she is once again wanted. Her latest offense is extremely brutal, pretending to be a dentist [and] causing undue pain and stress on individuals, so the quicker we get her back in custody, the less anyone has to suffer as a result of her criminal conduct.” Law enforcement was still attempting to capture Solomon at the time of this writing. Her bizarre turn as a “dentist” serves as a chilling reminder that Google and a little research — not social media — are the best tools to determine whether your chosen provider is a professional or someone destined for prison.
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