Getting stopped for DUI is one of the most terrifying and stressful situations you may have ever encountered. While you may have been stopped for some other type of traffic violation, the police officer may suspect that you are DUI and request that you take field sobriety tests. If the officer thinks you did poorly on these tests he may request that you take a breath or other type of test that measures your blood alcohol concentration. DUI is a serious offense and it is advisable to speak with a DUI lawyer in NJ as soon as possible.
DUI Penalties in NJ
If you have been charged with DUI you could face severe penalties if convicted. The penalties for a first DUI offense include a variety of things such as jail time of up to 30 days, driver's license suspension for 3 months, fines and fees, alcohol or substance abuse assessment, mandatory alcohol classes and a surcharge added to your vehicle insurance policy.
The penalties may range in severity depending on several factors including the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream and whether there was an accident with damages and injuries. The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in New Jersey is 0.08%. When your BAC is found to be 0.10% or higher you will face higher fines and a longer period of license suspension.
Repeat offenders have much more severe penalties and could spend up to 90 days in jail and have your license suspended for a minimum of 2 years. You will also need to participate in 30 days of community service and up to 48 hours in alcohol education classes. An experienced DUI lawyer in NJ will help you through the process and defend the charges.
In addition to the court-imposed penalties, a DUI charge will impact your driver's license and could cause you difficulties both in your personal life and on the job. If your license is suspended you will have a hard time getting to and from work and you could lose your job.
What to Do After Getting a DUI
DUI charges can be humiliating but you need to know that you aren't the only one how has experienced these charges. The best course of action is generally to try to fight the charges with help from a skilled DUI lawyer in NJ.
Your attorney will review all the aspects of your case. If some of the evidence against you was obtained improperly or the results were not accurate, there could be options to reduce some of the charges. For example, if the police officer did not properly use a breathalyzer to test your BAC it could be problematic. However, if the BAC was also tested using another method, such as a blood or urine test, you will still face the same charges.
Your attorney will stand by you and protect your rights throughout the case. You will certainly get the best results with assistance from a knowledgeable DUI lawyer in NJ. Contact our legal team today to discuss the matter in a confidential consultation.