DWI charges are a serious criminal offense in New Jersey. These charges are notorious for their harm to individuals and result in higher deaths per year as compared to the death toll during the entire Vietnam War. Hence, these crimes often receive harsh legal penalties, even for first-time offenders. If you require immediate legal assistance in New Jersey, definitely consider hiring a New Jersey criminal defense attorney. There are many advantages to hiring a local attorney. 3 key advantages are mentioned below.
Local Laws
Each state deals with DWI charges differently. While DWI remains a serious offense in all states, the type of substance, the implication vary widely in each state. Hence, your sentence, potential pitfalls will vary widely. Furthermore, your local attorney will be far more useful in navigating the local court system, thanks to his association with the police department, and local magistrate. He might also be close to the victim’s family and may offer more negotiation options than a nationwide law firm.
DWI in New Jersey
Driving under the influence and driving while impaired is used interchangeably in New Jersey. These two terms both assume that you were carrying illegal drugs, or alcohol in your system, or your car. Furthermore, once you are caught with alcohol or drugs, you will be tested for BAC, or Blood Alcohol Content. In New Jersey, the acceptable alcohol limit in your system depends on your age. For individuals under 21, this limit is 0.02%, while it is 0.04% for commercial motorists. For others, this limit is 0.08%. if you are a commercial driver charged with a DWI, you need to be extra careful on the roadways, and during prosecution. The New Jersey laws demand a higher standard from commercial motorists, and this can quickly prove detrimental to your career. A commercial driver’s license can be suspended immediately after a DUI conviction.
Open Container Laws
Apart from a DWI, individuals also need to watch out for open container laws, which mandate that individuals cannot possess openly contained alcohol in any quantity. This will take effect if you are found with an open seal of the beverage or the beverage is poured into a cup or container. The law applies to all drivers regardless of whether they were drinking or not, as long as they were located on a public highway or a parking lot. Specific vehicles like limos, motor homes, buses are exempted from this restriction.
