We all know that driving while intoxicated carries some serious risks. A person who drives while under the influence can cause serious injury and even death. In spite of all the risks, driving while intoxicated remains a major problem in the United States. Let’s take a closer look at some of the consequences of driving under the influence.

 

Jail Time and Community Service

 

The consequences of a DUI or DWI usually depend on whether or not a person was caught driving under the influence more than once. A first offense will carry much lower penalties than a second or third. However, any DUI/DWI conviction can result in jail time and community service. For the first offense, a person can spend up to a month in jail. By the third offense, the possible jail time goes up to 180 days. A judge may also add community service to a person’s drunk driving penalty, which will result in even more lost time.

 

Driving Privilege Changes

 

A person convicted of driving while intoxicated will see severe changes to his or her driving privileges. For the first offense, the individual may lose his or her driver’s license for 3 months to a year. For a second offense, the person could lose the license for 2 years, and with a third offense, the penalty changes to 10 years. In any DUI or DWI case, a judge may require that the individual gets an ignition interlock device in order to get his or her driving privileges back. An ignition interlock device works like a breathalyzer. The driver must breathe into it to start the car, and the device will prevent the car from starting if the driver has a BAC over the legal driving limit.

 

Financial Hardships

 

Driving while intoxicated can also result in financial consequences. In New Jersey, all DWI and DUI convictions require certain fees, such as the Motor Vehicle Restoration fee. The conviction may result in additional fines. Like the other penalties, those fines will depend on whether or not this DUI was the person’s first offense. If so, the individual may pay anywhere from $250 to $500. However, the fines get steeper for the second and third offenses. Finally, the State charges surcharges of $3,000 for a DUI.

 

Driving While Intoxicated

 

Have you been accused of driving while intoxicated? Do you need an attorney to build your defense or provide legal advice? Contact Leon Matchin today. Call 732-887-2479 or email [email protected].