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
New Jersey’s DWI penalties depend on how many prior DWI convictions you have and, for a first offense, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). If you are convicted in a Somerset County municipal court, the judge must impose penalties within these ranges:
- First offense, BAC .08% to under .10%: $250 to $400 fine, 12 to 48 hours at the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC), up to 30 days in jail and an ignition interlock device for three months
- First offense, BAC .10% to under .15%: $300 to $500 fine, IDRC, up to 30 days in jail and an interlock for seven months to one year
- First offense, BAC .15% or higher: the same fine and IDRC, plus a four-to-six-month license forfeiture and an interlock for nine to fifteen months after your license is restored
- Second offense: $500 to $1,000 fine, 48 hours to 90 days in jail, 30 days of community service, a one-to-two-year license forfeiture and an interlock for two to four years afterward
- Third offense: $1,000 fine, 180 days in jail, an eight-year license forfeiture and an interlock for two to four years afterward
Every DWI conviction also brings an MVC insurance surcharge of $1,000 per year for three years.
You can find the current fines, surcharges, interlock periods and jail ranges for every offense level, with charts, in our complete guide to New Jersey DWI penalties.
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.