My boyfriend is charged with DUI here in New Jersey. I know that’s worse but what makes it even worst is that it’s his second time for DUI charges. I don’t know what to do anymore. Can you tell me about penalties for second time offenders of DUI? I know his car insurance rates will balloon. Is there any way that we can perhaps get an affordable DUI insurance?

Len

Trenton, NJ

That’s what I call worse comes to worst. As to your question, the penalty for DUI charges who are second time offenders in New Jersey involves a fine of between $500 and $1,000. That’s not all, there’s also jail time for 30 days and license suspension between 7 months to 12 months.

Moreover, your boyfriend will also be required to get into a intoxicated driver resource center for six hours minimum per day for a period of two consecutive days. And unfortunately, there would be car insurance surcharge amounting to $1000 every year for a period of three years.

To help your boyfriend find affordable DUI insurance here are some things he can do:

• Get DUI insurance from a specialized car insurance company that handles DUI insurance.
• Commute as much as he can so he can lower his annual driving mileage.
• Choose the vehicle your boyfriend drives, he shouldn’t be driving an expensive car.
• Shop for DUI insurance quotes.
• Maintain good driving records.

Now that it’s your boyfriend’s second time to get DUI charges I’m hoping there wouldn’t be a third time. Hope you can help him improve his driving behaviors. Drive safe!

My son hasn’t learned his lesson and got charged for DWI for the second time here in Elizabeth, New Jersey. If he will be convicted, what are the penalties that he would have to face?

Rachel

Elizabeth, NJ

The first thing that you need to do now is to contact a DWI defense lawyer to help your son against his second DWI offense in Elizabeth, New Jersey. An experienced DWI lawyer would represent your son’s interests throughout the course of his DWI case. The DWI lawyer would be able to save your son’s freedom and driver’s license which will be suspended for two years if he gets convicted. At the end of the suspension period, he could make an application to the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission for a license to operate a motor vehicle, which application could be granted at the discretion of the chief administrator.

The other penalty involved for a second DWI offense would a fine of $500 to $1,000. He will also be ordered by the court to perform community service for 30 days and shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a not less than 48 consecutive hours to 90 days, which shall not be suspended or served on probation. He will also be required by the court to install an ignition interlock device or shall have his registration certificate and registration plates revoked for two years.

My brother got arrested for DWI in a school zone in Bayonne, New Jersey. If he gets convicted, are the penalties the same as in a DWI that’s not in a school zone?

Jason

Bayonne, NJ

Being arrested for DWI in a School Zone in the state of New Jersey is a strict liability offense. If your brother gets convicted for DWI in Bayonne, New Jersey and he was arrested in a school zone, his penalties will be harsher. This means that the fines and the length of the driver’s license suspension will be doubled. For a first DWI offense, the license suspension would be one to two years and for second time offense, the license suspension is two to four years; the fines and the jail terms are also doubled.

In general, the “school zone” provisions actually supply credit or provide a significant weight for the prosecution to obtain a DWI conviction. In many DWI cases, the prosecution could drop the “school zone” charge in return for a straight plea to the DWI charge. A motorist charged for DWI could not use the defense that since school was closed, that the area could not be considered a “school zone.” A motorist could be charged for this offense even if he is stopped in the middle of the night and there is no school in session.

You most likely need a New Jersey DWI attorney if…

• if this is the second time you’ve been caught driving while intoxicated, even if you were absolved the last time, then it’s very possible that a NJ DWI lawyer should be on your list of people to hire.
• if you had a very high BAC when you were pulled over–around twice the normal amount which could get you hit with a DWI–then the consequences are much harsher and you really need a lawyer.
• if you had someone under the age of 18 in the car with you when you were pulled over, then the consequences are usually the same as if your BAC is double the legal limit, and so you probably need a lawyer.