Were you charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Somerset County, New Jersey? A DWI conviction can negatively affect your life for years. You need effective legal representation from an experienced attorney. A DWI lawyer at Keith Oliver Criminal Law can protect your rights and work hard to shield you from the worst consequences of a conviction.
Whether it’s your first DWI offense or your third, our dedicated attorneys can protect your rights and help you pursue a fair outcome. Contact our Somerset County DUI attorneys today for a free consultation.
What to Do If You’ve Been Charged with Drunk Driving in Somerset County, NJ
Being charged with drunk driving in Somerset County can be an anxiety-inducing experience. Your freedom and finances are on the line, and you must act quickly to protect them. As soon as you are charged, contact a lawyer in Somerset County who understands New Jersey’s DWI laws. An attorney at Keith Oliver Criminal Law can advise you on your rights and explore potential defenses to get the DWI charge dismissed or reduced.
Penalties for a DWI Conviction in New Jersey
The potential penalties for a DWI conviction in New Jersey depend on several factors, including the amount of alcohol in the defendant’s system, how many previous DWI convictions the defendant has, whether the defendant caused a traffic accident, and whether a minor was in the vehicle at the time.
The penalties for a first DWI offense will depend on the defendant’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC). For a first offense with a BAC ranging from 0.08 to 0.10 percent, the defendant will face the following penalties:
- Fines from $250 to $400
- Up to 30 days in jail
- A minimum of six hours a day for two consecutive days in an intoxicated driver resource center (IDRC)
- A license forfeiture until an ignition interlock device (IID) is installed for three months
- An annual car insurance surcharge of $1,000 for three years
A first offense for a defendant with a BAC of 0.10 percent or higher may result in:
- Fines from $300 to $500
- Up to 30 days in jail
- A minimum of six hours a day for two consecutive days in an IDRC
- A license forfeiture until an IID is installed for seven months to one year
- An annual insurance surcharge of $1,000 for three years
For a second offense within 10 years of the first, a defendant faces the following consequences:
- A fine ranging from $500 to $1,000
- Two to 90 days in jail
- 48 consecutive hours of detainment in an IDRC
- 30 days of community service
- Annual insurance surcharge of $1,000 for three years
- License suspension for one to two years
- Installation of an IID for two to four years after license restoration
A defendant faces the following penalties on a third or subsequent offense:
- A fine of up to $1,000
- 180 days in jail, of which 90 days can be completed in an in-patient rehabilitation facility
- Completing evaluation, referral, and program requirements of the IDRC
- 30 days of community service
- Annual insurance surcharge of $1,500 for three years
- License suspension for eight years
- Installation of an IID for two to four years after license restoration
Any offense also carries several fines, as follows:
- $100 Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund surcharge
- $100 Motor Vehicle Commission restoration fee
- $100 Intoxicated Driving Program fee
- $50 Violent Crimes Compensation Fund fee
- $75 Safe and Secure Community Program fee
New Jersey Drunk Driving Laws
Under New Jersey law, it is a crime to do any of the following:
- Operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, narcotics, hallucinogens, or a habit-producing drug
- Operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08 percent or more
- Allow another person who is under the influence to operate their motor vehicle
- Allow another person with a BAC of 0.08 percent or more to operate their motor vehicle
Under New Jersey’s Implied Consent Statute, anyone who operates a motor vehicle on roadways in New Jersey consents to submit to a breathalyzer test. An individual who refuses to submit to a breathalyzer test could face charges if they give a vague or conditional response, outright refuse, or try to delay the test.
The penalties for refusing a breathalyzer test are similar to the penalties for a DWI conviction. These penalties include fines, license suspension, and IDRC referral.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a DWI Charge in NJ?
The penalties for a DWI conviction can be severe, even for a first offense. That’s why it is essential to retain an experienced DWI lawyer who can help you fight the charges and mitigate the consequences of a conviction.
A skilled attorney can investigate the details of your case, including the arresting officer’s conduct, the testing equipment’s reliability, and other facts that could undermine the prosecution’s case. Your lawyer may present one of the following common defenses for a DWI charge:
- The officer did not have reasonable suspicion to pull you over.
- The officer did not have probable cause to conduct a breathalyzer test or arrest you.
- The officer did not read you your Miranda rights or Implied Consent warning.
- The breathalyzer test equipment was defective or malfunctioning.
- The officer did not use the breathalyzer equipment according to procedure.
- The officer did not administer a field sobriety test according to procedure.
- The officer’s dashcam captured misconduct.
- An eyewitness’s testimony conflicts with the officer’s testimony.
- The prosecutor tried to withhold exculpatory information.
- You have a medical condition that mimics intoxication.
How to Hire the Best DUI Lawyer in Somerset County, NJ
If you want to hire the best DUI lawyer in Somerset County, look for an attorney with the legal knowledge, resources, and dedication to successfully defend your rights and protect your future. The DWI lawyers at Keith Oliver Criminal Law have a long and successful track record helping clients charged with DWI in New Jersey. We focus exclusively on criminal defense cases, which allows us to provide personalized attention and advocacy to each client. Contact Keith Oliver Criminal Law today for a free case review.