Christopher L. Baxter, Esquire F-AIC
Of Counsel
Chris Baxter is an experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney with a focus on DUI / DWI defense.
With over 35 years of experience in DUI / DWI courtrooms and more than 11 years of experience as a tough municipal prosecutor, Christopher Baxter brings a unique advantage to the DUI / DWI defense cases of his clients. He is a DUI / DWI lawyer who has extensive knowledge of how both the defense and the prosecution work in DUI / DWI matters. Mr. Baxter has prosecuted cases in numerous towns in New Jersey, which include Moorestown, Delran, Burlington City, Westampton, Mt. Holly, Woodland, and Riverside. He also assisted in prosecuting cases in Edgewater Park, Pemberton, and Mt. Laurel.
Mr. Baxter graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. from Boston College in 1986 and from Rutgers Law School in 1989 with Honors. While at Rutgers, Mr. Baxter was an associate editor of the Rutgers Law Journal and authored: “Right to a Free and Appropriate Education – The Education For All the Handicapped Act Does Not Contain An Implicit Dangerousness Exception”, 20 Rutgers L.J. 561 (1988).
Mr. Baxter limits his practice to defending those accused of criminal and DUI / DWI offenses, with a special focus on forensic blood alcohol and drug testing. He frequently presents on legal and scientific topics to his peers.
In statewide consolidated cases following a New Jersey forensic lab scandal, Mr. Baxter successfully challenged the New Jersey State Police Lab methodology for testing marijuana. As a result of Mr. Baxter’s efforts, the NJSP labs have eliminated the previous testing protocol and issued a revised methodology.
Mr. Baxter is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Widener Law School where he teaches a DWI legal theory and practice course. He was recently named a Fellow in the American Institute of Chemists by its board of governors.
Mr. Baxter focuses his legal practice on protecting the rights and freedom of individuals who have been arrested and charged with driving under the influence. As a lawyer who has been practicing in New Jersey for over 35 years, he has the skill and experience needed to effectively represent his clients in and out of the courtroom. To date, Attorney Baxter has handled approximately 3,900 cases as a former prosecutor and a defense lawyer.
Education
- University of Rutgers School of Law-Camden, 1989, J.D., With Honors
- Boston College-Chestnut Hill, MA, 1986, B.S., Summa Cum Laude
Professional Trainings and Certifications
- Analytical Laboratory Training: 1) Forensic Chromatography Theory and Practice XV, 2) Forensic Solid Drug Analysis VII, and 3) Drug Impaired Driving
- Axion Analytical Labs – Chicago, IL, Lab training in Forensic Gas Chromatography Analysis of Blood Evidence, and in GC/Mass Spectrometry analysis of biological fluids for the presence of drugs
- New Jersey Attorney General training: The Use of Alcotest Breath Testing Instruments in Municipal Prosecutions
- Successful completion of Draeger Alcotest 7110 and 9510 breath testing operator training courses
- Studied standard field sobriety testing procedures by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Teaching
- Adjunct Professor of Law – Widener University Law School Teaching DWI Legal Theory and Practice, 2014 to present.
- Frequent Lecturer for the Burlington County Bar Association, NJ State Bar Association, Garden State CLE, and the New Jersey Institute for Justice on DWI on forensic toxicology topics
Admissions
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
- Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals
- United States Supreme Court
Professional Associations
- Burlington County Bar Association
- New Jersey State Bar Association, Criminal Law Section
Team Support
- Michael Killebrew, Paralegal, Ext. 110