Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense in the state of New Jersey. The consequences of a guilty verdict could turn your world upside down for the foreseeable future. Do not let this experience permanently alter the course of your life. Our Princeton DUI lawyer at Jenna Casper Bloom can help you through this difficult time.
With a powerful criminal defense attorney, you can get the charges against you dismissed or reduced to a less serious offense to get back to your life. Contact our team to request a confidential consultation today. When you do, we can discuss the potential penalties you could be facing, which defenses are most likely to return a favorable outcome.
Princeton, New Jersey DUIs
It is not uncommon for Princeton residents to require the legal guidance and support of a highly qualified DUI lawyer. Criminal defense lawyer Casper Bloom has handled hundreds of DUI cases over the years and works tirelessly to help clients avoid some of the devastating criminal consequences of a conviction. Part of the reason why we see so many DUI cases in Princeton is because Princeton is considered a college town.
Home to Princeton University, the Princeton Police Department make arrests on suspicion of DUI and conduct DUI checkpoints often. It is important to take charge of your future when your freedom is on the line. DUI may not be the most severe crime you can be charged with in New Jersey, but the impact of a conviction could have serious ramifications on nearly every aspect of your life. Fortunately, our criminal defense lawyer at Casper Bloom Law will stop at nothing to help you challenge the DUI allegations.
When You Can Face DUI Charges in Princeton
Driving under the influence is also commonly known as driving while intoxicated or impaired (DWI). However, under N.J.S.A. § 39:4-50, you can be charged with a DUI anytime you are accused of operating a motor vehicle when your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels reach or exceed .08%. You can also face DUI charges if you are driving while impaired in any way. Individuals under the influence of prescription medications, hallucinogens, and narcotics can also face DUI charges in Princeton.
Minors or anyone under the age of 21 who has any amount of alcohol in their system can be charged with a DUI. If your BAC levels reach or exceed .01%, you could be arrested on drunk driving charges or underage DUI since New Jersey follows zero-tolerance laws for underage drinking and driving. Additionally, if you hold a commercial driver’s license, you can be charged with drunk driving if your BAC levels reach or exceed .04%. Our DUI attorney will help you understand the charges against you and the penalties you face so you can prepare accordingly. Once you understand the severity of these allegations, you can make educated and informed decisions about how to best approach your defense strategy.
Charges Related to Princeton DUIs
Do not be surprised if you are charged with more than one offense after being accused of driving under the influence or impaired. Prosecutors are known for piling on the charges in the hopes of increasing penalties and securing convictions. Your DUI attorney at Jenna Casper Bloom has considerable experience handling a wide variety of offenses related to DUI in Princeton. Some of the most common related charges we see include:
Open Container
According to N.J.S.A. § 39:4-51, open alcoholic containers must be locked in the trunk of a vehicle or inaccessible by anyone in the driver or passenger seat of a motor vehicle. This means motorists and passengers alike are prohibited from consuming alcohol while a vehicle is moving. If you are arrested on suspicion of a DUI, it is likely open container charges will apply if law enforcement officials find an open alcohol container in your vehicle. Our DWI lawyers may be able to get this evidence dismissed if police violate your constitutional rights or conduct an unlawful search and seizure at the time of your arrest.
Reckless Driving
Your DWI lawyer will also be prepared to help defend you against reckless driving charges. According to N.J.S.A. § 39:4-96, you can be charged with the crime of reckless driving if you operate a motor vehicle with complete disregard for the safety and rights of others. For reckless driving charges to apply, your driving must have endangered or potentially endangered others or their property. Working with the prosecutor, we could get reckless driving charges reduced to the lesser offense of careless driving which carries lesser penalties if convicted.
Refusing to Submit to a Breath Test
All motorists are assumed to have given their implied consent to breath testing upon suspicion of intoxicated or impaired driving. New Jersey’s implied consent laws under N.J.S.A. § 39:4-50.2 means your driver’s license will be suspended for seven months. If you refuse to give your consent to a breath test a second time, your driver’s license will be revoked for two years.
Subsequent offenses could result in a 10-year driver’s license revocation. Our DWI attorneys recommend you agree to the breath test as requested by law enforcement officials. There is no guarantee that law enforcement officials will calibrate the breathalyzer accurately or the test will be administered properly. This gives us an opportunity to challenge the breath test results and potentially get them deemed inadmissible at trial.
Criminal Penalties for being found guilty of a DUI in Princeton
DUI charges are not to be taken lightly. Although first-time offenders may not face penalties as serious as habitual DUI offenders, the consequences of being found guilty of a DWI could be felt for the rest of your life. Your DWI attorney will ensure you understand the implications of a conviction as we begin working on potential defenses to the charges against you.
First Offense DUI
Our Princeton DUI lawyers represent many first-time DUI offenders. Some of the most common penalties for a first-offense DUI include:
- Up to $400 in fines
- A maximum of 30 days in jail
- Up to 48 hours of Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) counseling
- A 90-day driver’s license suspension
- A $1,000 surcharge annually for up to three years
Second DUI Offense
You will need the legal advice and experience of a Princeton DUI lawyer if you are charged with a second offense of DWI. The potential consequences include:
- Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) for up to three years
- As much as 90 days in jail
- Fines of up to $1,000
- A two-year driver’s license suspension
- Up to 30 days of community service
- A three-year $1,000 annual surcharge
Third or Subsequent DUI Offenses
Third and subsequent DUI offenses are serious. Our Princeton DUI attorneys could help you plan for the following consequences if you are found guilty:
- Surcharges increased to $1,500 annually for up to three years
- 48 hours of IDRC counseling up to $1,000 in fines
- As much as six months in jail
- A 10 year license revocation
- Installation of an IID for as much as three years
- $1,000 in fines
Collateral Consequences of a Princeton DWI
The criminal penalties of a DUI conviction are not the only issue that should worry you. The collateral consequences are often far more impactful. Working with our Princeton DWI lawyer may be the best way to help get your life back on track and avoid some of the harsher collateral penalties, including:
- Loss of job opportunities
- Demotion or termination
- Military service issues
- Immigration or citizenship troubles
- Loss of your professional license
- Expulsion from your college university or graduate program
- Trouble finding job opportunities
- Damage to your personal or professional reputation
- Child custody or visitation issues
What to Expect After Your Princeton DWI Arrest
The aftermath of a DUI can be overwhelming. Your Princeton DWI lawyer will ensure you understand what to expect immediately following your arrest. Although every person’s case is different, live force and officials generally follow the same procedure for every DUI or suspected DUI.
At your initial traffic stop, police may suspect you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol if you have red eyes, they smell alcohol on your breath, your speech is slurred, or you were driving erratically. The police may request that you complete a field sobriety test to determine your level of impairment. Law enforcement officials believe you are intoxicated or impaired. You will be arrested. At this point, you will be taken to the police station where you will be asked to submit to a chemical blood or urine test that establishes your BAC levels and will be used as evidence against you at trial.
The law enforcement agency that arrests you will determine where you are taken into custody. For example, if you are arrested by the Princeton Police Department, you will likely be taken to the Princeton Police Department station at 1 Valley Road. However, if you are picked up by the New Jersey State Police, you will be transported to their local barracks. After processing, you will be able to contact our Princeton DWI lawyer to get the representation you need. After reviewing the individual details of your case we will determine your next steps and start preparing the strongest defense possible.
Your Hearing in Municipal Court
After your arrest, your DUI will be sent to the New Jersey municipal courts, which have jurisdiction over DUI charges in Princeton. Our Princeton DWI attorney will meet you at the Municipal Court Witherspoon Street location or virtually for your initial hearing. This is typically where bail will be determined and you will enter your plea. At the first appearance, the judge will inform you of the charges against you, the penalties you will be subjected to if convicted, and your rights. At this point, depending on the circumstances of your case, a new court date will be set.
How to Defend Yourself and Protect Your Future
Your Princeton DWI attorney will carefully examine the evidence the prose has against you to determine how to approach your defense. In some instances, entering a pre-trial intervention program is in your best interest. By working out a plea agreement, you can get the DUI charges against you dismissed after completing the terms of your pre-trial intervention program or have the more serious charges reduced to a lesser offense.
However, we will also be ready to advocate for your rights and defend you at trial if the prosecutor is unwilling to work with you to enter a plea agreement. Some of the most common defenses used in DUI cases include:
- Unlawful stop
- Illegal search and seizure
- Lack of probable cause
- Police misconduct
- Breathalyzer calibration issues
- Lab mistakes
- Constitutional rights violations
- Prosecutorial misconduct
- Having a relevant medical condition
Our Reputable Princeton DUI Lawyers Work to Clear Your Name of the DUI Allegations Against You
In nearly 20 years of legal representation, our team at Casper Bloom Law has successfully handled hundreds of DUI cases. Unlike public defenders who are overworked and unable to give your case the attention it deserves, your DUI attorney at our firm will be devoted to your defense. We have the skills, experience, and resources to win.
Whether we can work out a plea agreement with the prosecutor to reduce your DUI charges to less serious events or need to present a powerful defense strategy at trial, you can rely on Criminal Defense Attorney Jenna Casper Bloom to help you get through some of the most difficult times in your life.
Get Help from an Aggressive Princeton DUI Attorney Today
Your DUI charges do not need to define you. When you dodge being found guilty, you can put this devastating experience behind you and start to move forward with your life without having to worry about the harsh collateral consequences. Get help determining which defenses are most suitable for your case.
Connect with a top-rated Princeton DUI lawyer at Casper Bloom Law today. Our firm is proud to offer confidential defense strategy sessions across Princeton, Flemington, Trenton, and surrounding communities. Claim yours by completing our secured contact form or calling our office today.
