Practice Limited to New Jersey DWI & DUI Defense
Colin Bonus has devoted his legal career exclusively to defending individuals charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and DUI-related offenses in New Jersey. For more than three decades, he has focused 100% of his practice on drunk and drugged driving defense — developing a depth of knowledge that very few attorneys, if any, can match.
Mr. Bonus is licensed to practice law in the State of New Jersey and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. He earned his B.A. from the University of Dayton before graduating from the University of Dayton School of Law in 1994.
Certified on the Dräger Alcotest 9510
Breath testing cases in New Jersey are governed by strict scientific and legal standards. Mr. Bonus is certified in the operation and maintenance of the Dräger Alcotest 9510, the breath testing device currently used throughout New Jersey to measure blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
Certification in the Alcotest 9510 requires hands-on training in the device’s mechanics, calibration procedures, software, and operational protocols. This technical background allows Mr. Bonus to critically evaluate:
- Calibration and inspection records
- Proper administration procedures
- Operator certification compliance
- Data download and reporting issues
- Scientific reliability challenges
He is thoroughly familiar with the New Jersey Supreme Court decisions governing breath testing admissibility, including State v. Chun and subsequent rulings that shape how Alcotest evidence is introduced in court.
Instructor-Level Certification in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST)
In addition to breath test expertise, Mr. Bonus is certified in the administration of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) and holds instructor-level certification in these tests.
Standardized Field Sobriety Tests are used by law enforcement officers to establish probable cause for arrest and to support DWI prosecutions when no scientific BAC reading is available. Very few attorneys in New Jersey possess instructor-level certification in SFSTs.
This advanced credential enables Mr. Bonus to carefully analyze whether roadside testing was conducted in strict compliance with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) guidelines, including:
- Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN)
- Walk-and-Turn
- One-Leg Stand
Improper instructions, environmental conditions, medical issues, and officer deviations from standardized procedures can significantly affect the reliability of these tests — and Mr. Bonus understands precisely how they should be administered.
Drugged Driving & Refusal Defense
Modern DWI enforcement extends beyond alcohol. Mr. Bonus defends individuals charged with drug-related DWI, including cases involving alleged marijuana impairment, prescription medications, and other controlled substances.
He also represents clients charged with refusal violations under New Jersey’s implied consent law and regularly examines:
- Whether proper refusal warnings were provided
- Whether police complied with statutory procedures
- Whether breath samples were lawfully requested
A Career Focused Exclusively on DWI Defense
Unlike general criminal defense attorneys who handle a wide variety of cases, Mr. Bonus has limited his practice to DWI and DUI defense. This singular focus allows him to stay current with evolving scientific standards, New Jersey appellate decisions, and emerging enforcement practices.
DWI charges in New Jersey carry serious consequences, including:
- License suspension
- Ignition interlock requirements
- Substantial fines and surcharges
- Insurance increases
- Possible jail time
A technical defense rooted in science, procedure, and constitutional protections can make a critical difference.
Dedicated, Experienced, and Technically Skilled Representation
When facing a DWI or DUI charge, experience matters — but so does specialization. Colin Bonus brings decades of courtroom advocacy combined with hands-on technical certification in the very tests prosecutors rely upon.
If you are seeking a lawyer whose practice is devoted exclusively to New Jersey DWI and DUI defense, Mr. Bonus offers the focused experience, scientific training, and legal knowledge necessary to challenge the State’s evidence and protect your rights.
