An individual can get into serious trouble if they, prior to being restored for DWI, drive while suspended in Branchburg, Franklin Township, Hillsborough, Warren, or Clinton. The law imposes extreme consequences for those arrested for driving during a period of suspension for driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. Anyone convicted under N.J.S.A. 39:3-40 for operating a vehicle when suspended for DUI faces jail and an extended revocation of their license. The offense can even mushroom into a fourth degree crime, a felony, where certain circumstances exists. With consequences like these hanging in balance, driving while suspended for DWI warrants representation by an experienced lawyer.
At The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall we offer a staff of 8 defense attorneys, many of whom formerly served as prosecutors, who have been appearing in courts like Raritan, Bridgewater, Bernards, North Plainfield, and Watchung for decades. Contact our Bridgewater Office any time of day or night at 908-722-1011 for a free immediate consultation.
Charged With Driving While Suspended For DWI
Once an individual is convicted of driving while intoxicated under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 they are exposed to a mandatory jail sentence if they are caught driving during the suspension period. N.J.S.A. 39:3-40(f) requires that the court impose a minimum sentence of 10 days in the county jail and as much as 90 days. There is also a wide range of additional suspension that may be ordered if you are found guilty. The minimum period is one year although the court can sentence you as much as two years of additional revocation. A skilled attorney can obviously provide significant benefit in even the worst of cases given the wide range someone can be suspended for upon conviction for this charge.
Driving while suspended during a period of DWI suspension can also result in a fourth degree crime where certain facts exist. The first way this felony charge can arise is where the accused is operating his or her vehicle during a period when they are suspended for a second or subsequent DWI violation. Another scenario where this criminal offense can arise is where the violation represents a second driving while suspended on DWI.
The standard penalties for a fourth degree crime include a fine of up to $7,500 and maximum period of incarceration in state prison of eighteen months. There is a mandatory period of parole ineligibility of 180 days that is imposed when someone is convicted of driving while suspended under either of the aforementioned scenarios. What this means is that you must serve at least six months in jail if lose this type of driving while suspended case.
Contact The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall Today
There is no room for error when it comes to this offense. If you are unable to escape a conviction, you are absolutely going to jail. The lawyer you select to defend you is therefore of significant importance. An attorney who is exceptionally knowledgeable and experienced is obviously going to give you the best chance of success.
The staff of defense lawyers at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is equipped with this pedigree and is ready to fight on your behalf to avoid the penalties that apply to driving while suspended for DWI. Call us now at 908-722-1011 for a free consultation.
