DWI Law: New Jersey DWI Penalties

In New Jersey, you can be convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DWI) if your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is .08 or greater. You may also be convicted of DWI if the State Attorney can show that your normal faculties were impaired by alcohol at the time you were driving (i.e. slurred speech, can’t walk in a straight line, etc.). If your BAC is .10 or greater you may receive enhanced penalties.

First Offense DWI in New Jersey (BAC between .08 and .10)
Your first DWI offense in New Jersey (BAC between .08 and .10) may result in a prison sentence of up to thirty (30) days. You will receive a fine of between $250.00 and $400.00 not including surcharges, fees and assessments. You will also have your driver’s license suspended for three (3) months.

First Offense DWI in New Jersey (BAC over .10 - Enhanced Penalty)
Your first DWI offense in New Jersey (BAC over .10) may result in a prison sentence of up to thirty (30) days. You will receive a fine of between $300.00 and $500.00 not including surcharges, fees and assessments. You will also have your driver’s license suspended for between seven (7) months to one (1) year.

Second Offense DWI in New Jersey
Your second DWI offense in New Jersey will result in a prison sentence of between forty eight (48) consecutive hours and ninety (90) days. You will receive a fine of between $500.00 and $1,000.00 not including surcharges, fees and assessments. You will also have your driver’s license suspended for two (2) years. You will be given thirty (30) days community service.

Third (or Subsequent) Offense DWI in New Jersey
Your third DWI offense in New Jersey will result in a prison sentence of at least one hundred eighty (180) days. You will receive a fine of $1,000.00 not including surcharges, fees and assessments. You will also have your driver’s license suspended for ten (10) years.

As you can see there is a wide range of charges and sentences that can be imposed on you if you are caught DWI in New Jersey. To get the best results, contact one of our sponsoring attorneys below or at the top of this page.