New Jersey DWI Lawyer Blog
Being charged with driving under the influence is a very serious matter and should not be taken lightly. If you have been arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI), you need to get in touch with an experienced New Jersey DWI advocate who can help. We are committed to providing quality legal representation to each and every client. Our goal is to vigorously defend your case so that your charges are reduced or even dropped. Time is of the essence in these cases so it is imperative to act as soon as possible after being charged or arrested.
The SafeWise Study
A study, conducted by security website SafeWise, found that the state with the highest rate of drunk driving deaths in the country is Wyoming, with 7.59 deaths per 100,000 residents, followed by South Carolina, North Dakota, New Mexico and Alabama. The state with the lowest rate of drunk driving deaths is New Jersey, with 1.39 per 100,000 residents. New York, Minnesota, Utah and Massachusetts are also among the states with the fewest drunk driving deaths in the nation. The report used statistics from the National Highway Safety Administration to come up with its findings.
New Jersey DWI Charges
Under New Jersey Statute N.J.S.A. 39:4-40, a person commits the offense of driving while intoxicated when he or she gets behind the wheel with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher. The legal limit is lower for drivers under the age of 21, as well as for commercial drivers.
If an individual is convicted of a DWI, he or she may face a variety of penalties, including loss of driving privileges, hefty fines, participation in alcohol awareness classes, insurance surcharges, jail time and even installation of an ignition interlock device on their vehicle. The severity of the penalties will depend on a number of factors including whether it was your first offense or a subsequent one. For instance, a person convicted of a DWI for a third time will face much harsher consequences than a first time offender.
Defending a DWI Charge
You are not automatically guilty of a DWI simply because you have been charged. Rather, the burden of proof is on the state to establish your intoxication beyond a reasonable doubt. This is an extremely high standard and if the charges are not proven sufficiently to this standard, there will be no DWI conviction. In other words, if there is reasonable doubt, there will be no conviction. At our firm, we understand the specific procedures and protocols that must be followed in DWI cases. As such, we will thoroughly examine the case and challenge any questionable conduct on the part of the arresting officer in an effort to have the case dismissed.
Driving While Intoxicated in New Jersey
A DWI conviction can lead to you facing serious penalties, which can have negative consequences for many aspects of your life. If you or someone close to you has been arrested for a DWI, we can help. Our New Jersey DWI attorneys are committed to helping you navigate the complicated road of facing intoxication charges. With years of experience, we know how to aggressively defend your rights throughout the entire legal process. For more information regarding your case, please call us today 877-450.8301 or contact us online.
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