New Jersey DWI Lawyer Blog
As a New Jersey drunk driving defense lawyer, I and my firm have the necessary experience to make the difference in most any DWI, breath test refusal, or drug DUI case. While it might seem that a first-time conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol may not be that serious, think again. Not only are the penalties for a first-time offense stiff, it only make a possible second or third arrest and conviction for driving while intoxicated that much more serious.
Anyone looking at multiple convictions for drunk driving needs the services of a qualified and experienced DWI attorney. Whether an individual has been charged with DWI or drug DUI, the consequences of multiple convictions can be very detrimental to one’s future. Jobs have been lost and families torn apart by the seemingly simple act of driving while impaired. Don’t make a bad situation worse by not taking the proper steps to defend yourself in a court of law.
It’s not uncommon for many people charged with a first-time DWI to go in front of the court by themselves. And although they may have fared better had they sought legal counsel in the wake of that first DWI arrest, there is a potential upside should they be arrested for a future drunk driving violation.
It may seem odd, but if you did not have legal representation in your first DWI case, it’s possible that a court may allow your second offense to be treated as your first. At my firm we typically ask the court to handle a subsequent offense as a first offense when sentencing — this is usually done when a defendant did not have an attorney at the time of their first conviction.
Of course, timing is everything. If your first charge of driving while intoxicated had not been resolved when you were picked up again, some judges have been known to allow your multiple sentences, including periods of license suspension, to run concurrently.
Another consideration is the place where the individual arrests were made. If your first DWI conviction occurred out-of-state, this does not automatically raise your current New Jersey offense to that of a multiple DWI or drug DUI offense. An experienced attorney can argue that possible discrepancies in the drunk driving laws of the two states means you should be sentenced under New Jersey DWI/DUI penalties for first offenders.
Consider these as strong examples of why hiring a qualified New Jersey DWI lawyer is in your best interests. It can make the difference between a bright future and one that is fraught with complications and lost opportunities.