Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is a dangerous crime that can have long-lasting effects on your life, especially if you lose your license to drive. Like in many other states, New Jersey’s DWI punishments are meant to keep people from driving while impaired and keep everyone safe. But a DWI arrest can have effects that last longer than just fines and jail time. If you are being charged with DWI, you need to know how a sentence can affect your ability to drive.
License Suspension and Revocation
One of the most common and serious effects of being found guilty of DWI in New Jersey is having your driver’s license suspended or taken away. How long the suspension lasts depends on your case, such as whether this is your first crime and how much alcohol was in your blood at the time of your arrest.
If you get a DWI for the first time and your BAC is between 0.08% and 0.10%, New Jersey law says your license will be taken away for 3 months to a year. A person with a BAC of 0.10% or more could be suspended for up to one year. People who break the law more than once can lose their license permanently or have their license suspended for a longer time.
You may also have to get an ignition interlock device (IID) installed on your car. This device stops you from starting the car if your blood alcohol level is higher than a certain level. This rule is usually put in place after a second or higher DWI arrest.
Impact on Employment
If you get a DWI, it can have a big effect on your job, especially if you drive for a living. For many jobs, you need a valid driver’s license. If your license is suspended or revoked, you could lose your job or miss out on career possibilities. For example, business drivers, delivery drivers, and anyone else who drives a company car for work will probably have a hard time keeping their job after being convicted of DWI.
If you have to travel for work or move over long distances, even if your job doesn’t require you to drive, losing your license can be a big problem. Not having the ability to drive could make it hard to get to work on time, which could lead to punishment or losing the job.
Insurance Rates and Costs
Another often-overlooked consequence of a DWI conviction is the significant increase in car insurance premiums. After a DWI conviction, your insurance company will likely classify you as a high-risk driver. As a result, your premiums will increase substantially. In some cases, you may even face the inability to obtain insurance through standard carriers, forcing you to rely on high-risk insurance options that can be much more expensive.
Additionally, if your license is suspended, you may be required to maintain an SR-22 form—proof of financial responsibility—for several years. This form is typically required after serious driving violations, and the costs associated with maintaining it can be burdensome.
Long-Term Consequences
A DWI conviction has more effects than just taking away your driver’s license right away. Being convicted of a crime stays on your driving record for a long time, which can have many negative effects. For instance, companies will often look at your driving record, and if you’ve been convicted of DWI, it may be harder to get a job, especially in fields where driving is an important part of the job.
Also, your driving record will be used by insurance companies to figure out your rates, and a DWI charge can lead to much higher rates over time.
The Role of a New Jersey DWI Attorney
If you are being charged with DWI in New Jersey, you need to hire a skilled lawyer right away to protect your rights and keep your driving privileges as long as possible. A good lawyer can help you understand New Jersey’s complicated DWI rules, question the evidence against you, and try to lower the penalties you face. An attorney may be able to work out a plea deal, get the charges dropped, or even get the case thrown out completely.
Having an experienced New Jersey DWI attorney by your side can make all the difference between keeping your license and having it suspended or taken away for a long time. This is especially true if you want to keep your driving rights.
Conclusion
In New Jersey, getting a DWI can have a big impact on your ability to drive, your job, and your ability to pay your bills. Anyone who is facing DWI charges needs to know what could happen if they are found guilty. If this sounds like you, the first thing you should do to protect your rights and lessen the effects of an arrest is to talk to a New Jersey DWI lawyer. Talk to a skilled lawyer who can help you through the legal process and fight for the best possible result. Don’t deal with the consequences on your own.
