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Being convicted of a DWI in New Jersey comes with more than just fines—it can have long-term financial and personal consequences. From steep penalties to higher insurance costs and lost job opportunities, the financial burden can quickly exceed $5,000. That’s why working with an experienced DWI attorney is critical to minimizing the impact on your future.

Breaking Down the Costs of a DWI in New Jersey

A DWI conviction involves multiple costs, many of which continue long after the case is closed. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to pay:

1. Fines and Court Costs

• First Offense: Fines range from $250 to $500
• Second Offense: Fines increase to $500 to $1,000
• Third Offense: A minimum fine of $1,000
• Additional court costs and legal fees can add hundreds more to the total.

2. IDRC & Alcohol Education Programs

New Jersey requires anyone convicted of a DWI to attend an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) program. The cost ranges from $264 to $321, depending on the length of the program.

3. MVC Surcharges

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) imposes mandatory surcharges on convicted drivers:

• $1,000 per year for 3 years for a first or second offense
• $1,500 per year for 3 years for a third offense

That’s a total of $3,000 to $4,500 in surcharges alone.

4. Increased Insurance Rates

A DWI on your driving record makes you a high-risk driver, leading to a drastic increase in insurance premiums. Many drivers pay thousands more per year for at least three to five years after a conviction. Some insurance companies may drop you completely, forcing you to find high-risk coverage at an even greater cost.

5. Towing & Impound Fees

After an arrest, your vehicle will likely be towed and impounded, adding another $100 to $200 in fees.

6. Ignition Interlock Device (IID)

If convicted, you may be required to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in your vehicle. Costs include:

• Installation fee: $75 to $150
• Monthly rental: $50 to $100
• Total annual cost: Up to $1,200

7. Loss of Income & Employment Issues

A DWI conviction can also impact your career. Some jobs—especially those that require driving, professional licenses, or security clearances—may fire or disqualify employees with DWI records. Court appearances and potential license suspension can also mean missed workdays and lost wages.

8. Additional Costs

• Restitution: If your DWI involved an accident, you may have to pay for property damage or medical bills.
• Community Safety & Victim Funds: New Jersey imposes extra fees to support public safety initiatives.

Why Hiring a DWI Lawyer Can Save You Money

A DWI conviction is expensive, but the right defense strategy can help you reduce or even avoid many of these costs.

For nearly 30 years, Reisig Criminal Defense & DWI Law has successfully helped over 1,400 New Jersey drivers, helping them fight charges, reduce penalties, and protect their futures. Their extensive knowledge of New Jersey’s DWI laws can help minimize your financial burden and avoid unnecessary consequences.

Call for a Free Consultation Today

Don’t let a DWI charge ruin your finances or career. Call Reisig Criminal Defense & DWI Law at (732) 625-9660 for a free consultation and get the strong legal defense you deserve.

As a repeat DWI offender, you can count on your history being used as evidence that you were likely driving drunk.

After all, most people can readily accept the idea that a person who does something once is more likely to do it again, so this is a flawed, if effective, strategy by the prosecution.

Obviously, the fact of a previous DWI has nothing to do with the facts of the case against you today.

In fact, the arresting officer may have become aware of the past conviction prior to approaching you, and that knowledge may have influenced their interaction with you.

A past DWI in New Jersey may make your case harder, but few DWI prosecutions are insurmountable.

Work with one of New Jersey’s most accomplished DWI defense attorneys and fight back against a second DWI charge. Call Matthew Reisig at 732-625-9660 today for a free consultation.

The penalties for drivers who are arrested for DWI while visiting New Jersey often carry over to their home states, so it’s important that you treat this with the same seriousness you would a charge in your own neighborhood.

Work with an experienced DWI attorney in New Jersey who can fully evaluate the case against you and take action to ensure that all appropriate defenses are on the table.

Being arrested for DWI in New Jersey does not guarantee that you will be convicted, and there are dozens of defenses that can be explored.

Every case is different, and when it comes to protecting your right to drive in New Jersey or your home state, work with an attorney who has beaten DWI charges more than 1,001 times.

Call attorney Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9660 for a free consultation.

You don’t have to provide a sample of your breath to be convicted of DWI in New Jersey.

In fact, refusal to provide a sample carries its own charge, in accordance with New Jersey’s Implied Consent law.

If you are arrested for DWI but refuse to submit to testing, the prosecution can use the witness testimony of the police officer as evidence.

The results of any field sobriety tests you performed, and evidence like dashboard cameras can also be used against you.

You will also be charged with refusal, and even if the DWI charge is ultimately dropped, you can be prosecuted for refusal on its own.

The inclusion of a refusal charge can enhance the penalties you’re facing considerably.

Consult with experienced legal help when you’ve been arrested for DWI and Refusal.

Call attorney Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9660 and speak to one of New Jersey’s most experienced DWI defense attorneys.

Yes, the statutory blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for drivers who are under 21 years of age in New Jersey is .01, so any recorded level above that is subject to prosecution.

This can be devastating for young drivers, who are especially prone to punitive action from insurance companies, and may make auto insurance unaffordable or even unavailable to them for years to come.

The penalties you’ll face if convicted include a license suspension as long as 90 days, up to 30 days of community service, participation in alcohol education through a state Intoxicated Driver Resource Center, and fines.

A DWI arrest in New Jersey is embarrassing and stressful, but you have to keep in mind that there are valid defenses against conviction.

Attorney Matthew Reisig has successfully defended more than 1,001 DWI clients all across New Jersey.

Call him today at 732-625-9660 for a free consultation that can make the difference in your case.