New Jersey DUI Defense Attorneys

DUI/DWI Tips for New Jersey Drivers

A DUI/DWI conviction has lasting effects on a person's life which makes it essential for wrongful drunk driving convictions to not occur. New Jersey motorists should be informed about their legal rights and options should they ever be stopped and/or arrested for driving while intoxicated.

1. You've Been Stopped for DUI - Stay Calm

If you're pulled over on suspicion of DUI, stay calm and pull to the side of the road safely. Follow all directions of the police officer. He or she may ask you to perform one or more Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST) including standing on one leg or reciting the alphabet. You may even be asked to submit to a chemical test. Refusal to submit to this chemical test may be grounds for revocation of your driver's license or other consequences.

2. Avoiding a DUI in New Jersey

Obviously, the best way to avoid a DUI in New Jersey is to simply not drink and drive or designate a sober driver to take you home. There are a number of variables that go into determining how alcohol will affect a person such as height, weight, gender and whether or not food or other liquids have been consumed. All of these factor into the person's B.A.C., or "blood alcohol content" level.

3. How a DWI Can Affect Your JOB

If more people knew that a DWI could affect their job in a negative manner, they might reconsider drinking and driving altogether. Some professions including registered nurses, pilots, attorneys, mariners and commercial truck drivers are required to report DWIs to their licensing boards where further consequences may be suffered.

4. How to Choose the Right DWI Attorney for You

Choosing an experienced New Jersey DWI lawyer is very important. Do your research. Ask family and friends for personal recommendations. Check online or in the yellow pages. Meet with several attorneys and ask if they specialize in DUI law. Once you've narrowed down your options, call the state bar association and ask if there are any outstanding complaints against the attorneys you've chosen. Remember, you want the best defense you can find.

5. Civil Penalties for a DUI in New Jersey

Civil penalties for a DUI offense in New Jersey include fines, possible jail time, community service hours and revocation of the offender's driver's license either provisionally or permanently. If a person is convicted for DWI causing injury or death, he or she may be held liable for restitution covering loss of wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.

6. Criminal Penalties for a New Jersey DUI

Criminal penalties for a DUI in New Jersey depend on a number of factors. Like civil penalties, possible jail time, fines, community service and other consequences can be the result of a DUI charge. If it is the driver's first offense, the mandatory license suspension is 90 days. For any subsequent offenses, or for DUI arrests relating to injury or death, the suspension time is longer and other penalties are more severe.

7. Challenging Field Sobriety Tests & Chemical Tests in New Jersey

The results of field sobriety tests and chemical tests may seem like the end all, be all to your DUI case. However, this isn't necessarily true. Field sobriety tests are highly subjective and may be challenged in a court of law. Chemical tests are less subjective, but their accuracy can also be questioned if it's found that the equipment wasn't working properly or there was some other flaw in the way in which the test was administered.

8. Out of State Drivers and New Jersey DUI

Out of state drivers may think that because they don't reside in New Jersey, they won't be apprehended and charged with a driving while intoxicated. If an out of state driver is found to be driving under the influence, they will be subject to penalties both from the state of New Jersey and their home state.

9. Guilty or Not Guilty - How to Plead

Someone who has been charged with a DUI in New Jersey may think that because they did poorly on their standardized field sobriety test(s), they must plead guilty to the DUI. This is not necessarily true. Admittance of guilt forfeits your right to any defense in court and can have a negative impact on your professional and personal life. Do not admit guilt until all options have been explored with a knowledgeable DUI attorney.

10. New Jersey DUI Defenses

There are a number of questions that need to be answered before an accused driver pleads guilty or not guilty to a DUI offense. Did the officer who pulled the driver over have probable cause to do so? Were all field sobriety tests administered properly and was all chemical test equipment in proper working order?

As skilled New Jersey drunk driving defense attorneys, we hope that these DUI tips have helped answer some questions that you may have after being arrested for drunk driving or if you know someone who is facing DWI charges. Please contact our aggressive DWI defense lawyers in New Jersey at Lependorf & Silverstein today for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can assist you with your DUI case.

For more information regarding New Jersey DWI law, visit our New Jersey DWI and Drunk Driving Defense website.

At Lependorf & Silverstein, our skilled New Jersey drunk driving defense attorneys are prepared to defend clients in all New Jersey DWI, drunk driving and traffic violation matters, including:

If you or a loved one is facing DWI charges, call the experienced and aggressive Newark DWI Lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein today for a free consultation.