Edison DWI Lawyer

Edison DWI Attorney

Everyone makes mistakes, but being convicted of driving while impaired can have negative, life-altering consequences. If you have been charged with a DWI in New Jersey, you may benefit from hiring an Edison DWI lawyer to defend you.

An Overview of Edison DWI Laws

Before you hire just any Edison DWI lawyer, learning about the laws surrounding a DWI charge in New Jersey, the potential penalties you could face if convicted, and how hiring the right lawyer could be exactly what your case needs to succeed can be helpful. Hiring an experienced attorney who understands the local court system and New Jersey DWI laws can significantly improve the outcome of your case.

It is estimated that every 45 minutes, there is at least one drunk driving-related fatality in the United States. New Jersey may be one of the six states with the lowest number of DWI occurrences, but it is important to note that state law still takes DWI charges seriously.

Driving while intoxicated, or “DWI”, is something that any driver in New Jersey may be charged with if there is evidence to suggest that the individual has been operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or mishandled prescription medication. The legal drinking blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for those 21 and older is 0.08%. If you exceed this limit, you can be charged with a DWI.

For those under the legal drinking age, however, the legal BAC is 0.01%+. In this case, any detectable amount of alcohol is a direct violation of the law and can result in being charged with a DWI.

Penalties for a First-Time DWI Offense

If your BAC falls between 0.08%-0.10%, you were not in an accident, and there were no additional mitigating factors involved in your DWI case, here are some examples of the penalties you could be facing should you be found guilty:

• Paying a fine of $250 to $500.
• Spending up to 30 days in jail.
• Spending a minimum of six hours a day for two consecutive days at a New Jersey Intoxicated Driver Resource Center.
• Having a DWI conviction on your permanent record.
• Being required to pay $1,000 a year for 3 years as an insurance surcharge.
• Being required to use an ignition interlock device for at least 3 months.
• Losing income or your job due to a DWI conviction and subsequent penalties.

Potential Penalties You Could End Up Facing for a Repeat DWI Conviction

Since the New Jersey legal system takes DWI incidents seriously, those convicted of the crime can end up facing severe consequences. These penalties are subject to vary based on a host of unique circumstances, including whether or not it is the individual’s first DWI conviction.

If you have a previous DWI conviction on your record, you could be facing even more severe consequences. For a straightforward second DWI offense, you could end up losing your license, serving a greater amount of jail time, paying much higher fines, and being forced to participate in additional rehabilitation programming. The amount of time and money wasted tends to increase with the number of past convictions.

There are other significant factors that can affect the potential charges and subsequent penalties in a DWI case. These include:

• The presence of a minor. If there was a child in any of the involved cars at the time of the DWI-related accident, you could end up facing more severe charges.
• A BAC of 0.15% or higher. A BAC of this amount is considered to be incredibly dangerous, which can then influence your DWI charges.
• Any injuries. If there were injuries or fatalities found to be caused by a DWI accident, you could be facing more severe charges, as well as added charges, like vehicular manslaughter.

Hire a DWI Lawyer

There are many different benefits that can be made accessible to those who hire a DWI lawyer in Edison, New Jersey. One of the most prominent benefits is that your lawyer can advocate on your behalf to protect your rights at the Edison Municipal Court.

Choose Michael Rosas Law PC

With over fifteen years of experience, Michael Rosas understands the ins and outs of DWI law in New Jersey. He also understands the importance of meeting every client’s needs, tailoring his approach to the unique aspects of your case. You deserve the chance to live unencumbered by the penalties of a DWI conviction, and the experienced team at Michael Rosas Law PC can help you work toward that future.

FAQs

Is It Better to Refuse a Breathalyzer Test in New Jersey?

While you are legally allowed to refuse to take a breathalyzer test in New Jersey, it is seldom a good idea to do so. Thanks to implicit consent, you could end up facing more severe charges and repercussions for doing so. One common example is that, should you refuse the breathalyzer, you may end up having your license suspended immediately.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a DWI Lawyer in New Jersey?

The cost of hiring a DWI lawyer tends to vary in the state of New Jersey. The overall price is typically affected in unique ways by several variables, such as the level of complexity the case presents, who you hire to represent you, the time it takes to finalize your case, and the severity of your charges.

Is a DWI or a DUI Worse in New Jersey?

Despite being two different abbreviations, there is no distinguishable difference between a DWI and a DUI in the state of New Jersey. DWI typically stands for “Driving While Intoxicated” or “Driving While Impaired”, while DUI is the shortened version of “Driving Under the Influence”. Both apply to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, high, or impaired by mishandled medication.

Can I Represent Myself in My DWI Case in New Jersey?

Yes, it is perfectly legal for you to represent yourself in your DWI case while in New Jersey, but many individuals have found that hiring an Edison DWI attorney can have a major impact on the outcome of the case. Your lawyer can also offer you added clarity of the law while helping you work to avoid unnecessary mistakes.

Get More Information Today

You deserve the chance to live a life that is not dictated by one mistake. To schedule a consultation, contact Michael Rosas Law PC today and get the representation you need to protect your rights and your future.