There are strict penalties for a first offense of driving while intoxicated (DWI) in the state of New Jersey so that you may be deterred from making the same mistake again. But unfortunately, you may find yourself in a predicament where you are being accused of this offense for the third time. With this, you may be worried about just how seriously you will be punished, specifically with the amount of time you will be sent away to jail, if found guilty. Read on to discover how long you will go to jail for a third or subsequent DWI and how a seasoned Gloucester County DWI lawyer at The Vigilante Law Firm, P.C. can help eliminate, or at least reduce the severity of, this punishment.
How long will I go to jail for a third or subsequent DWI in New Jersey?
Importantly, your DWI may be considered your third offense if it was the third incident over 10 years. If this stands, you may face up to 180 days, or six months in jail. This may be a jump from a potential 90-day sentence with a second offense DWI and a 30-day sentence with a first offense. It is worth mentioning that, out of these 180 days, you may spend 90 of them in an in-patient rehabilitation program. Of course, this is so long as the New Jersey criminal court approves this beforehand.
What are the other penalties for a third or subsequent DWI in New Jersey?
The truth of the matter is that your jail sentence may be the beginning of your worries after being found guilty of a third or subsequent DWI. This is to say that the judge may inflict further punishments on you, such as the following:
- A fine of up to $1,000.
- A $100 fine to the Drunk Driving Fund.
- A $75 fine to the Neighborhood Services Fund.
- A $100 fine to the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Fund.
- A sentence of up to 90 days of community service.
- A mandatory 10-year suspension on your driver’s license.
- An automobile insurance surcharge of up to $1,500 per year for three years.
- A mandatory 12 to 48 hours at a New Jersey Intoxicated Driver Resource Center.
- An ignition interlock device in your vehicle during your driver’s license suspension and upon its reinstatement.
It is worth mentioning that these penalties may be made harsher if there were aggravating circumstances surrounding your drunk driving incident. For example, if a law enforcement officer finds you to have a high blood alcohol content (BAC) level at the time of your traffic stop. Specifically, a high BAC is considered to be 0.15 percent or more.
In conclusion, one of the experienced New Jersey & Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyers can help kickstart your legal action today. Our team at The Vigilante Law Firm, P.C. will happily take on your case.
