In New Jersey, a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) can have serious and long-term consequences. Even though New Jersey classifies DUI as a traffic offense rather than a crime, a conviction can still lead to fines, jail time, and other penalties. The risk of facing these penalties makes it critical to have an experienced New Jersey DUI lawyer on your side.
But, court-imposed penalties are not the only risks of facing a DUI in New Jersey. If you get convicted of DUI, you can face a variety of other consequences as well. These other consequences can impact nearly all aspects of your life, and, as a result, you owe it to yourself to fight your DUI by all means available.
A Closer Look at the Consequences of a DUI Conviction
If you are facing a DUI in New Jersey, what is at stake in your case? Here is a closer look at the consequences of a DUI conviction:
Court-Imposed Penalties
Judges in New Jersey can impose several penalties for DUI convictions at all levels. In general, a conviction in court could lead to:
- Driver’s license suspension
- Jail time
- Mandatory attendance at an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC)
- Mandatory ignition interlock device (IID) installation
- Thousands of dollars in fines, fees, and surcharges
New Jersey’s court-imposed penalties for DUI increase for drivers with a BAC of 0.10 percent or above. They also increase for repeat offenders. If you refused the breath test, if you caused an accident while driving under the influence, if you were driving under the influence in a school zone, or if you had a minor in your vehicle, these could all increase the penalties that are at stake in your case as well.
Increased Auto Insurance Premiums
Having a DUI conviction on your record will also substantially increase your auto insurance premiums. While each insurance company sets its own rates, on average, a DUI conviction will increase your premiums by somewhere in the range of 70 to 100 percent—and you will need to pay this increased rate for several years.
This can add thousands of dollars to the costs of your DUI conviction. According to a recent article published by insurance marketplace The Zebra, average DUI insurance rates in New Jersey range from $1,554 to $3,048 per year, depending on the carrier.
Additional Financial Costs
Along with fines, fees, surcharges, and higher auto insurance premiums, a DUI conviction can also lead to additional financial costs. For example, following your conviction, you may be forced to incur costs such as:
- The costs of installing your IID
- Monthly monitoring costs for your IID
- Additional transportation costs while your license is suspended
- Lost income when you miss time from work to attend the IDRC
- Driver’s license reinstatement fees
Together, these costs can represent a substantial financial burden. If you get caught driving without a license or an IID, it will add to your financial losses, as both can lead to additional fines and other penalties.
Career Consequences
Regardless of what you do for work, getting a DUI can have a major impact on your career. Contrary to popular belief, getting a DUI is not just a concern for people who get paid to drive.
All types of employers can (and do) consider DUIs when making hiring decisions. If your current employer finds out about your DUI conviction, this could put your current job at risk as well. Since DUIs are classified as traffic offenses instead of crimes in New Jersey, DUIs are not eligible for expungement, which means your DUI conviction will stay on your record for the rest of your life.
If you have a professional license (i.e., if you are an accountant, architect, real estate agent, nurse, doctor, or lawyer), a DUI conviction could lead to disciplinary action as well. Here, the specific risks you are facing depend on your individual circumstances, but they can generally range from a reprimand to loss of licensure.
Other Consequences of a DUI Conviction
A DUI conviction in New Jersey could also lead to a variety of other consequences depending on your individual circumstances. Some examples include:
- Family – DUI convictions can impact divorced and separated parents’ custody and visitation rights in some cases.
- Financing – If you have a DUI conviction on your record, you may find it more difficult to obtain financing, and any financing you are able to obtain may be at much higher rates.
- Housing – In addition to making it more difficult (and more expensive) to buy a home, having a DUI on your record can limit your options for renting an apartment or house.
- Immigration – If you are a foreign citizen, getting a DUI in New Jersey could have serious consequences for your immigration status.
- Military – If you are in the military, you could face a court-martial or non-judicial action, and this could lead to loss of rank, loss of pay, or even a dishonorable discharge.
As you can see, facing a DUI in New Jersey poses serious risks—and you cannot afford to take your situation lightly. To ensure that you are considering all of your options for avoiding unnecessary consequences, you should speak with an experienced New Jersey DUI lawyer as soon as possible. While you may have various options available, you will need to take an informed, strategic approach tailored to your case's specific circumstances.
Schedule a Consultation with a New Jersey DUI Lawyer at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A.
If you need more information about facing a DUI in New Jersey, we encourage you to contact us right away. Our lawyers represent individuals facing DUI charges throughout the state. To schedule a consultation with an experienced New Jersey DUI lawyer at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. as soon as possible, call 877-435-6371 or tell us how we can contact you online now.
