A drunk driving arrest can happen to anyone. If you are having drinks with friends in Hoboken, watching a basketball game in Newark or out to dinner with friends in the city, it is easy to have one drink too many.
If that extra drink is the one that puts you above the legal limit in New Jersey and you are pulled over, the potential consequences can be devastating. You need a skilled and aggressive attorney to defend you from driving under the influence (DUI) charges. At Feeley & Sayegh LLC, you will receive the dedicated service and zealous representation you need.
Protect your rights. Call 973-821-4393 or 888-808-2798 or contact a Newark-area DUI/DWI lawyer online to discuss your DUI case. Attorney James J. Sayegh is an aggressive, intelligent and attentive criminal defense lawyer.
What Should I Do After I Have Been Pulled Over?
If you have been pulled over by the police, you should:
- Cooperate with the police officer. Be polite and do not argue.
- Do not make admissions. You have the right to remain silent.
- The less you say, the better. The police officer will be observing the smell of your breath and listening for slurred speech.
- Try not to move around too much. The police officer will be observing your movements for signs of intoxication, such as swaying, falling over or leaning against the car.
- Do not refuse a breath test. You do not have the right to refuse to submit to a breath test. You will be charged with refusal, which can sometimes be worse than an actual DUI/DWI charge.
- Once you are released, contact attorney James J. Sayegh. He is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for you.
Essex County Drunk Driving Defense Lawyer
The penalties for a DUI can have an enormous impact on your life and can vary greatly depending on your criminal record and the severity of the offense. Penalties can include:
- First-time DWI or DUI — You are looking at a potential of 30 days in jail, significant fines, loss of your driver's license for one year and a DMV surcharge of $1,000 a year for three years.
- Second offense — You will be facing 45 to 90 days in jail. There is also a $1,000 fine, two-year license suspension and a DMV surcharge of $1,000 a year for three years.
- Third or subsequent DUI — You are facing 180 days in jail, a loss of your driving privileges for 10 years, a $1,000 fine and a DMV surcharge of $1,500 per year for three years.
- College students and others under 21 — You don't need a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over .08 to be arrested for a DUI if you are under 21. If your BAC was .01 or higher when you were stopped by the police, you could be facing 30 to 90 days' license suspension, 15 to 30 days of community service and participation in an alcohol awareness program. If your BAC was above .08, the fines and penalties will be the same as if you were over 21 years of age.
- Drunk driving in a school zone — If you were arrested for a DUI in a school zone, the fines and penalties imposed above will be increased dramatically. The period of license suspension for a first or repeat offense will be doubled in each case. For example, for a third DUI with a school sentence enhancement, you will lose your license for 20 years.
Learn more information on the DUI/drunk driving FAQ page, DUI - field sobriety and scientific evidence page and the breath test refusal page.
Retain a Skilled and Resourceful DUI Defense Lawyer
Hire a DUI defense lawyer who is committed to providing your case with the attention it requires and deserves. Attorney James J. Sayegh will help you understand your legal rights, your legal options, and how he can vigorously, intelligently and skillfully resolve your legal matter.
When you need a lawyer who will fight for you and put your interests first, call 973-821-4393, toll free at 888-808-2798, or contact a Clifton drunk driving defense attorney online.
