Some laws are enforced to prevent motorists from driving a vehicle while intoxicated. In New Jersey, a DUI is taken very seriously. Only a person who is at least 21 years old can purchase, possess, and drink alcoholic beverages in the state. Those caught operating a vehicle with at least 0.08% blood alcohol concentration or BAC while driving a motor vehicle can be charged with a DUI. This is also the case if a driver is caught behind the wheel while under the influence of habit-producing drugs.
A DUI charge can be considered a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances surrounding the case. For example, if a motorist was operating a vehicle with a suspended license and caught for a DUI with a child as their passenger, they could face serious sentences such as possible jail time. So, if you are facing DUI charges, you should hire a Cherry Hill DUI attorney to defend you in court.
Penalties for DUI in Cherry Hill, NJ
Jury trials are not allowed for DUI cases in New Jersey. But these cases aren’t taken lightly. Those found guilty of a DUI charge suffer serious penalties.
- Penalties for first-time offenders. First-time DUI offenders whose BAC ranges from 0.08% to 0.10% can be fined between $250 and $400, together with a 3-month driver’s license suspension. Also, they may have to spend up to thirty days in jail and must be in an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) for at least 6 hours every day for two days.
- Penalties for second-time offenders. Penalties related to a DUI conviction are harsher for second-offenders. A second DUI conviction can require the offender to pay up to a $1, 000 fine. This also includes a 2-year license suspension, jail time of 48 consecutive hours, a thirty-day community service, up to ninety days of imprisonment, 48 hours in IDRC, and the installation of an interlock device.
- Penalties for three-time offenders. Penalties for repeat DUI offenders include a fine of $1, 000, jai time of up to 180 days, third-day community service, ten-year driver’s license suspension, in-patient alcohol treatment, fee to IDRC, a $1, 500 car insurance surcharge per year for three years.
Read also: What Happens When An Insurance Claim Is Made Against You
Working with a DUI Lawyer
If you are facing a DUI charge, you should have an experienced defense lawyer on your side, particularly if your case involves injury or fatality because of impaired driving. If somebody sustained an injury because of your actions, your charges can become an indictable offense that can lead to prolonged jail time. If somebody has died during the commission of the offense, the charges they are facing can become a case of vehicular homicide or manslaughter, which can leave you spending up to ten years in prison and paying up to $150, 000 in fines. A defense attorney will work to get your charges reduced or dismissed.
