FREE NJ DWI EVALUATION

POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF A NEW JERSEY
DWI / DUI CONVICTION
THAT YOU MAY NOT BE THINKING ABOUT

  • license suspension, which can result in loss of job, loss of economic advantage and curtailment of business activities, change of residence, change of relationships and families. When you can't drive, you very often can't work!
  • fines - first offense in court fines total approximately $650-800; second offense, in court fines approach $1,000.00; and third offense, in court fines, are over $1,300.00.
  • surcharges: in addition to the in-court fines, you must pay a $3,000.00 surcharge for first and second offenses, and a $4,500.00 surcharge for third or greater offenses.
  • community service on second offenses of 180 hours
  • mandatory counseling or alcohol treatment through the Intoxicated Driver’s Resource Center (IDRC). The IDRC can also compel you to do more counseling than that which the court sentenced you to, including an additional 16 week program of classes.
  • possible jail, even for first offenders; for second offenders, 2 to 90 days in jail; and mandatory jail for third offenders of 180 days (90 of which can be served in an in-patient facility)
  • insurance rates may increase or be unavailable for health, life and/or disability coverage
  • inability to rent cars
  • credit issues, since many credit bureaus include drunk driving convictions on credit reports. This may affect future credit, but it may also prevent convicted drivers from getting jobs where the prospective employer runs a credit check in processing job applications.
  • Those in military service who are charged with or convicted of drunk driving offenses can be summarily discharged or required to take extensive alcohol education courses, restricted to military bases, deprived of normal base privileges, or saddled with other forms of punishment. Military personnel are subjected to military rules, even if the arrest occurs off base and there has been no conviction--like loss of rank or grade, counseling, loss of license for on base driving for one year, base restriction, and some times, discharge or rejection of right to re-enlist.
  • Pilots may lose their flying licenses. See http://www.faa.gov/AVR/AFS/AFS800/DOCS/pt61FAQ.doc
  • Government Security Clearance review and revocation may be triggered to determine whether the DUI is an indication of the individual being a risk to National Security by the intemperate use or abuse of alcohol.
  • Even if the company supervisor loves the accused employee, the insurance carrier will want to exclude (or jack up the premiums beyond tolerance) if the employee is allowed to drive employer-insured vehicles.
  • School teachers may not have their contracts renewed, or may have tenure issues

There are many other possible complications from a New Jersey DWI conviction.
As a result, make sure you hire the most qualified attorney you can.

Please call me to discuss your case.

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