Being charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol is not as simple as paying a fine and moving on. Rather, this one-off incident may follow you for the rest of your lifetime. Continue reading to learn the consequences of receiving a DUI charge and how an experienced Morristown DUI defense lawyer at Graves Andrews, LLC can help you curb them in every way possible.
What are the consequences of receiving a DUI charge?
Notably, the state of New Jersey does not consider a DUI offense to be criminal. Rather, it recognizes it as a traffic violation. However, it is the most serious traffic violation and therefore comes with more serious consequences. Even for a first-offense DUI with no aggravating factors (i.e., no injury or death, no child as a passenger, no blood-alcohol content level over 0.10 percent, etc)., the potential penalties are as follows:
- A mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle for three months.
- A suspension of your driver’s license until an IID is installed in your vehicle.
- A mandatory attendance at the New Jersey Intoxicated Driver Resource Center for 48 hours.
- A jail sentence of up to 30 days.
- A fine of up to $500.
What are the long-term consequences a DUI charge has on my quality of life?
A bright side in this otherwise negative matter is that your DUI charge may not appear on your permanent criminal record. This is because, to reiterate, it is not an indictable crime or disorderly persons offense. However, this is not to say there are no long-term consequences of your DUI charge; even after you fulfill all the penalties imposed against you. More specific examples are as follows:
- Your DUI charge may appear on a background check conducted against you by a prospective employer.
- Your DUI charge may hinder your ability to gain employment in certain job industries ever again.
- Your DUI charge may hinder your ability to obtain or renew your professional work license(s).
- Your DUI charge may hinder your ability to get or keep custody rights over your children.
- Your DUI charge may ruin your reputation amongst your family, peers, colleagues, etc.
- Your DUI charge may cause your auto insurance premiums to skyrocket.
To avoid all this headache, you must fight for your DUI charge to be dropped in the first place. That is, during your criminal court proceedings, you must convince the judge that you are not guilty of committing this act. Or, in your plea bargain proceedings, you must negotiate with the defense team to at least reduce your charge for reckless driving.
So, if you require immediate legal representation, look no further than a skilled Morristown criminal defense lawyer. Someone at Graves Andres, LLC will happily serve you.
