Old Bridge DUI Attorney

Chances are that if you are reading this page, you or a loved one has been charged with a DWI offense in Old Bridge, New Jersey. DUI charges are highly technical and complicated cases that can go on for months or even upwards of a year. If you have any hope of beating your case or reducing your penalties it is vital that you consider hiring an attorney with extensive NJ DWI experience. The attorneys at William Proetta Criminal Law are uniquely qualified in identifying the technical requirements that must be followed by New Jersey State and Old Bridge police officers in order to bring a case against you. Will Proetta, our founding attorney, is certified in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing along with certification by Draeger Industries in the operation and maintenance of the Alcotest 7110, the breath test device used by NJ police to measure BAC. These credentials are invaluable in gauging the strength of the state’s case against you and are matched by few, if any New Jersey law firms. If you would like to learn about how our Old Bridge NJ DWI defense lawyers can help you with your particular case, contact us at (732) 659-9600 for a free consultation.

DWI Charges in Old Bridge NJ

Home to Garden State Parkway Interchange 120 and convenient access to Staten Island and Long Island, Old Bridge DWI, DUI, and Refusal charges are substantially high. The DUI New Jersey Statute provides: N.J.S.A. 39:4-50, Driving While Intoxicated – A person who operates a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor, narcotic, hallucinogenic or habit-producing drug, or operates a motor vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Content in excess of 0.08% is guilty of Driving While Intoxicated under New Jersey State Law.

Essentially, a DWI conviction requires that the state must prove three (3) factors are present.

  1. Intoxication- The state must be able to prove through standardized or non-standard field sobriety tests, or through chemical (breath, blood or urine) testing that the operator of the motor vehicle is intoxicated.
  2. Operation- It must also be established that the defendant actually operated the motor vehicle. “Operating” a vehicle is not the same as “driving” in the eyes of the state, often allowing for prosecution even in cases where the vehicle was not moving. Operation consists of four characteristics; Control of the vehicle, an intention to move the vehicle, an action taken towards moving the vehicle, and the ability of the vehicle to move.
  3. Motor Vehicle- Although rarely the element in issue, the state must also establish that the defendant was operating a vehicle considered in the statute to be a “motor vehicle”. The definition is broad, consisting of all vehicles propelled otherwise than by muscular power.

If you are stopped and subsequently arrested for Driving While Intoxicated in Old Bridge then you will most likely be summoned to appear in Old Bridge Municipal Court. It is always a good idea to have a lawyer present with you in court for charges this serious. It is wise to make sure that you arrive early for your court date and be prepared to stay for several hours as the court calendar can be very busy.

What is the Impact of a DWI if Convicted in Old Bridge?

The impact of a DWI conviction can be devastating for you and your family. For one thing, you could be facing the possibility of a jail sentence, especially if you have any prior DWI convictions on your record. Moreover, many of the other penalties imposed in drunk driving cases are mandatory, which means that there will be no possibility of pleading guilty to the charges in order to avoid statutory punishments. The most serious consequences of a DWI conviction may include:

  • Jail time
  • Driver’s license suspension
  • DWI conviction on your permanent driving record
  • Court fines
  • Motor Vehicle Commission surcharges
  • Higher insurance premiums
  • Ignition interlock device installed on your car
  • Alcohol education classes
  • Psychological and alcohol abuse counseling
  • Community service

While a first DWI offense can technically result in jail time, most first-time offenders are able to avoid jail time as long as they were not charged with causing a DWI accident or their blood alcohol concentration did not exceed .10 percent. Consequences become worse as the number of prior DUI convictions goes up. In addition to the penalties handed down by the judge in your DWI case, there are also social consequences that could affect you in your daily life. For example, many people with a drunk driving conviction on their record find themselves ostracized or judged by friends and family. Beyond that, you may need to explain your past conviction for a very long time because a DWI conviction can never be removed from your driving history. While most non-violent criminal charges in New Jersey can be removed from a person’s criminal record via a process known as “expungement,” drunk driving is not technically classified as a criminal offense; it is a traffic offense, and therefore ineligible for expungement. This means that a DWI conviction or guilty plea will be a permanent black mark on your driving record. This can affect how much you pay for car insurance long after you finish paying thousands of dollars in surcharges.

Contact Old Bridge NJ DUI Defense Attorneys to Discuss Your Case

The Law Offices of William Proetta Criminal Law stand ready to defend you or your loved one from your Old Bridge DWI or DUI charge. Please feel free to consult one of our uniquely qualified attorneys by phone at (732) 659-9600 or schedule an appointment at our office at 3840 Park Avenue in Edison, New Jersey.