Perhaps you were driving home after a night out with friends, or maybe you had a few beers at home while watching television. You hop behind the wheel to head home or run a quick errand, and next thing you know, you see flashing flights behind you. You know that a drunk driving arrest and DUI or DWI charge in New Jersey is serious, but what’s going to happen now?
A suspected DUI traffic stop is scary, and any criminal charge against you is a threat to your future. It’s important to fight back, but where should you start? How can you start the process of building a strong defense? The place you may want to begin is learning more about what to expect after a DUI and the potential consequences that may affect your life.
Possible consequences of a drunk driving arrest
A DUI or DWI is more than just an inconvenience. It’s a direct threat to your future, freedom and long-term interests. Some of the ways this type of criminal charge can affect your life include the following:
- First, law enforcement will place you under arrest if they have grounds to do so after pulling you over. They will take you to the station, book you and take your mugshot picture.
- You will have to go to court for a hearing regarding your case. The court will tell you when this will happen. You will have to enter in a plea about your case in a public setting.
- You will lose your license, which affects your ability to get to work, drive your kids to soccer practice and go to school. You may be able to get restricted privileges, but that is not a guarantee.
- You may have to pay expensive fines, even if you cannot afford it, and in some cases, you may even have to spend time behind bars.
- A conviction will be a permanent mark on your criminal record. This will affect future employment opportunities, education and more.
As you can see, even an arrest can result in serious penalties that will impact multiple areas of your life. You have the right to seek legal guidance from the earliest point after an arrest, and there is great benefit in getting necessary support as soon as you can. It is often possible to fight back against DWI or DUI charges, avoid a conviction and keep a blemish off your criminal record.
