New Jersey DWI Penalties

Every state across the country treats DWI charges differently. In New Jersey, DUI charges are considered motor vehicle violations as opposed to criminal charges like most surrounding states. However, do not start celebrating just yet – New Jersey has some of the strictest DWI penalties in the entire country. This is because a first offense DWI in New Jersey carries a mandatory suspension of your driving privileges for upwards of 1 year. Unlike other states, New Jersey does not offer a work license or “hardship” license – one year means one year. And don’t get caught driving while suspended for your DWI because that will result in mandatory jail time or even fourth degree indictable charge depending on the circumstances. To make matters worse, the suspension is normally accompanied by an interlock device, community service, thousands in fines, and even incarceration. Furthermore, New Jersey does not allow for any jury trials on DWI cases and prohibits the prosecutor from plea bargaining DWI and Refusal charges. This means the only way to beat or downgrade a DUI charge is to aggressively challenge the state’s case against you that they cannot prove certain elements of the charged offense. Please see the following chart to get an idea of what New Jersey DWI and Refusal penalties entail:    

First DUI Offense 

 Second DUI Offense

Third DUI Offense (within 10 years of 2nd offense)