Do I Need a Lawyer for a DWI Charge in New Jersey?

Whether you didn’t realize that you had more to drink than you could handle or hadn’t planned on drinking but fell into peer pressure, getting behind the wheel while intoxicated is extremely dangerous. If caught, the penalties can be severe. However, you may think evading charges is impossible, choosing to represent yourself in court instead. This is a recipe for disaster as a DUI charge carries heavy implications, and without the help of a lawyer, your life can change significantly. Keep reading to learn why you need a Bergen County DWI attorney to help you navigate this charge.

What Constitutes a DWI Charge in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, a DWI charge is issued to those at the legal limit of alcohol. Anyone caught driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher will be charged with a DWI.

However, if you are driving with a BAC of less than 0.08%, you can still get a DWI charge. Even though you are not at the legal limit, if an officer believes you are impaired by alcohol, you can still receive a DWI charge. If you are at a BAC of 0.02%, an officer can convict you of driving while under the influence, as your senses and reflexes can still be impacted by alcohol.

However, a DWI can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony if drunk driving causes an accident and injury. This is considered assault by auto and carries intense consequences.

Why Should I Bother Hiring a Lawyer?

In New Jersey, a DWI is not a criminal conviction, meaning there is no jury trial. Though this will not be on your criminal record, it will show up on your driving history.

You may think this means that you should just accept whatever penalties the judge assesses against you, this is far from the truth. A DWI offense can warrant jail time, hefty fines, a license suspension, and the installation of an ignition interlock device.

Hiring an attorney is an essential first step in reducing the penalties against you. Though you may think that there are no possible defenses for DWI charges, an experienced attorney will examine every aspect of your arrest in order to do everything possible to explore how to reduce or even discharge your violation. For example, the breathalyzer used to determine your BAC may not have been calibrated correctly, meaning the number the device produced was not correct.

When facing a DWI charge, the Law Office of Attorney Conway is ready to help. We understand the impact drunk driving can have on your life. Our dedicated legal team will do everything in our power to explore all possible defenses to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your circumstances. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you navigate these charges.