New Jersey has its fair share of driving under the influence incidents. For instance, in 2004, an estimated 37,580 crashes involved a pedestrian or a driver with a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent and above. DUI laws prohibit the operation of a boat or a motor vehicle by drivers with a BAC of 0.08 percent or more. In 2004, a person with a BAC of over 0.08 percent did a mile out of every 110 miles covered in NJ. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) develops formulas that estimate the number of alcohol-related accidents that had a link to alcohol abuse and especially those that the police did not report. As such, an estimated 64,960 accidents in NJ involved inebriated drivers and pedestrians.
DUI in NJ results in hundreds of deaths every year. In 2004, an estimated 270 people died from DUI related crashes. As such, DUI laws are quite stiff. Getting a good DUI lawyer can have charges reduced or dismissed altogether. Failure to get a competent lawyer can have you do a long time in jail. Every experienced DUI lawyer knows that a forceful and effective defense that takes advantage of the prosecution?s weaknesses will get their client off the hook. A DUI conviction in NJ if handled poorly can taint your personally, social and professional record and hinder your future ambitions.
Some of the best lawyers offer free consultation for persons charged with DUI and refusal. This helps suspects start their defense on a lighter note as DUI in NJ carries severe charges. First time offenders face license suspension of a period ranging from seven to 10 months. Apart from having your license suspended, you will incur hefty fines and surcharges running into thousands of dollars as well as running the risk of serving time in jail. Second and third time offenders face harsher penalties. For instance, NJ DUI laws stipulate that third time offenders serve a mandatory jail time.
It is important to note that the final verdict of a case touching on DUI in NJ depends on evidence presented by the prosecution, specific details of your case and the defense put up by a trained and talented DUI lawyer on your behalf. A good DUI lawyer understands that a DUI conviction can be devastating and try to defend their clients zealously.
There are profound procedures that take place in the course of a DUI arrest as set out by the New Jersey legislature. The best DUI attorneys in NJ are able to pick out errors during this procedure and use them to your advantage. The lawyer may for instance seek to find out whether the alcotest device was working properly.
Carl J. Hermann, Attorney at Law, serves the greater NJ area and has been in the legal trade for more than 30 years.
