N.J. Supreme Court rules state council exceeded authority in DWI surcharge decision

The case dates to 2014, when lawmakers raised the DWI surcharge fee from $100 to $125, directing the additional $25 to the cost of the cameras in police cars.

By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz

Outlets: New Jersey Monitor

Published: July 6, 2026

Words: 437

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

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New Jersey’s highest court ruled that a little-known state council overstepped its authority nearly a decade ago when it tried to strike a $25 surcharge on drunk driving fines, keeping the fee in place for New Jersey drivers convicted of driving while intoxicated.

The unanimous ruling, written by Justice Michael Noriega, resolves a lawsuit filed by two drivers who argued they were owed refunds after the surcharge was supposedly invalidated in 2016.

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