Many of us know someone who has been charged with a DUI. It seems as if a new celebrity is being charged with a DUI every day. With the frequency of DUI charges, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs may appear to be a routine, everyday activity. However, facing the penalties that are bound to follow a DUI is anything but routine.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious crime and the State of New Jersey has chosen to prosecute it as such. Therefore, a person that is convicted of a DUI faces multiple penalties – including monetary fines and fees, jail time, suspension of a driver’s license, community service, and more. The severity of each of these penalties depends on the individual circumstances of the arrest.

A driver who has been charged with a first DUI and has a BAC between 0.08% and 0.10% can face:

• Suspension of driver’s license for three months
• Fines ranging from $250-400
• $1,000/year insurance surcharge for three years
• Up to 30 days in prison
• 12-48 hours of DUI classes

A first-time offender who has a BAC of 0.10% or above faces the same penalties, except license suspension is increased to seven to 12 months and fines are increased to $300-500. In addition, if a driver is found with a BAC of 0.15% or greater, he or she faces a potential installation of an ignition interlock device in the vehicle during the license suspension and for six to 12 months following restoration. Multiple offenders face even steeper charges and a laundry list of penalties, depending upon the number of their DUI offenses and the interlude between the offenses.

DUI is a serious offense that carries extensive penalties. The best way to avoid these penalties is not to get behind the wheel when you’ve been drinking. However, if you are charged with a DUI, it is important that you consult an experienced DUI attorney who may be able to help lower the penalties imposed upon you.