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Drivers who are caught operating their vehicles under the influence may be facing even harsher penalties in New Jersey if a bill under consideration becomes law.

State Senator Nicholas Scutari, a Democrat from Linden, is pushing legislation that would require even first-time DWI offenders to install an Ignition Interlock Device in their vehicles.

Ignition Interlock Devices prevent a car from starting when alcohol is detected in a sample of the driver’s breath.

Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), an organization focused on reducing drunk driving, believes that use of the devices has prevented more than 39,000 instances of drunk driving in New Jersey since 2010.

Current law only mandates them for repeat DWI offenders and in instances where a first-time conviction involved a blood alcohol level of .15% or higher.

Scutari’s bill has some sweeteners in it, including a reduction of the mandatory driver’s license suspension of three months to 30 days.

For drivers with a higher BAC, a seven month license suspension would fall to 45 days.

The downside to IIDs is that the driver is required to pay for their installation as well as a monthly leasing fee, increasing the overall costs of a DWI conviction for New Jersey drivers yet again.

The consequences of a DWI conviction in New Jersey can change your life, and rarely in a positive way.

If you’ve been charged with DWI anywhere in the state, call Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9660 and talk to an experienced DWI defense attorney for free.

A DWI is problem enough for anyone, but for drivers who are under 21 and charged with drunk driving, a conviction can result in a black mark on your record that can make auto insurance unaffordable or even unavailable to you for years to come.

For a young Yardville, NJ, driver, the expenses from his recent drunk driving charge may be higher still.

Police say that Thomas Walters, 20, was driving while intoxicated around 3:15 in the morning on Monday, September 5, when his car crashed through a wooden fence at Glassboro’s Campus Crossings Apartments and ended up in the living room of one of the apartments, causing substantial damage.

Fortunately, no one was in the unit at the time, but Walters and his 19-year-old passenger fled the scene on foot, returning a short time later, where they were arrested.

If convicted, Walters will face the normal consequences of a DWI, including license suspension and fines, but will also likely have to pay to cover the damage to the apartment building his vehicle struck.
DWIs where property damage exists can end up being wildly expensive, which is why an experienced attorney can make such a big difference in your case.

Don’t risk full exposure to the penalties of a DWI conviction.

Call Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9660 and talk to an experienced New Jersey DWI defense attorney for free.

Did you know that you can be charged with DWI even if your car is parked and your keys are in your pocket?

People have even been arrested for DWI in New Jersey after they arrived at their destination, exited the vehicle, and sat down at a diner counter to eat.

It may seem strange, but it’s extremely risky to try to “sleep it off” in your parked vehicle, a legal situation that Assemblyman John McKeon says that the legislature should revisit.

A 43-year-old DWI case highlights the potential for inconsistent application.

In State v. John Daly, a man was drinking at a bar in the winter. He left the bar drunk, went to his car, and turned the ignition on so the heater would work, then he went to sleep.

He was arrested for DWI, and went to court arguing that his intention was to sleep without getting frostbite, not to “operate” his vehicle.

The court agreed with him, and ever since, there has been a risk of inconsistent enforcement of DWI laws.

Whether new law is made around this point remains to be seen, but the takeaway for New Jersey drivers is that there are defenses to DWI, especially when you weren’t operating your vehicle at the time of your interaction with police.

A DWI conviction in New Jersey is a big deal, and can leave you unable to drive for months or longer.

Don’t risk inflated insurance rates, hefty fines, and getting familiar with a bus schedule.

Call Matthew Reisig with Reisig Criminal Defense & DWI Law today at 732-625-9660 for a free consultation with an experienced New Jersey DWI defense lawyer.

More Information About NJ DWI Penalties

• • Will You Go To Jail After Your 1st DWI
  • What Are The Penalties for a 2nd DWI in NJ
  • Can You Get Temporary Driving Privileges After A DWI In NJ?
  • What Are The Fines If You Just Please Guilty To DWI in NJ?
  • Can I Get Community Service For A DWI Instead of Fines?
  • Will I Have To Get An Interlock Device For A DWI In NJ?
  • Can I Get A Hardship License After A DWI In NJ?
  • What Is The Difference Between A DWI And DWI In A School Zone
  • Will A DWI In NJ Affect My Car Insurance Rates