Law enforcement officers always crack down on DWI enforcement around the holiday season, as they assume that party-goers will be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Unfortunately, drugged or drunk driving indeed occurs far more frequently around this time of year. Continue reading to learn what the penalties are for a DWI on New Year’s Eve and how an experienced Morristown criminal defense lawyer at Graves Andrews, LLC, can help you fight against them.
What are the consequences of a first-offense DWI this New Year’s Eve?
The consequences of a first-offense DWI on New Year’s Eve will likely be similar to that of any other time of year. However, this is not to say that they are any less devastating. Such consequences may include any or all of the following:
- A jail sentence of up to 30 days.
- A fine between $250 to $400.
- A license suspension until you install an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle, at your own expense.
- An IID in your vehicle for up to three months.
- Attendance at the New Jersey Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) for between 12 to 48 hours, at your own expense.
- A court fee of $33.
- A New Jersey’s Victims of Crime Compensation Office fee of $50.
- A Safe Neighborhood Fund fee of $75.
- A Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund surcharge of $100.
- A DWI surcharge of $125.
Importantly, these are only the consequences if your blood-alcohol content (BAC) level is found to be between 0.08 percent to 0.10 percent at the time of your stop. But if a law enforcement officer detects a BAC level of higher than 0.10 percent when they pull you over, then these consequences may be heightened.
What are the penalties for a second-offense DWI?
In a similar sense, penalties escalate if you are a repeat offender of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. More specifically, such penalties for a second-offense DWI may include any or all of the following:
- A jail sentence of up to 90 days.
- A fine between $500 to $1,000.
- A license suspension for up to two years.
- Attendance at the New Jersey IDRC, at your own expense.
- A Safe Neighborhood Fund fee of $75.
- An Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Fund fee of $100.
- A Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund surcharge of $100.
- A yearly surcharge of $1,000 for three years.
What are the penalties for a third-offense DWI?
And lastly, a third-offense DWI is the most serious of all. You will inevitably have to pay the consequences of this offense, which may include any or all of the following:
- An incarceration sentence of up to 180 days.
- A fine of $1,000.
- A license suspension for up to 10 years.
- Attendance at the New Jersey IDRC, at your own expense.
- A Safe Neighborhood Fund fee of $75.
- An Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Fund fee of $100.
- A Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund surcharge of $100.
- A yearly surcharge of $1,500 for three years.
Nonetheless, if you are facing any of these charges, you must employ a skilled Morristown criminal defense lawyer. We will work to reduce or eliminate these penalties, so call us today.
