DWI Lawyer New Jersey Kugel Law Firm

Press Release (ePRNews.com) - New Jersey and New York - Aug 11, 2021 - Penalties and consequences for a DWI conviction can often include jail time, fees and fines, an ignition interlock device, insurance complications, and DWI school, not to mention the social stigma. These penalties and consequences are different according to each state’s laws. They also vary greatly depending on the circumstances of the incident. First-time DWIs without injuries to people or property will have lighter penalties as opposed to subsequent DWIs or DWIs that result in injury.

When you get a DWI, you will more than likely spend some time in jail at the time of your arrest. If you are later convicted of the charge, additional time in jail may be added. Most states have minimum jail time requirements for first, second, and third convictions. But the judge will weigh the circumstances – if your DWI caused injury, if you had a very high BAC, or if there were other factors that made the situation worse, the judge can require more jail time than the minimum. To help navigate through this process, a DWI Lawyer New Jersey Kugel Law Firm is a good choice.

• Concerning first time offenders. In states with minimum jail time for first time DWIs, the mandatory sentences range from 24 hours up to a few days. Often the time served at the time of arrest will count as time served. With a first-time DWI without any other circumstances, very little additional jail time may be required.
• Concerning second and subsequent offences. Most states have jail requirements for second and subsequent DWIs. These minimums range from a few days to several months for second DWIs and several weeks to a year for subsequent convictions.

Once convicted of a DWI, the court may also require that an ignition interlock device is used when you drive. At that time, you will have to purchase or rent the device and install in your car. A driver must blow into its breathalyzer before trying to start the car. If any alcohol is detected in your system, the vehicle won’t start. Neither the device nor the installation is cheap – installation can cost as much as $300 dollars; a rental can be $100 a month or more. There will also be maintenance and calibration fees. The court that sentences you may provide you with information about how to obtain a device.

In addition to jail time and the requirement to use an ignition interlock device, there are many other consequences that result from a DWI conviction.

• Even if you don’t get much jail time, you’re likely to get probation. Probation for DWI may not require regular check-ins with a probation officer; it will mean that you subject to rules that restrict your behavior. For example, probation may require that you go to jail if you’re caught driving with any alcohol in your system. Probation usually lasts several years.
• Heavy fines for DWIs are imposed by most states. Fees for a first offense may be several hundred dollars, and fines for second or subsequent offense may be several thousand dollars.
• A DWI almost always result in the suspension of your driver’s license. The court will contact the DMV and the DMV will suspend your driving privileges. You can appeal to get a restricted license that will allow you to go to school or work, but you will likely be required to use an ignition interlock device to do so.
• After a DWI conviction, your car insurance costs are likely to increase substantially. Insurance companies will see you as a liability. They will also know that you will be desperate to be insured.
• Most states will also require that you go to DWI school. The class might be one full day, or it might be a few hours a week for several months, depending on the circumstances of your DWI’s. The longer the course, the more it costs.

To sum it up, besides being a major disruption in you life, getting a DWI is very expensive. Once convicted, you can expect to pay many thousands of dollars in court fines, increased costs of insurance, DWI school fees, and costs associated with getting an ignition interlock device. You will have legal fees if you decide to hire a lawyer, a good idea in most DWI cases.

Consult DWI Lawyer New Jersey Kugel Law Firm if you are pulled over for a DWI.