The Tara Cass Highlands NJ DWI Arrest began with a heart-stopping sight: a vehicle speeding the wrong way toward a police cruiser on a major New Jersey highway.. Just after midnight on July 5, 2024, a night of Independence Day celebrations turned into a legal nightmare on the Route 36 bridge in Highlands, NJ..
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Watch: Tara Cass Highlands NJ DWI Arrest Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:00:12 where the officer realizes the suspect is driving directly into oncoming traffic on the bridge..
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
The Fourth of July holiday ended with a dangerous confrontation on the asphalt of State Route 36.. Ptl. Alvator of the Highlands Police Department was on patrol when he entered the highway and saw two cars stopped or moving slowly in the proper lanes.. Suddenly, a grey Lexus NX4 veered into the path of his patrol car—driving southbound in the northbound lanes..
Despite the officer activating his overhead emergency lights, the driver, later identified as Tara Cass, continued driving the wrong way, passing the police vehicle.. After a U-turn and a siren-led pursuit, Cass finally slowed down near the Sea Bright/Highlands bridge..
When Ptl. Alvator approached the driver, he noted a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage” and observed Cass staggering as she walked to the sidewalk.. Cass claimed she had been hit by a vehicle that drove off, but investigation revealed a different story.. Evidence showed Cass had actually struck another vehicle—a white Acura RDX—while driving on the wrong side of the road and failed to stop..
Cass admitted to officers she was returning from watching fireworks in New York City and had consumed “one or two drinks.”. However, her performance on field sobriety tests told a more complicated tale.. Despite having a master’s degree, she struggled with basic instructions..
- The Walk and Turn: Cass was unable to stay in the starting position and failed to touch heel-to-toe on her steps..
- The One-Legged Stand: She immediately put her foot down and swayed from side to side..
- The Breath Test: While a later alcotest at 02:28 hours showed a BAC of .073%, the arrest occurred nearly two hours prior, leading officers to conclude she was impaired at the time of the crash..
The Arrest: Charges Against Tara Cass
Cass was secured in double-locked handcuffs and transported for processing.. Her vehicle was impounded as required by state law..
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (NJ) |
| DWI (39:4-50) | Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. | Fines, license suspension, mandatory IDRC. |
| Reckless Driving (39:4-96) | Driving with a willful disregard for the safety of others. | Fines, points, potential jail time. |
| One Way Traffic (39:4-85.1) | Driving the wrong way on a designated one-way street/highway. | Fines and motor vehicle points. |
| Leaving the Scene (39:4-129B) | Failure to stop after an accident involving property damage. | Fines, points, and license suspension. |
| Failure to Report (39:4-130) | Not notifying police immediately after a crash. | Fines and administrative penalties. |
Legal Analysis: Was the Tara Cass Highlands NJ DWI Arrest Justified?
From a legal perspective, the Tara Cass Highlands NJ DWI Arrest appears to follow standard New Jersey police protocol..
- Fourth Amendment Check: The stop was initiated after the officer personally observed a significant traffic violation—driving the wrong way on a state highway.. This provides “reasonable suspicion” and “probable cause” for the initial stop.
- Police Protocol: Ptl. Alvator documented the odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and physical swaying before moving to field sobriety tests..
- The BAC Factor: Although the BAC was .073% (just under the .08% per se limit), New Jersey law allows for a DWI conviction based on “observation” if the officer can prove impairment through physical tests and behavior..
[Read more Evidence Decode investigations here]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can a person be charged with DWI if their BAC is below 0.08%?
Yes. In New Jersey, an individual can still be convicted of a DWI even if their Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is below the “per se” legal limit of 0.08%. If the prosecution can prove through physical evidence, officer observations (such as the smell of alcohol or slurred speech), and poor performance on Field Sobriety Tests that the driver’s “physical or mental faculties” were impaired, a conviction can still occur.
What happens if a police department’s breathalyzer is out of order during an arrest?
If an Alcotest machine is out of service at one station, officers are permitted to transport the suspect to a neighboring department to use a certified machine. In this case, the suspect was transported from Highlands Headquarters to Atlantic Highlands Police Headquarters specifically because the initial machine yielded an error code.
What is a “Potential Liability Form” in the context of a DWI release?
Under New Jersey law (specifically John’s Law), a person arrested for DWI cannot simply be released on their own; they must be released to a “sober party”. This party must sign a Potential Liability Form, which acknowledges that they are taking responsibility for the individual and could be held liable if they allow the person to operate a motor vehicle again while still intoxicated.
Why are vehicles impounded for 12 hours following a DWI arrest?
New Jersey law requires the impoundment of a vehicle for at least 12 hours after a DWI arrest. This is a mandatory safety measure designed to prevent the intoxicated individual from immediately retrieving their car and returning to the road while still under the influence.
Does a “Master’s Degree” or high education level provide any defense in a DWI case?
While a suspect may mention their education level to prove they are normally high-functioning, it generally does not serve as a legal defense for physical impairment. During this incident, despite the suspect’s Master’s degree, the officer moved forward with the arrest based on physical failure of the Walk and Turn and One-Legged Stand tests.
Conclusion & Current Status
Following her arrest, Tara Cass was processed at Highlands and Atlantic Highlands headquarters.. She was eventually released to a sober party at her residence in Long Branch.. Her initial court appearance was scheduled for July 16, 2024, at the Highlands Municipal Court..
The other involved party, Emily Mugno, was left with a damaged Acura but was cleared to leave the scene after providing her information to officers..
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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