What Are the Penalties For Driving Under the Influence?
There are laws in place to prevent drivers from operating a vehicle while they are under the influence. The laws are not always the same and will usually vary from one state to the next. While some states could consider it a misdemeanor, other states consider this act a felony. If someone is charged with a felony, they will suffer greater consequences. Continue reading to find out what the penalties are for driving under the influence in New Jersey.
Blood Alcohol Content
In the United States, people operating vehicles should not get behind the wheel if they have a blood alcohol content of .08 percent. If an officer pulls someone over and they take a breath test, the results would give the officer enough reason to arrest the individual if those results were higher than .08 percent. The blood alcohol content will also vary based on the type of vehicle that a person is operating. For example, if someone is operating a commercial truck, they should not have a blood alcohol content of more than .04. The vehicles they are operating are much larger and often much more challenging to operate.
Penalties in Different States
Depending on the state in which a person lives and is pulled over for DUI, the penalties may be more severe. If you’ve been arrested for a DUI, it’s always in your best interest to contact an attorney who can explain the penalties and what to expect moving forward.
When an Arrest Might Occur
If an officer has probable cause to pull someone over, he or she can then stop the motorist and ask that motorist to take a breath test or one of the other field sobriety tests. These tests make it possible for the officer to determine if the driver is under the influence and if it is necessary to bring the officer to the station to get booked. There have been instances where a person passes a test but is still arrested, but it all depends on the situation. An officer may feel like a driver is impaired because of his or her behavior on the road despite passing a field sobriety test or breath test. If someone refuses to take a test, an officer could arrest them as New Jersey abides by the implied consent rule.
Someone who has been arrested and charged with DUI before will face more consequences the second, third, and fourth time around. As a result, he or she could go from having their license suspended to spending months in prison for their actions. It would be best for anyone in this situation to find legal help right away by contacting a lawyer that can come up with a defense strategy.
Contact an Experienced Cherry Hill Drug Defense Attorney About Your Drug Crime Charges in New Jersey
Have you been charged with a DUI-related offense in New Jersey? A conviction can carry with it heavy fines, jail time, and driver’s license suspension! That is why it is imperative that you speak with a qualified criminal defense lawyer about your case. The lawyers at Gelman Law represent clients charged with DUI-related offenses in Burlington and Camden Counties, and throughout New Jersey. Call 856-861-4236 or fill out our confidential online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office located at 1940 Rt. 70 East, Suite 4, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
