New Jersey DUI Penalties

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in New Jersey may result in fines, imprisonment, or the loss of your driving privileges. It can be expensive and time-consuming to get these privileges back, and in most cases, it is a good idea to hire an experiencedNew Jersey DUI lawyer who can help you negotiate lower penalties or try to get the charges dismissed altogether.

How severe the penalties will be in your particular case depends on a few different factors, including whether this was your first offense, how high your blood alcohol content was at the time of your arrest, and whether you refused a chemical test. Here are the penalties you face under a few different circumstances:

First Offense With Blood Alcohol Content Between 0.08% and 0.10%

• Three months suspended driver’s license
• $250-$400 fine
• 12-48 hours at Intoxicated Driver Resource Center
• Up to 30 days imprisonment

First Offense With Blood Alcohol Content Over 0.10%

• Seven months to one year suspended driver’s license
• $300-$500 fine
• 12-48 hours IDRC
• Up to 30 days imprisonment

Second Offense

• Two years suspended driver’s license
• $500-$1,000 fine
• 30 days community service
• 12-48 hours IDRC
• 48 hours to 90 days imprisonment

Third or Subsequent Offense

• Ten years suspended driver’s license
• $1,000 fine
• Up to 90 days community service
• 12-48 hours IDRC
• 180 days imprisonment

Refusing a Chemical Test, First Offense

• Seven months to one year suspended driver’s license
• $300-$500 fine
• 12 hours minimum IDRC

Refusing a Chemical Test, Second Offense

• Two years suspended driver’s license
• $500-$1,000 fine
• 12 hours minimum IDRC

Refusing a Chemical Test, Third or Subsequent Offense

• Ten years suspended driver’s license
• $1,000 fine
• 12 hours minimum IDRC

School Zones

There are additional penalties for driving under the influence in a school zone or school crossing. They are typically twice the normal penalties (up to 20 years suspended driver’s license, a $2,000 fine, and 180 days imprisonment for a third offense).

Insurance Surcharges

In addition to these court-imposed penalties, a conviction for New Jersey DUI will result in a $1,000 per year insurance surcharge for a first or second offense, and a $1,500 per year insurance surcharge for a third offense. These surcharges last for three years, so the total increase in insurance costs for a DUI offense will be $3,000 or $4,500.

Clearly, the possible penalties you face for a New Jersey DUI conviction or a guilty plea are severe, especially if this isn’t your first offense. If you have been accused of driving under the influence, you need the help of an experienced New Jersey DUI attorney who can present the best possible defense on your behalf. I have years of helping defend New Jersey drivers and can use my experience to help your case, too. Please call (908) 248-4404 for a free consultation.

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