Driving while intoxicated with alcohol or drugs could lead to severe consequences, such as losing driving privileges and freedom. Even after serving a sentence, a DUI conviction can have long-lasting effects on a person’s life.
Preparing your defense promptly, whether it is your first DUI offense or you have prior convictions, is crucial. Each DUI case is unique, and employing various strategies can aid in decreasing the charges against you. Collaborating with our team will increase your chances of avoiding jail time and reducing the duration of your driving license suspension.
For a free evaluation of your case, contact our DUI and DWI defense attorneys at the Lombardo Law Group, LLC at (609) 445-4300.
How DUI and DWI Are Defined in Northfield, NJ
The charge of drunk driving is often referred to as “driving under the influence” (DUI), and some people might also know it as “driving while intoxicated” (DWI). Although these are separate charges in Northfield and New Jersey, they are essentially treated the same under N.J.S.A. § 39:4-50. Fortunately, our DUI and DWI defense lawyers can help you regardless of the charge you are facing. Being charged with DUI and DWI can have significant consequences on your life, and you could be exposed to the full force of the state’s punishment without legal counsel.
Driving under the influence (DUI) can be charged for a variety of reasons. A person can be charged with DUI if they are found to be driving while under the influence of an intoxicating substance. This can include alcohol, as well as other drugs or substances that can impair a person’s ability to drive safely. It is important to note that DUI can be charged even if the driver was under the influence of a legal prescription, such as an opioid or sleep aid like Ambien. Similarly, driving under the influence of an illegal narcotic can also result in a DUI charge.
If a person is caught driving under the influence of alcohol, they might be charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI). Our defense attorneys can protect your rights throughout your case, whether you have been charged with DUI or DWI. It is important to begin preparing a defense as soon as possible to determine if the charges are justified and to investigate any weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence against you. We can file motions to have illegally seized evidence suppressed in your case if necessary.
Consequences You Could Face for DUI and DWI in Northfield, NJ
In Northfield, the charges for DUIs and DWIs are similar, and a conviction might result in comparable penalties. For a first offense, presenting mitigating arguments could potentially help reduce charges. However, if a person has prior DUI or DWI convictions, they might face more severe consequences, which could include being sentenced to jail.
Consequences for Refusing a Breathalyzer Test
It is important to note that if you refuse to take a breathalyzer test when asked by the police, you might face penalties. In New Jersey, all drivers implicitly agree to undergo a breathalyzer test in exchange for the privilege of having a driver’s license. Therefore, if a police officer asks you to take a breathalyzer test, it is mandatory that you comply, or else you might face certain consequences.
Some individuals believe that by refusing a breathalyzer test, they can avoid the consequences associated with a DUI charge. Unfortunately, this is not true. Refusing to take a breathalyzer test can lead to penalties that are equal to those imposed in a DUI case. Because your refusal is a matter of fact, the penalties will most likely be automatically enforced. Unlike a typical DUI case, there is little to no opportunity to dispute a refusal to take a breathalyzer test. The consequences for refusing could include a potential suspension of your license for up to seven months, as well as fines ranging from $300 to $500.
Consequences for First-Time Offenses
The consequences for a first-time offense are determined by the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time they were pulled over. In New Jersey, the legal BAC limit is 0.08%. If a driver’s BAC is 0.08% or higher, they will be charged with DUI. For a first-time offense, a driver with a BAC over 0.08% but less than 0.10% will usually receive a fine of $250 to $400. However, a judge might also impose up to 30 days of jail time. Additionally, losing your license is very likely.
If a driver is convicted with a BAC over 0.10%, the fines increase to between $300 and $500. Jail time and the installation of an interlock ignition device might also be imposed. Your license can be suspended for several months. If a driver’s BAC is 0.15% or higher, they can face all of the aforementioned penalties plus a license suspension of four to six months.
Convicted defendants face even harsher license suspensions if they are found guilty of driving under the influence of drugs. A first-time DUI conviction involving drugs can result in a minimum seven-month license suspension, up to a year. The defendant might also be fined hundreds of dollars and could be sentenced to jail.
Everyone makes mistakes. If this is your first offense, there might have been extenuating circumstances that led you to commit a DUI. While it is never the right choice, it might be possible to argue for mitigating circumstances in an attempt to reduce the penalty.
Consequences for Multiple Offenses
Avoiding the consequences of multiple DUI convictions is increasingly challenging. The court is less tolerant of repeated reckless conduct and can impose up to 90 days of imprisonment for a second DUI or DWI conviction. Additionally, you might be obligated to pay fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 and have your license suspended for one to two years.
If a person is convicted of more than two DUIs, the punishment will be more severe, with fines of at least $1,000 and an eight-year license suspension, as well as a possible six-month jail sentence. On the other hand, acknowledging a serious problem after multiple DUI arrests can be beneficial. In some cases, the prosecution and court might agree to reduce the sentence to only 90 days in jail if the offender agrees to join an approved program for alcohol or drug rehabilitation.
Our Northfield, NJ DUI / DWI Defense Lawyers Can Help
Call the Lombardo Law Group, LLC at (609) 445-4300 today to receive a free case assessment with our DUI and DWI defense lawyers.
