Nobody wants to go to jail. However, as soon as you see the red and blue lights in the rear view mirror and you know you have had a couple of alcoholic drinks, this fear can easily become reality. Under New Jersey law, you can face a real possibility of jail time, even for a first offense, if you are convicted of drunk driving.
New Jersey’s Tough DWI Laws
New Jersey has enacted some of the strictest drunk driving laws in the nation. Even an individual with a perfect driving record and clear criminal history can end up in jail for a first drunk driving offense. My individuals who are facing a drunk driving charge and are not versed in New Jersey DWI laws end up making critical mistakes when handling their cases. Most of these mistakes can result in a conviction that could have been avoided.
To avoid making a mistake that could result in a DWI conviction, it is highly recommended that you immediately consult with a New Jersey drunk driving attorney prior to proceeding with your case.
New Jersey Jail Sentence for a Drunk Driving Conviction
Below is an overview of possible jail sentences if you are convicted of drunk driving in New Jersey:
– 1st offense: Up to 30 days
– 2nd offense: 2 – 90 days mandatory
– 3rd offense: 180 days mandatory
Consequences of Going To Jail
The stigma of going to jail can impact all aspects of your life – especially socially and professionally. Some common repercussions of a New Jersey drunk driving conviction can include:
- Social and professional humiliation
- Loss of wages for missed days from work or possibly the loss of your employment
- Strain on your personal relationships
- Inability to get future jobs
- Denial or revocation of security clearance for certain types of employment
Avoiding Jail Time
The best way to avoid jail time and guarantee your freedom is to aggressively fight the drunk driving charges in the first place. In order to put up a good fight and have a strong chance of avoiding a DWI conviction, it is imperative that you immediately hire the best New Jersey DWI attorney to represent you and fight for your rights.
When interviewing potential attorneys, you should look for the following characteristics:
- Track record in successfully handling drunk driving cases with similar fact patterns
- Reputation of the attorney in the community
- How many cases the attorney and his firm handles
- Whether the attorney or his staff will be primarily handling your claim
- Your level of confidence and comfort with the prospect attorney
Call a DWI Attorney in New Jersey
If you or someone you know has been issued a DWI citation or arrested for drunk driving in New Jersey, an experienced attorney can help. For more information or to schedule a free consultation with New Jersey DWI attorney Dan T. Matrafajlo, please call the Law Offices of Dan T. Matrafajlo at (908) 248-4404.
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