The Different Ways a DWI Can Affect Your Life

A DWI conviction in New Jersey can have a profound impact on your life. Depending on the circumstances of your case and whether you have prior DWI or DUI convictions on your record, you could be looking at both short-term and long-term consequences. One of the most severe penalties imposed against DWI offenses is the loss of driving privileges in NJ for an extended period of time. Of course, there are other DWI penalties that can wind up haunting you for a very long time as well.

The truth is that a drunk driving charge does not make you a bad person. It just means that you may have made a mistake. The problem is that New Jersey police officers, prosecutors, and judges might not see it that way. In recent years, law enforcement has really started to crack down on DWI offenses and prosecutors have sought maximum penalties for DWI convictions as part of a major effort to reduce drunk driving accidents and fatalities.

Negative Consequences of a DWI Conviction in NJ

If you made a mistake and were charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI), it is crucial that you have a qualified DWI and traffic defense attorney representing you. That’s because there could be many negative consequences if you are ultimately convicted of, or plead guilty to, a DWI offense in NJ.

Here are a few of the different ways a DWI can affect your life:

·       Driver’s License Suspension: A DWI conviction will result in mandatory suspension of your driving privileges in the State of New Jersey.

·       Heavy Fines and Monetary Penalties: A DWI conviction will result in mandatory fines and monetary penalties that can total more than $1,000 for even a first-time offender. On top of that, the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) will impose surcharges of $1,000 per year for three years. This means that your bank account and finances will take a serious hit if you are convicted of drunk driving.

·       Jail Time: Although first-time DWI offenders typically avoid jail time for a drunk driving conviction, repeat offenders face minimum mandatory jail sentences. Not only will you wind up behind bars, you will also have to explain your absence from work to your employer.

·       Loss of Employment: Depending on the type of job you have, it’s possible that you will struggle to maintain your employment without the ability to drive while your license is suspended. And if you don’t currently have a job and are looking for work, the loss of your driver’s license could make it extremely difficult for you during the job-hunting process.

·       Damaged Reputation: In the age of the Internet, it is very difficult to keep news of your DWI arrest and conviction from circulating. If you are convicted of a DWI, you could face a social stigma and a damaged reputation that follows you for the rest of your life.

If you have been charged with a DWI, a DUI, or Breath Test Refusal in Atlantic County, New Jersey, you need a qualified traffic and DWI defense attorney on your side. The experienced, DWI defense lawyers at the Law Offices of John W. Tumelty can help you fight your charges and avoid the most severe penalties. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation about your case.