Penalties For DUI Prior To Dec. 1, 2019 In Atlantic County, New Jersey
Driving under the influence of alcohol in New Jersey is a traffic violation and is not considered to be a criminal offense. That means you won’t be held in jail overnight or be required to post bail if charged with driving drunk.
But just because driving under the influence of alcohol in New Jersey isn’t considered a criminal offense, there are still heavy penalties, fines, and punishments drivers may face if convicted of a DUI. The severity of punishment depends on how many prior DUI convictions someone might have.
The first time you are convicted of DUI you’ll be facing these penalties:
- 3-to-12-month suspension of your driver’s license.
- Fines and fees from $750 to $1,000
- Up to 30 days in jail (this isn’t mandatory)
- Up to 48 hours of driver instruction at the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC)
- $1,000 per year surcharge on your car insurance for 3 years
The second time you are convicted of DUI, you may be facing:
- 2-year suspension of your driver’s license
- Fines and fees up to $1,500
- Up to 90 days in jail
- 30 days of community service
- Up to 48 hours of driver instruction at the IDRC
- $1,000 per year surcharge on your car insurance for 3 years
- Mandatory order to install an interlock device on any vehicle you own.
The third time you are convicted of DUI, you the penalties get even more harsh:
- 10-year suspension of your driver’s license
- Mandatory jail time of 180 days
- Fines, fees, and surcharges that can be over $5,000
- Mandatory order to install an interlock device on any vehicle you own
If convicted of a DUI in New Jersey, you won’t be left with a criminal record. However, the DUI will appear on your driving abstract, permanently.
Can A Lawyer Help With DUI Cases?
The law in Atlantic County, NJ prohibits plea bargains when it comes to DUI offenses. That means you can’t plead guilty to a lesser charge. However, you should still find a DUI attorney in New Jersey to help defend you in court.
Lawyers who are experienced with DUI defense will review the entire police investigation to ensure all evidence provided is accurate and obtained legally. Your lawyer can review the arresting officer’s decision to pull you over. What led to the decision and why did the officer believe that you were driving under the influence? Was the breathalyzer working properly?
After reviewing all of the evidence, your lawyer can raise technical issues that may result in certain pieces of evidence not being considered by the court. That can result in your DUI case being dismissed completely or reducing the penalties you may be facing. That’s why it’s so important to hire a DUI attorney in New Jersey.
For more information about DWI And Refusal Penalty Chart, please click here.
Contact Leckerman Law
Defense attorney Kevin Leckerman focuses solely DUI/DWI in defense in Atlantic County, NJ, Cherry Hill, and Camden County. He is an expert in all areas of DUI law and will sift through every last piece of evidence to find errors made by arresting officers, faulty breathalyzers, and violations of your rights. A DUI/DWI charge can having life-long ramifications. If you are charged with a DUI, contact Kevin Leckerman today.