The state of New Jersey considers a DUI charge as a serious criminal offense. And if you are a driver with a commercial driver’s license, the courts will inflict even harsher penalties on you. This can impact many facets of your life, but especially your employment as a commercial driver. If you find yourself being convicted of a DUI, follow along to discover how a seasoned Morristown DUI defense lawyer at Graves Andrews, LLC can work on your behalf to lessen or eliminate the charges against you altogether.
What blood alcohol content constitutes a DUI charge for a commercial driver in New Jersey?
A law enforcement officer will pull you over and ask you to take a breath test if they believe that you are driving while intoxicated. As a typical New Jersey driver, if you blow .08% or higher, you will receive a DUI. However, as a driver operating a commercial vehicle, you only need to blow a .04% or higher to receive a DUI.
What are the penalties for a first-offense DUI for a commercial driver in New Jersey?
Like a typical New Jersey driver, you can expect to face various penalties with your first-offense DUI, including potential jail time, high fines, and extensive hours of community service. However, as a commercial driver, you can also expect to lose your commercial driver’s license for one year. And if you were transporting hazardous materials, this suspension can increase to three years. This can greatly affect your ability to earn a living since you are likely employed to drive. Additionally, you can also expect to have your standard driver’s license suspended for up to one year.
It is important to note that if you have certain crimes on your record, you may get a permanent suspension of your commercial driver’s license as a first-time offender.
What are the consequences of a second-offense DUI for a commercial driver in New Jersey?
Undoubtedly, a second-offense DUI comes with greater consequences than that of a first-offense DUI. That is, as a commercial driver, you will most likely face the permanent revocation of your commercial driver’s license. This is in addition to losing your standard driver’s license for one year and potential jail time, fines, and community service.
Such penalties will not only impact your livelihood but your life as a whole. If you are ready to take a defense against your DUI conviction, do not hesitate in reaching out to a knowledgeable Morristown criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.
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