Highlands NJ DWI Bodycam footage captures the moment a casual night of karaoke turned into a serious legal battle for one New Jersey driver. In the early hours of May 17, 2024, Highlands police stopped a white Honda Civic that was drifting through town with an expired registration. What started as a traffic stop quickly escalated when the driver admitted she had “just stopped by the pickle to do some karaoke” before blowing a staggering 0.201% BAC later at the station.
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Watch: Highlands NJ DWI Bodycam Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:14:50 where the suspect admits, “I’m fucking, like, drunk.”
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
The incident began at approximately 1:20 AM on Highland Avenue. Patrolman Kevin Connor was on routine patrol when he spotted a white Honda Civic traveling ahead of him. A random license plate inquiry revealed the vehicle’s registration had been expired since December 2023.
Officer Connor activated his emergency lights. As he approached the driver’s side, he was immediately hit with a “very strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” coming from the car.
The “Two Beers” Defense
The driver, identified as Anna Bogdanowicz, moved slowly and spoke with slurred speech. When asked where she was coming from, she gave an unusual answer. She told the officer, “I just stopped by the pickle to do some karaoke”.
When pressed on how much she had to drink, she stuck to the common script: “two beers”. However, her actions told a different story. She repeatedly handed the officer the same expired insurance card, struggling to find valid documents.
Failed Field Sobriety Tests
Officers asked Bogdanowicz to exit the vehicle for Standard Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). While she successfully recited the alphabet without singing, her physical coordination failed her.
During the “Walk and Turn” test, she started before instructed, failed to touch heel-to-toe, and stepped off the line multiple times. She nearly fell over, forcing the officer to remind her she could continue.
The “One Leg Stand” test went just as poorly. She used her arms for balance and repeatedly put her foot down. Officer Antonio Flores, an expert in drug recognition, also noted “distinct and sustained nystagmus” in her eyes, a key medical indicator of impairment.
The Admission
As officers moved to arrest her, the reality set in. While being escorted to the patrol vehicle, Bogdanowicz dropped the “two beers” act. She told officers, “I’m always fucking Uber… And tonight I decided like, well, maybe I’ll just go for a little bit.”. Finally, she admitted, “I just I’m fucking, like, drunk.”.
The Arrest: Charges Against Anna Bogdanowicz
The Highlands NJ DWI Bodycam incident resulted in significant charges. At the station, breath tests confirmed a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.201%, which is more than double the legal limit of 0.08%.
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (US) |
| DWI (39:4-50) | Driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. | License suspension, fines, ignition interlock device, potential jail time. |
| Reckless Driving (39:4-96) | Driving with “willful or wanton disregard” for safety. | Fines up to $500, points on license, possible jail up to 60 days. |
| Unregistered Vehicle (39:3-4) | Operating a car without valid registration. | Fines and potential impoundment of the vehicle. |
| Fail to Possess Insurance Card (39:3-29) | Not having a valid insurance card available. | Fines and court costs. |
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Legal Analysis: Was the Highlands NJ DWI Bodycam Justified?
Fourth Amendment Check: The Stop
In this Highlands NJ DWI Bodycam case, the initial stop was constitutionally sound. Police do not need a warrant to run a random license plate check on public roads. Once the system flagged the registration as expired (expired 12/2023), Officer Connor had “Reasonable Suspicion” to initiate the traffic stop. This is the legal standard required by the Fourth Amendment.
Probable Cause for Arrest
To move from a traffic stop to a DWI arrest, officers need “Probable Cause.” This was established through three key factors:
- Sensory Evidence: The officer smelled a “very strong odor” of alcohol and observed slurred speech.
- Admissions: The suspect admitted to drinking and eventually stated she was “drunk”.
- SFST Performance: The failure of the Walk and Turn and One Leg Stand tests provided objective evidence of physical impairment.
Police Protocol
The officers followed standard protocol by requesting a breath sample. Under New Jersey’s “Implied Consent” laws, driving on public roads implies consent to chemical testing. Bogdanowicz was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators and agreed to the test, resulting in the 0.201% reading.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) related to the charges in this case
What is the difference between DUI and DWI?
In many states, these terms are used interchangeably. DWI stands for “Driving While Intoxicated,” while DUI stands for “Driving Under the Influence.” Both mean operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. In New Jersey (where this incident occurred), the specific legal term used is DWI.
Can police pull you over just for an expired registration?
Yes. Police officers often use “Automated License Plate Readers” (ALPR) or random checks to scan license plates. If a system shows a registration is expired, that gives the officer “Reasonable Suspicion” to legally stop the vehicle, even if the driver wasn’t speeding or swerving.
What constitutes “Reckless Driving”?
Reckless driving is more serious than a standard traffic ticket. It means the driver legally displayed a “willful or wanton disregard” for the safety of others. Driving while heavily intoxicated is often automatically considered reckless because the driver knowingly put lives at risk.
What is “John’s Law”?
“John’s Law” is a specific statute in New Jersey (and similar laws exist elsewhere) that allows police to impound a vehicle for 12 hours after a DWI arrest. The purpose is to prevent the arrested person from posting bail and immediately getting back behind the wheel while they are still intoxicated.
Are you required to take Field Sobriety Tests (like walking the line)?
In many jurisdictions, Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) are voluntary, though refusing them can still lead to arrest based on other evidence (like smell or slurred speech). However, chemical breath tests at the station are usually mandatory under “Implied Consent” laws. Refusing a breath test often carries the same (or worse) penalties as a DUI conviction.
Conclusion & Current Status
After processing at the Highlands Police Department, Anna Bogdanowicz was released to a sober party. Her vehicle was impounded under “John’s Law,” which mandates a 12-hour hold on vehicles involved in DWI arrests to prevent intoxicated drivers from returning to the road immediately.
She faces a pending court appearance with the Highlands Municipal Court to answer for the charges.
Download Police Report click here.
Disclaimer: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This report is based on official police records.
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