Drunk Driving (DWI/DUI) Attorney

When an individual is pulled over on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, the law enforcement officer that has initiated the stop will have to determine the driver’s blood alcohol content. If you have been found driving with a blood alcohol content between 0.08 percent and 0.10 percent and this is your first offense, you can face a range of serious penalties. For a first offense DUI in New Jersey with a BAC between .08 percent and .10 percent, you will face the following consequences:

• The installation and use of the ignition interlock device for three months
• Up to 30 days in jail
• A license suspension until you install the ignition interlock device
• A fine between $250 and $400
• Between 12 and 48 hours in the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center
• A $125 DWI surcharge
• A $100 DDEF surcharge
• Up to $33 in court costs
• $75 for SNSF
• $50 for VCCO

If you were arrested with a BAC between 0.10 percent and 0.15 percent, may face the following consequences if this is your first-offense DUI:

• The mandatory installation and use of the ignition interlock device for between 7 months and 1 year
• A license suspension until you install the ignition interlock device in your vehicle
• Up to 30 days of incarceration
• Between 12 and 48 hours in the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center
• A fine between $300 and $500
• A $125 DWI Surcharge
• $75 to the SNSF
• $50 to the VCCO
• A $100 DDEF Surcharge
• Up to $33 in court costs

Finally, if you were arrested with a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.15% or higher, you may lose your license between 4 and 6 months, you may have to use the ignition interlock device for between 9 and 15 months, and you will face a wide array of fines and fees.

While any driving under the influence offense is significant, the penalties increase tremendously if you already have previous offenses on your record. If you are being charged with a second offense DUI in New Jersey within 10 years of your previous conviction, the penalties include the following:

• Up to 90 days of incarceration
• Driver’s license suspension for 2 years
• A fine between $500 and $1,000
• 12-48 hours in New Jersey’s Intoxicated Driver Resource Center
• $100 to the Drunk Driving Fund
• $75 to the Neighborhood Services Fund
• Ignition Interlock Device

Some of the most serious DUI consequences that you can face occur if this is your third or subsequent DUI charge within a period of 10 years. The state of New Jersey takes this very seriously and the odds are stacked against you. The penalties of a third or subsequent DUI in New Jersey include:

• A maximum of 180 days of incarceration
• Driver’s license suspension for 10 years
• A $1,500 surcharge each year for 3 years
• 12-48 hours in the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center
• $100 to the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Fund
• $100 to the Drunk Driving Fund
• $75 Neighborhood Services Fund
• $1000 fine
• Mandatory Ignition interlock device

If you are charged with a DUI but your blood alcohol content is 0.10 percent or higher, you can be charged with a High BAC DUI. The penalties are greater for this offense because the level of impairment is much higher. These consequences include the following:

• Incarceration for up to 30 days
• Driver’s license suspension for 7-12 months
• A $300-$500 fine
• $100 to the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Fund
• $100 to the Drunk Driving Fund
• $75 to the Neighborhood Services Fund
• 12-48 hours in the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center
• Ignition Interlock Device during license suspension and 6-12 months after license restoration

If you have been charged with driving under the influence but you are under the legal drinking age of 21, the penalties are significant. New Jersey will issue a DUI charge if your blood alcohol content is 0.01 percent or higher. This can result in a drivers’ license suspension between 30 and 90 days, as well as 15-30 days of community service, fees, and programs at the IDRC.