Elizabeth DUI Lawyer

It’s embarrassing to be pulled over and arrested for a DUI, but all it takes is the police thinking you had one drink too many. Unfortunately, an error in judgment can have consequences that last for years, including losing your license, fines, jail time, and long-term damage to your reputation.

You need the help of a trusted and experienced Elizabeth DWI defense lawyer with a personalized approach to fighting drunk driving charges in Elizabeth, NJ.

William Proetta Criminal Law has an Elizabeth DUI lawyer with extensive experience successfully defending against drunk driving charges. Our law office is conveniently located in nearby Jersey City, and we are ready to help you fight the charges you’re facing.

If you’ve been charged with drunk driving in Elizabeth, New Jersey, contact William Proetta Criminal Law or call us 24/7 at (201) 740-5804 immediately to set up a free and confidential consultation with a DUI/DWI defense attorney. We have a nearby office conveniently located at 242 10th Street, Suite 103, Jersey City, NJ 07302.

Reasons You Need Our Elizabeth DUI Criminal Defense Attorney

William Proetta Criminal Law is the firm to call when you need a DUI attorney in Elizabeth, NJ. We have a proven track record of successfully handling countless New Jersey criminal cases of all kinds, including many DUI/DWI cases. We know the importance of having a good working relationship with courts and prosecutors and have spent years cultivating those relationships in Union County and surrounding areas.

We offer a free and honest review of your situation so you will understand your legal options and be positioned to make the best decision for your defense. If you hire us as your DUI defense attorney, you will never be handed off to a junior lawyer. You’ll always be able to get personal attention directly from your attorney.

Check out our many positive testimonials from previous clients to find out more about what it is like to have our law firm on your side.

For example, in the words of our past client Michael M.:

“William is an elite defense attorney. He knows exactly how to navigate the legal system. If you don’t choose him, you are doing yourself a disservice.”

Potential Consequences of a DUI Conviction in Elizabeth, NJ

If you’ve been charged with a DUI in Elizabeth, you are facing serious legal and personal consequences.

These include:

Driver’s license suspension
Fines
Jail time
Installation of an ignition interlock on your car
Personal embarrassment

No one wants to lose their driver’s license, pay a hefty fine, or have to go to jail because of a DUI charge. If the police pulled you over without probable cause or performed a sobriety test incorrectly, you should not have to face these embarrassing and inconvenient consequences unfairly.

Our Elizabeth DUI/DWI defense lawyer can help protect your legal rights and work to minimize the penalties you face for a DUI arrest.

If you’re arrested for a DUI in Elizabeth, New Jersey, you could face charges under state law for driving while intoxicated.

Potential consequences of a first DUI conviction with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of more than 0.08 percent but less than 0.10 percent include:

Incarceration for up to 30 days
Three-month license suspension
Fines of $250 to $400

You could also have to take a course and pass the screening and evaluation standards of the New Jersey Intoxicated Driver Resource Center, and you may have to have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle.

Along with the legal and financial consequences of a DUI conviction in New Jersey, there are also personal consequences, including:

Damage to your reputation
Increased auto insurance premiums
The embarrassment of being convicted for a DUI offense
Damage to your relationships with friends and family

Understanding NJ DUI Laws

New Jersey has two tiers of DUI charges under state law. The penalties increase if you have a BAC above 0.10 percent. You could lose your license for seven months to a year, spend up to 30 days in jail, and pay fines of up to $500 for your first offense. If you have any illegal drugs in your system, you will automatically be charged as if you had a BAC of 0.10 percent.

Penalties are also more severe for repeat offenders, including:

Incarceration for 48 hours to 90 days with 30 days of community service, two-year suspension of driving privileges, and fines of $500 to $1,000 for your second offense
Incarceration for at least 180 days with a 10-year license suspension and a $1,000 fine for your third offense

Considering the severe penalties for a high BAC under New Jersey law, are you better off refusing to take a sobriety test? Under New Jersey’s implied consent law, you are legally presumed to have consented to testing when you decided to drive. If you resist being tested, a police officer cannot force you, but you will be subject to penalties.

These include:

$300 to $500 fine
Ignition interlock device
Minimum 12 hours of courses from the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center
$1,000 auto insurance surcharge for three years
$100 surcharge for Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund

Potential DUI Defense Strategies in Elizabeth, NJ

What strategies can our Elizabeth DWI defense lawyers use to defend you against your DWI charges? That depends on the details of your case.

Some common defense strategies include:

Challenging breathalyzer accuracy or blood test accuracy
Arguing that the field sobriety test was improperly performed or that you have health conditions that impaired your performance
Citing improper police procedures, like failure to read your rights or implied consent warnings
Challenging lack of reasonable suspicion or probable cause for the traffic stop or for taking blood or urine samples
Arguing that you were not operating the vehicle at the time of the DWI arrest

Attorney William Proetta is certified in Standard Field Sobriety Testing and Alcotest, so he can often spot mistakes in test administration that can result in dismissal or acquittal at trial. If the officers who pulled you over didn’t follow proper procedure or didn’t have probable cause to stop you, the judge may throw the case out, or the prosecutor may reduce the charges.

How William Proetta Can Help You with Your DUI Case in Elizabeth, NJ

William Proetta Criminal Law is an Elizabeth DWI lawyer with extensive experience fighting DUI charges in New Jersey. We have repeatedly achieved successful results for our clients, including dismissals, acquittals, and reduced charges in DUI cases.

The local advantage is a significant factor in our success in securing favorable results, as we have knowledge of Elizabeth courts and procedures that lawyers from other parts of the state may not possess.

According to our previous client, Luis M.:

“Mr. Proetta’s expertise, dedication, and strategic approach were instrumental in achieving a successful outcome in my case.”

To get the help you need with your DUI case, contact William Proetta Criminal Law or call us 24/7 at (201) 740-5804 today for a free consultation.