What to Expect After a First Time Drunk Driving Charge in New Jersey

• Dan T. Matrafajlo
• Tue May 2024
• DWI,
• 0

Being arrested for drunk driving for the first can be a scary experience. You may have thought you were ok to get behind the wheel after having some alcoholic beverages. You may understandably be worried about how a potential driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) conviction can impact your life.

Fortunately, a single mistake does not have to impact your future. You should know what to expect when pulled over on the suspicion of drunk driving, what you should do during the stop, and what steps you should take immediately after to help protect your legal rights and even potentially avoid a conviction. The most important step you should take is to hire an experienced New Jersey DWI attorney. Below is some more useful information.

What to Expect When Pulled Over

You may be pulled over by law enforcement if they suspect that you were under the influence, or you may be pulled over for an unrelated traffic violation. You may also get stopped at DUI checkpoint where officers can pull over certain cars to check for signs of intoxication for the driver.

If you are the officer suspects that you are intoxicated, they may administer a field sobriety test or a breathalyzer. You can be arrested and transported to the police station if the officer has probable cause to believe you are intoxicated.

What to Expect at the Police Station

At the police station, you may be directed to submit another breathalyzer test that is generally more sensitive than the ones provided at the scene. You may also be directed to submit a blood and/or urine sample to test for drugs or alcohol. Refusing to submit these tests is not a crime, but you are by law deemed to have given implied consent to submit these tests by having a valid driver’s license. As such, the simple refusal to take the tests may lead to a summons and suspension of your driving privileges.

What to Expect After Your Arrest

Once you have been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, the law enforcement agency will issue you a ticket for the DWI offense and for any other traffic violations you may have committed. The ticket will have information about your court date for the arraignment on the DWI charges. At this point, you should call an experienced New Jersey DWI defense attorney, especially if you already did not do so while at the police station.

At the arraignment, the court will formally advise you of the charges against you, explain your rights, and ask how you will be plead (guilty, not guilty, or no contest).

Call a DWI Attorney in New Jersey

If you or someone you know has been issued a DWI citation or arrested for drunk driving in New Jersey, an experienced attorney can help. Call Beninato & Matrafajlo Attorneys at Law, LLC at 908-248-4404 to schedule a free consultation with our legal team today.