Trenton Multiple DUI Lawyers
Multiple Offense DUI Charges Defense Attorneys in Mercer County, NJ, providing strong legal representation in Middlesex County, Monmouth County, and Throughout New Jersey
New Jersey state law takes the offense of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs seriously. Still, first-time offenders may be afforded some leniency. On the other hand, when you have multiple DUIs on your record, you’re facing much harsher penalties if convicted. You need the guidance and aggressive advocacy of experienced Trenton multiple DUI lawyers to help you minimize the impact of these charges on your life and pursue the most favorable outcome possible.
At The Scardella Law Firm, we have extensive experience defending against DUI and DWI charges of all kinds, including multiple offenses and the severe repercussions that accompany them. For help preparing a robust defense, contact us today.
Facing Multiple DUI Charges in Mercer County, NJ?
With a history of prior DUIs, this charge against you could severely affect your life. The fines and other crushing financial penalties are only the beginning. If convicted, you could spend months in prison and lose your driver’s license for years.
You don’t have to face this legal trouble alone. The Scardella Law Firm is here to help by developing smart defense strategies and aggressively representing you throughout all proceedings.
Areas Our Trenton Multiple DUI Lawyers Serve
We assist clients all over Mercer County and the surrounding area, including:
Our team’s extensive familiarity with law enforcement departments and courts in Mercer County and throughout the region gives us an insider’s advantage in defending against serious charges of repeat DUI offenses here.
Understanding Multiple DUI Charges
Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol is a crime under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 of New Jersey law.
State law defines driving while intoxicated for adults aged 21 and over as operating a motor vehicle while:
- Having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher or
- Being under the influence of intoxicating liquor or one or more narcotic, hallucinogenic, or habit-producing drugs.
The amount of alcohol or drugs in the driver’s system, as measured by their BAC, affects the severity of the charges against them and the possible sentences they could face if found guilty. The driver’s history of prior DUI offenses within the past 10 years has an even greater effect on the charges and potential consequences. A multiple DUI conviction in New Jersey will result in imprisonment, as well as fines and license forfeiture.
Given the serious implications of drunk driving charges as a repeat offender, you shouldn’t attempt to handle this legal matter without the guidance of highly skilled multiple offense DUI charges defense attorneys in Mercer County, NJ. The team at The Scardella Law Firm fully understands the nuances of multiple DUI cases and has more than a decade of experience defending clients charged with repeat offenses.
Potential Penalties for Multiple DUIs
The penalties for multiple DUI violations in New Jersey are noticeably more severe than those imposed upon first-time offenders. According to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, they include fines, mandatory community service, imprisonment, license suspension, and potentially a requirement to install an ignition interlock device at your own expense in your vehicle.
Fines for Multiple DUI Offenses
While a first-time offender may be fined anywhere between $250 and $500, depending on their BAC level, you’ll pay fines of $500 to $1,000 if convicted of a second offense in NJ.
For all third and subsequent violations within a 10-year period, the fine for a DUI conviction is $1,000.
Keep in mind the fines imposed as part of your sentence, if convicted, represent only one part of the direct financial ramifications of DUI violations, which can include:
- Fees
- Surcharges
- Costs of installing ignition interlock devices
- Substantial increases in insurance premiums
The financial consequences of multiple DUI charges can be significant. It’s in your best interests to take proactive action to potentially avoid or reduce these and other penalties through the skilled representation of multiple offense DUI charges defense attorneys in Mercer County, NJ.
Community Service
Court-ordered community service for a period of 30 days is one of the penalties imposed under state law for a second DUI violation. For third and subsequent offenses, the term of court-ordered community service may increase to up to 90 days.
Prison Sentences for Repeat DUIs
You can go to prison for a DUI in New Jersey, especially if you have a history of prior DUI violations. While first-time offenders are generally sentenced to 12 to 48 hours of detainment, they may, at the court’s discretion, face up to 30 days of imprisonment.
For second DUI violations, imprisonment is no longer a possibility but a certainty if convicted. A second DUI offense will send you to prison for a minimum of 48 consecutive hours and potentially as long as 90 days.
Third and subsequent DUI convictions can result in 180 days of imprisonment, although up to 90 of those days could be served in an approved substance use disorder inpatient rehabilitation program.
Your best hope for avoiding or reducing prison time for repeated offenses is with the assistance of experienced Trenton multiple DUI lawyers like The Scardella Law Firm. Our team is prepared to raise questions and weaknesses in the case against you and develop the most solid defense possible for your situation.
License Suspension and Ignition Interlock Device Installation
Repeat offenses also increase the length of license forfeiture and may result in the required installation of an ignition interlock device.
A first offender may only lose their license for three months if their BAC was below 0.10% or seven months to one year if their BAC was over 0.10%. License suspension periods increase dramatically with multiple offenses. Second DUI convictions within 10 years can cause you to lose your license for up to two years. A third or subsequent conviction for driving under the influence within 10 years can lead to a 10-year suspension of your license.
NJ also requires repeat DUI offenders to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle during license suspension and for a specified period—between one and three years— following license restoration. Installation of these devices can be costly, and they typically require monthly fees for the duration of their use, amounting to a significant financial burden.
How The Scardella Law Firm Can Help You Fight Multiple DUI Charges
Being charged with a repeat DUI offense isn’t the same as being convicted. Having a team of multiple offense DUI charges defense attorneys in Mercer County, NJ, fighting for you gives you an advantage in several ways.
Preparation of a Personalized Defense Strategy
Several defenses may be used to fight DUI charges in New Jersey. With a background in handling criminal defense cases of all kinds, our Trenton multiple DUI lawyers understand the nuances of DUI charges and the full array of potential defense strategies, such as:
- Challenging the accuracy and reliability of breathalyzer tests, blood tests, and field sobriety tests, including whether the devices used were properly calibrated and maintained and whether the law enforcement officer was properly trained in their use
- Assessing whether the traffic stop leading to your arrest was conducted according to proper procedures, including whether officers had probable cause to stop you and whether any aspect of their conduct constituted a procedural error
- Questioning any inconsistencies or uncertainties pertaining to the handling of the evidence against you
These details unique to your situation can help us develop an informed, customized defense strategy. By getting evidence against you suppressed due to it being unlawfully obtained or simply highlighting the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, we may be able to help you achieve a more positive outcome, such as the dismissal of the charges, offering of a plea deal, or a not-guilty verdict at trial.
Strong Negotiation Skills
Although we exhaust all options for achieving a not-guilty verdict before considering plea deals, our Trenton multiple DUI lawyers can negotiate with prosecutors on your behalf to seek plea deals for less serious charges or lighter sentences. By building a strong case backed by evidence on your behalf and advocating relentlessly for your best interests, we may be able to negotiate outcomes that are more favorable to you.
Continuous Advocacy
Throughout the legal process, we’re on your side. You can count on our multiple offense DUI charges defense attorneys in Mercer County, NJ, to answer all of your questions, advise you on what will happen next, and always put your best interests first throughout all proceedings.
Why Choose The Scardella Law Firm?
Led by Lauren E. Scardella, Esq., our team of Trenton multiple DUI lawyers stands out for our dedication, experience, skills, and deep connection with the Mercer County community.
- We have been committed to defending the rights of the accused in criminal cases of all kinds since 2009.
- Our history of successful results encompasses DWI and DUI cases in which serious charges were dismissed—even for clients with multiple DUI offenses.
- Our skills in mediation and conciliation, as well as building strong legal defense strategies and committed courtroom representation, have been instrumental in obtaining favorable outcomes for our clients.
- As a Mercer County native, Lauren’s ties to New Jersey and the local community are as deep as they are longstanding. Lauren earned her Juris Doctor from Rutgers Law School in Newark and interned at the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office during law school. She also worked in the Criminal Part of the New Jersey Superior Court for Monmouth County in Freehold.
Through the representation we provide clients, we’re able to not only protect their legal rights but also guide them through a difficult, stressful time. Our aim is to minimize the impact of a multiple DUI charge on your future.
Contact the Trenton Multiple DUI Lawyers at The Scardella Law Firm Today for a Free Consultation
Don’t settle for anything less than exceptional legal representation provided by knowledgeable Trenton multiple DUI lawyers. We’re prepared to craft a personalized defense strategy and advocate zealously for you at every step of your legal matter.
For help from repeat DUI offense attorneys in Trenton, NJ, contact The Scardella Law Firm online or call us today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Multiple DUI Charges in Trenton
Multiple DUI convictions can lead to fines of up to $1,000 each, 180 days of jail time, and potentially years of license suspension, among other penalties. Being convicted of a DUI when you already have prior convictions can also affect your professional and personal life in numerous ways, especially if you work in an occupation that requires professional licensure or a security clearance.
If you have been charged with a repeat DUI offense, you should take every action possible to minimize the consequences of this charge on your life, starting with hiring a multiple DUI lawyer at The Scardella Law Firm to fight for you.
DUI violations, even repeat offenses, are generally not considered felonies or indictable offenses on their own in New Jersey. Rather, they are typically charged as serious traffic violations, even though a conviction of this offense can lead to jail time.
However, in certain situations, such as driving under the influence with a child in your car or seriously injuring or killing someone in a DUI accident, you may be facing either misdemeanor or felony charges.
Regardless of the type of charge, a DUI violation is a serious legal matter with potentially life-altering consequences. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you don’t need an attorney just because the charges you’re facing aren’t felonies. Your future, your freedom, and your financial security are still at risk.
It’s possible to be charged and even convicted of DUI without a breathalyzer test in New Jersey. The prosecution may be able to present other types of evidence in their case against you. It’s important to retain qualified legal counsel to defend you against multiple DUI charges, even if you didn’t take a breathalyzer test.
A DUI conviction can’t be expunged because DUIs are generally classified as traffic offenses rather than crimes in New Jersey. That said, a knowledgeable DUI attorney may be able to help you explore options such as filing for post-conviction relief.
If your charges are still pending, speaking to an experienced multiple DUI attorney as soon as possible may help you avoid the DUI conviction in the first place.
Since The Scardella Law Firm offers free consultations, you have nothing to lose by speaking with a seasoned DUI attorney about your options.
