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If you are accused of DUI in New Jersey, you face more than a serious legal problem. The repercussions of a drinking-and-driving conviction can have a long-term impact on your reputation, your ability to drive legally, and many of your future opportunities. When arrested and accused of DUI, it’s important to exercise your right to remain silent and contact a New Jersey DUI attorney immediately.
New Jersey DUI defense lawyer Steven Ellman has 35 years of experience defending challenging DUI cases and is proud to have achieved many remarkable victories. Steven Ellman knows each DUI case is unique, so his goal is to mitigate the damage as much as legally possible.
To date, Steven Ellman has represented over 1,000 DUI cases, and few law firms can match his record of favorable outcomes. These include an 80%-plus success rate in having DUI, DWI, and traffic offense charges dismissed.
Steven Ellman is a certified, award-winning DUI criminal defense attorney and a peer-respected defense lawyer. His authoritative approach, exceptional trial skills, and dedication to each client have led to a reputation for excellence in DUI defense.
Don’t let a DUI ruin your life and stain your record. Reach out to Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey DUI lawyer Steven Ellman today.
New Jersey has a legal limit for alcohol intake before it becomes a DUI. New Jersey DUI laws state that you are considered legally intoxicated if you have a blood alcohol level or blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or above. If you are a commercially licensed driver, you are considered legally intoxicated if your BAC is 0.04 percent or above. Anyone under the age of 21 with a BAC of 0.01 percent to 0.08 percent can be arrested for a “baby DUI.” (As a reminder, it’s illegal for anyone under age 21 to consume alcohol in New Jersey.)
In addition, New Jersey has an “implied consent law.” It states that by obtaining a driver’s license, you consent to have your BAC tested if you are stopped for drunk driving. If you refuse to take a BAC breath, your license will be suspended for one year.
DWI stands for “driving while intoxicated,” while DUI stands for “driving under the influence.” The state does not distinguish between either crime, as both involve operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol. Because of this, people usually use the terms DUI and DWI interchangeably. They are both prosecuted under the same statute, N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.
Because New Jersey does not consider a DUI to be an “indictable offense,” it is typically not considered a felony. Rather, a DUI in Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey is usually considered a serious traffic violation. However, it could be raised to an indictable offense under certain circumstances.
The cost of a New Jersey DUI lawyer’s service can vary. For example, cases in which a defendant is a repeat offender can cost more than one in which the defendant is facing charges for a first-time offense. However, when seeking an attorney for a DUI matter, you should be wary of several things:
The Law Office of Steven Ellman believes you shouldn’t have to pay anything just to figure out your next move following a DUI arrest. Instead, Steven Ellman provides a free, in-depth consultation for all cases. He can review your situation, go over your legal rights, and give you the answers you need, including lawyer fees. This way, you can decide what makes sense for you.
Yes, and for several reasons. For example, the prosecution could lack sufficient evidence – such as breathalyzer or blood test results – proving any of the elements of your charge. The evidence could have been obtained in violation of a defendant’s rights (i.e., police lacking probable cause or reasonable suspicion to initiate a traffic stop, failure to advise the suspect of their Miranda rights). In addition, there could be errors in testing, rendering the results scientifically unreliable.
Depending on the judge’s discretion, people convicted of DUI could have options to being confined in the county jail. These include:
Because New Jersey drunk driving laws are severe, the penalties that come with a DUI include long-term driving restrictions, costly fines and fees, and significant jail time. These penalties get heftier with each subsequent offense.
If you have a BAC of 0.08 to 0.09 percent on your first DUI offense, you could face the following:
If your BAC is 0.10 percent or higher, your penalties include:
A second DUI charge after a prior conviction in the last 10 years brings higher penalties if you’re convicted. These include:
Third and subsequent DUI convictions carry the harshest penalties. These include:
No matter whether the offense is a first DUI, second DUI, or third/subsequent DUI, any New Jersey DUI conviction also requires the convicted to pay:
There are other considerations in a DUI matter:
Taking all of these factors into consideration, you can see what the true cost of a DUI is in New Jersey.
Steven Ellman is laser-focused on helping his clients resolve their legal issues promptly, receive fair compensation where applicable, and move forward with their lives. He is known for treating all his clients with the utmost respect, listening to their concerns, giving them options, and helping them make informed decisions about how to best proceed with their cases.
An ignition interlock device is a switch that measures a driver’s BAC. It will start the vehicle’s engine when the driver’s BAC is below the alcohol set point, or it will lock the ignition if the driver’s BAC is at or above the alcohol set point.
If someone else blows into an interlock device to start a motor vehicle on behalf of the convicted person or tampers with the device to circumvent its operation, they may be charged with a disorderly persons offense.
Yes. In addition to a DUI / DWI charge, you could face additional criminal charges if, while you were driving under the influence:
Going up against a judge and a prosecutor alone on a DUI charge is never a good idea. Saying the wrong thing upon arrest or before a judge can lead to life-changing punishments that could have been avoided had you hired a lawyer. Further, if the prosecution has a weak case, evidence wasn’t correctly collected, or you passed the necessary tests to prove sobriety, you might not be able to prove these things or provide a compelling argument.
Because New Jersey’s DUI laws are complex, you need someone who knows what they mean and how they can be beaten based on your charge and circumstance. With New Jersey DUI defense attorney Steven Ellman on your side, you’ll have someone with substantial trial practice. This includes time in the field with case investigations, evidence analysis, and negotiating with prosecutors for lesser sentences, reduced charges, or charges being dropped altogether.
As your trusted counsel, Steven Ellman will:
After being arrested and charged with DUI, the actions you take immediately after the arrest can significantly impact the outcome. The earlier that the Law Office of Steven Ellman gets to work for you, the better your options could be — including reduced charges, dismissed charges, or a “not guilty” verdict at trial.
Let an experienced, reputable New Jersey DUI defense attorney help you pursue the best possible outcome from your DUI charges in Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey. Contact Steven Ellman today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
After being arrested and charged with DUI, the actions you take immediately after the arrest can significantly impact the outcome. The earlier that the Law Office of Steven Ellman gets to work for you, the better your options could be — including reduced charges, dismissed charges, or a “not guilty” verdict at trial.
Let an experienced, reputable New Jersey DUI defense attorney help you pursue the best possible outcome from your DUI charges in Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey. Contact Steven Ellman today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
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