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Drivers who are convicted of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) for the first time in New Jersey will be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicles if legislation proposed by state lawmakers is enacted. Under current law, only first-time offenders with a blood alcohol concentration of .15 percent or higher or those who refuse a field sobriety test to install an IID.
IIDs require drivers to provide a breath sample before the vehicle can be started. If the device detects a significant amount of alcohol in the sample, the vehicle cannot be started. IIDs also require drivers to provide samples at random intervals while the vehicle is in operation.
According to Steven Benvenisti of the New Jersey Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the re-arrest rate for convicted drunk drivers goes down by nearly 70 percent when they have IIDs installed in their vehicles.
The law also would reduce the license suspensions first-time offenders face from three to seven months to 30 to 90 days. Proponents of the measure say that the law will ensure safety on the roads while avoiding the downward spiral that can be caused by not being able to get around for a significant period of time.
You Should Always Call a Lawyer after a Drunk Driving Arrest
It is important to be aware of the fact that even a first-time DWI arrest is a serious matter that should be handled with the assistance of an attorney. In some cases, there may be defenses available that could result in an extremely favorable plea bargain offer or the case against you being dropped entirely. These include the following:
- There was no legal justification for the initial traffic stop
- The officer that arrested you lacked sufficient experience or training
- There is evidence that the breathalyzer used in your case was not properly calibrated
- You have a medical condition that can cause high levels of mouth alcohol that could affect breathalyzer results
Call 732-662-7658 today for a free consultation.
If you have been arrested for drunk driving in New Jersey, you are almost certainly facing serious legal and extra-legal consequences. For this reason, you should contact a lawyer as soon as you can so that you can be sure your legal rights are fully protected. To schedule a free consultation with criminal defense attorney Leon Matchin, call our office today at 732-662-7658 or contact us online.
