There are various ways that a DWI can be “enhanced,” so that a conviction will result in harsher penalties.
Some have to do with the elements of the DWI itself – a child was in the vehicle during the alleged drunk driving, the driver has a Commercial Drivers License and was driving a commercial vehicle, or the driver was under 21 at the time of the arrest.
The most common way a sentence is enhanced in New Jersey is simply if there has been a prior DWI conviction.
In that case, courts are likely to view you as a second offender, and apply a higher tier of punishment.
It is possible to beat a DWI charge in New Jersey.
Call attorney Matthew Reisig at 732-625-9660 today for a free consultation with an experienced DWI defense attorney.
