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StevenEllmanLaw.com | 609-362-5933 | May 2025
MEDFORD OFFICE 617 Stokes Road, Suite 108 Medford, NJ 08055
NEW BRUNSWICK OFFICE 317 George St, Suite 320 New Brunswick, NJ 08901
NEWARK OFFICE One Gateway Center, Suite 2600 Newark, NJ 07102
FIGHTING FOR YOUR FUTURE What Makes Our Firm Different?
Going the Distance I am willing to go the extra mile in court for my clients — literally. I drive 100–300 miles a day among hundreds of municipal courts to defend them. Most cases are resolved in less than two months, but I will extend them for a year, through judicial conferences or all the way to trial if necessary, to extract the best outcome. I recently won a dismissal of DUI charges against one of my clients partly because the prosecutor knew I would take the case to trial. The state’s case was based on an officer’s observations of my client’s behavior, and the prosecutor just didn’t want to go through the exercise of defending those observations in court. He didn’t have to dig into his files to verify what I told him. He knew me, trusted my description of the evidence, and took my word for it. Reasonable Fees My services are competitively priced at $5,000. A few DUI attorneys in the state have experience comparable to mine, but their fees are 2–3 times higher. Unlike most attorneys, I am willing to set up a monthly payment plan. I’m also accessible and open with my clients. Some attorneys hide the ball, refusing to discuss defense strategies. I’m willing to explain how we intend to defend against DUI charges. If clients are honest and forthcoming with me, I can explain the flaws in the state’s case as well as any weaknesses in our defense. Even for clients who believe all is lost, I encourage them to help me mount a strong
People sometimes wonder what makes our firm different from the hundreds of other attorneys who defend DUI cases in our state. Many strengths set us apart, from my 39 years of experience as a seasoned litigator to my high success rate on behalf of my clients. I take a detail-oriented, highly personal approach, and I fight hard to get the best possible outcome in each case. While some lawyers are quick to settle DUI cases, I am willing to go the distance and take a case all the way to trial if necessary. I recently won a verdict of “not guilty” for a client on charges of DUI, refusing a Breathalyzer test, and reckless driving. My client was found guilty on only one count, of driving with an expired vehicle registration — the original reason for the traffic stop. Justice can be won in complicated cases like his, but only through a proper defense, including skilled cross-examinations by an experienced DUI defense attorney. I’m aggressive on my clients’ behalf, and I am also extremely thorough in gathering evidence, deposing witnesses, obtaining documents, and assessing prosecutors’ confidence in their case. Among the many prosecutors who know me, I am usually the last attorney they meet with on any given day to discuss plea bargains. I suspect they start with the easy ones who aren’t as likely to get into a wrestling match and put me at the end — because they know my defense strategy is likely to involve a lengthy discussion.
defense. For example, if the state’s case is weak and the client has medical records to support a challenge to the Breathalyzer test results, I can make a case for dismissal. I can genuinely empathize with the tragedy and suffering my clients must endure. I have experienced serious personal setbacks myself, and I understand the pain such events can cause. If you or someone you know is facing DUI charges, call or email our office today for a free consultation. We strive to make a difference in our clients’ lives, and we will do the same for you! –Steven Ellman
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MIND-BENDING MAMA
GUINNESS NAMES WORLD’S MOST PRODUCTIVE MOTHER
You may have heard of Octomom, the California mother of 14 who gave birth to octuplets, or the woman in Morocco who gave birth to nonuplets in 2021, all nine of whom are alive and well. These record-breaking moms have nothing on Mrs. Feodor Vassilyev. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the 18th- century Russian woman gave birth to 69 children — including 16 pairs of twins, seven sets of triplets, and four sets of quadruplets! Even the Guinness editors admit the story seems unlikely, but they cite “numerous contemporaneous sources” to back the story. The first was a monastery in the town of
Nikolsk, northeast of Moscow, where monks recorded and reported the births to Moscow officials in 1782. The Lancet, a respected medical journal, recounted in 1878 an account by French researchers from the “Statistical Works of Russia,” showing that Mrs. Vassilyev’s husband had spawned 87 children by two wives. Separately, The Gentleman’s Magazine, an 18th and 19th-century English periodical, published a report by a writer claiming to have an original letter, dated 1782, saying that O.S. Feodor Wassilief (sic), age 75, had 69 children via 27 births by his first wife and 18 children via eight births by his second wife, for a total
of 87 offspring! Citing information from an English merchant in St. Petersburg, the writer said 84 of the children had survived, and the father had been invited to meet the empress, Catherine the Great. The first Mrs. Vassilyev’s remarkable record suggests that she was pregnant for 243
months, or more than 20 years, of her life — more than half the average life expectancy of Russian women in that era! Think Before You Refuse The Risks of Refusing a Breathalyzer Test
Many drivers wonder whether they can legally refuse a
An officer must have grounds to suspect you have been drinking before requesting a breath test, however. But once they have asked for it, you are legally required to comply. Even if a driver is not convicted of DUI, the penalties for refusal still hold. Also, refusing a Breathalyzer test does not protect you from a DUI charge because an officer can cite other evidence, such as erratic driving or smelling alcohol on a driver’s breath.
Breathalyzer test when pulled over on a suspected DUI. The potential
consequences depend on the circumstances and the protocol the officer follows.
The bottom line: It may be better under some circumstances to submit to the Breathalyzer test and let your attorney challenge the results in court.
That doesn’t mean drivers stopped on suspicion of DUI don’t have any rights. Officers must follow protocols, informing you of the implied consent law and explaining the reason they pulled you over. The Breathalyzer device must be properly calibrated and the officer must be trained to use it. Also, drivers aren’t required to answer incriminating questions. Remaining polite and cooperative and recording interactions with the officer or taking notes afterward can be helpful for your defense. Beyond that, drivers accused of DUI need a skilled, experienced DUI lawyer to navigate the potential consequences of DUI charges. With the benefit of 39 years of experience, we can assist you by mounting the strongest possible defense, negotiating with prosecutors, and taking your case to trial if necessary. Call us today for a free consultation.
Drivers in New Jersey are required under the state’s “implied consent” law to
agree to a Breathalyzer test if they are suspected of DUI. States have passed tough laws like this one for a reason: One person dies every 45 minutes from a crash related to drunk driving, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The potential consequences of refusing include hefty fines and suspension of your license for up to a year. Drivers who refuse can also be required to install an ignition interlock device that prevents their vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected when they blow into its mouthpiece. Their insurance premiums may rise sharply, too, piling financial penalties on top of the legal woes.
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DUI: A Permanent Mark on Your Driving Record Casting a Long Shadow People charged with DUI often worry about how long a conviction would haunt them, asking, “How long does a DUI stay on your record?”
BLOOM CINCO DERBY EMERALD
GEMINI GRADUATION LILY MEMORIAL
MOTHER ROSES TEACHER VETERANS
They never like the answer: Forever.
A DUI is a traffic violation in New Jersey rather than a criminal conviction. While some states allow expungement or sealing of court records of a DUI conviction under some circumstances, a conviction in New Jersey stays on your record for life. The police and the courts can see it there, and if you get another one, that prior offense may make the consequences worse. A DUI in New Jersey will not show up on a criminal background check unless the incident involved other criminal charges. This is one reason many employers check an applicant’s driving record, as well as criminal records, as part of a preemployment background check. Insurance companies and any law enforcement agency also can see previous DUIs on your driving record. Your auto insurance premiums may double or even triple for the next 3–5 years. Some insurers may cancel your policy outright. There are some bright spots. If you aren’t convicted of another DUI for 10 years, the penalties are likely to lessen. Your insurance premiums may ease closer to earlier levels. Comparing insurance companies and taking a defensive driving course may improve your odds of lowering your premiums. Other steps to improve your reputation, including paying your premiums on time and maintaining a high credit score, may also be helpful. Also, if you were charged with a crime related to the DUI, that offense is eligible for expungement under some circumstances. Given those constraints, what recourse does a driver with a DUI have? Avoid getting another one! These tough consequences are among the many reasons why moving quickly to engage a skilled, experienced DUI lawyer is essential to securing your future. In New Jersey, records of a DUI arrest are expunged immediately if the charges are dismissed or if the driver is acquitted. With the right legal help, you can increase your chances of avoiding a DUI conviction and moving ahead with your life.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING “I had a very serious charge leveled against me. I knew I was going to need an attorney. Steven was the first to call me back. Steven answered questions very quickly. He has a very supportive staff who are available if he is not. We had a tremendously good outcome which superseded any of my own expectations. Steven is worth every cent, and while I hope never to have to use his services again, I am certainly pleased in knowing there are attorneys like him and his staff.” — Michael V. “If there were 50 stars, I would give Mr. Ellman that! He is the most kind, compassionate, knowledgeable attorney I have ever met, and I have worked for many attorneys and also been represented by many others. He got me the BEST OUTCOME for my case, and I didn’t even think that was possible! His assistant is very kind, caring, and helpful, and together they literally saved my life! I would recommend him to anyone, including family members, because he gets results that will really change your life for the better. I think of him as a lifelong friend and would recommend him to anyone who finds themselves in a bad situation. He really is the BEST attorney I have ever met!” — Lisa B.
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617 Stokes Road, Suite 108 Medford, NJ 08055 StevenEllmanLaw.com 609-362-5933
Inside This Issue
What Separates Our Firm From the Competition page 1 Record-Breaking Russian Mom Gives Birth to 69 Children page 2 Is It Ever Wise to Refuse a Breathalyzer Test in New Jersey? page 2 DUI: The Conviction That Follows You for Life page 3 What Our Clients Are Saying page 3 Too Heavy? Detroit Rapper Takes Legal Action Against Lyft page 4
Detroit Woman Sues Lyft Over Driver’s Discriminatory Behavior RIDESHARE REFUSAL
Rideshare services like Lyft and Uber have become popular ways for Americans to get from point A to point B. Most drivers are courteous, kind, and conversational as long as you return the favor and respect their vehicle. However, not every ride will be perfect. Every once in a while, you encounter a rude, unaccommodating, or disrespectful
Realizing something wasn’t right, Blanding pulled out her phone and started recording. The driver claimed that Blanding was too big to fit in the back seat and that his vehicle’s tires could not support her weight. Blanding assured the driver she could fit, but he responded, “Believe me, you can’t.” He encouraged her to order a Lyft XL before apologizing, canceling and refunding her ride, and driving away. Blanding, who says she weighs about 490 pounds, has since obtained legal counsel who stated the Lyft driver’s actions were against the law. Michigan is the only state where weight is a protected characteristic. Her attorney claims that denying someone a ride based on their weight is the same as denying them due to their race or religion under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. Lyft released a statement afterward, stating that it “unequivocally condemns all forms of discrimination.” Blanding is currently suing Lyft and the driver for damages, including stress, humiliation, embarrassment, outrage, mental anguish, fear, and mortification, as well as emotional, economic, and noneconomic damages.
driver. A Detroit woman recently found herself in a disagreement with a Lyft driver who was unwilling to provide service, resulting in a lawsuit. This past January, Detroit rapper Dajua Blanding, known on stage as Dank Demoss, requested a Lyft to drive her to her cousin’s house so she could attend a Detroit Lions watch party. The driver arrived at her home 10–15 minutes later in his Mercedes-Benz sedan but locked the doors upon seeing Blanding approach his vehicle. The driver, identified as John Doe, refused to let Blanding in his car.
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