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Expert New Jersey DWI Lawyer Dedicated To Defending You
A DWI conviction can mean losing your driving privileges, and more importantly, your freedom. Your personal and professional life is at stake, so it’s important to put your case in the hands of an attorney with the experience to fight the charges successfully. Attorney Steven Hernandez can identify flaws in the technical evidence that is often used to convict DWI defendants – flaws that can weaken the prosecution’s case against you.
Steven Hernandez does not expect his clients to plead guilty to an offense they did not commit. He is prepared to mount a strong defense to beat a DWI charge and secure your freedom. There is no substitute for experience and training, which is why hundreds of clients have turned to The Hernandez Law Firm for help with their DWI cases. If you are facing DWI charges, take the first step towards protecting your rights by contacting The Hernandez Law Firm as soon as possible.
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Can You Face DWI Charges If Your Bac Was Below The Legal Limit?
The law states that drivers are intoxicated if their blood alcohol content (BAC) level is at or above the legal limit of 0.08%. Many people assume that this means you cannot face DWI charges unless your BAC is at or above the legal limit, but that’s not the case. You can face DWI charges if you are driving while under the influence of any amount of alcohol. It doesn’t matter how much alcohol was consumed, it only matters that it was enough to affect your driving. This means if a law enforcement officer believes you are too intoxicated to safely operate a vehicle, you can be arrested for DWI, even if your BAC is below the legal limit of 0.08%.
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What Happens After A DWI Arrest?
Many people are nervous and scared after being arrested for DWI because they aren’t sure what happens next. For this reason, it’s important to know what to expect after a DWI arrest so you can prepare yourself. The first step in the legal process is the arraignment, which is a court hearing that takes place shortly after your DWI arrest. During this hearing, the judge will read the charges that have been filed against you and provide you with an overview of the penalties you may face. A lot of traffic cases are resolved with plea bargains, but prosecutors are not allowed to offer these deals in DWI cases.
This means you have two choices: plead guilty and accept the full consequences of a DWI conviction or plead not guilty and continue to fight for your freedom. It’s possible that your charges will be dismissed before your case makes it to trial. However, this typically only occurs when there is an issue with the prosecution’s evidence that has severely weakened the case. The judge presiding over your case will determine your fate after both sides have had an opportunity to present their evidence. Don’t go through this complex legal process alone. Let experienced New Jersey DWI Lawyer Steven Hernandez help.
Meet The Attorney
New Jersey DWI defense lawyer
Steven W. Hernandez is a respected New Jersey DWI defense lawyer, criminal defense attorney, and nationally recognized teacher and speaker. He is certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Municipal Court Trial Lawyer and is a Board-Certified DUI Attorney through the National College for DUI Defense, where he also serves on the faculty.
Attorney Hernandez brings a unique advantage to DWI cases—he doesn’t rely on outside experts because he is the expert. He’s a certified field sobriety test instructor and an Alcotest 7110 breathalyzer operator. He has also completed over 120 hours of forensic training in blood and urine analysis through a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) overview program.
Admitted to practice in New Jersey State Courts, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, and the United States Supreme Court, Steven W. Hernandez is committed to helping clients protect their freedom and future.
How Can A New Jersey DWI Attorney Help?
Hiring the right DWI attorney can have a major impact on the outcome of your case. An attorney will immediately begin to review the details of your case to look for potential weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence. Did law enforcement officers follow the proper protocol when conducting chemical tests and storing samples? Did they have a valid reason to pull you over in the first place? Are the chemical test results reliable? If not, an attorney can bring these issues to light, which may lead to a dismissal of the charges. These are just a few of the many ways that an attorney can fight DWI charges on your behalf.
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Is DWI A Criminal Charge In New Jersey?
In New Jersey, DWI is classified as a traffic offense, but DWI charges carry serious penalties. Not every offender, however, faces a license suspension. A suspension isn’t required for first-time offenders arrested with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level below 0.15% – if the driver promptly installs an ignition interlock advice (IID) in his or her personal vehicle. Other possible penalties for a DWI conviction include community service, fines, and in some cases, time in jail.
You can also face DWI charges if you drive under the influence of any intoxicating drug – whether that drug is illegal, prescribed, or over-the-counter. The type of drug does not matter – what matters is that you are impaired and unable to operate a vehicle safely. If you’re convicted of a drug-related DWI, you’ll face a 7-to-12-month license suspension, up to 30 days in jail, and fines and surcharges surpassing $3,500. A second conviction is punishable with from 2 to 90 days in jail and a 2-year driver’s license suspension along with higher fines and surcharges.
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Posted on September 1, 2024
What Does the Law Say About Blood Tests During a DWI Stop in New Jersey? New Jersey has strict laws […]
Posted on August 1, 2024
What is Underage DUI? The legal drinking age is 21 in most jurisdictions. Young drivers under this age can be […]
Posted on July 3, 2024
What Can I Expect If It’s My First Time DUI Offense in New Jersey? First, you must note that in […]
Posted on June 10, 2024
Ways Your Attorney Can Help You Fight Vehicular Homicide Charges If you are facing a DWI charge in New Jersey, […]
Posted on May 15, 2024
Can You Be Charged With DUI Related to Marijuana in New Jersey? While the terms DWI or DUI often make […]
What Happens When You Get A DWI In New Jersey?
Many DWI offenders think they will get off easy if it is their first offense, but that’s not always the case. First-time offenders can face hundreds of dollars in fines, up to 30 days in jail, and the mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) in the offender’s vehicle. Penalties are more severe for first-time offenders who had a BAC at 0.10% or higher at the time of their arrest. These offenders face a longer mandatory IID requirement, a higher fine, and possible jail time. First-timers will also see a spike in their auto insurance rates following their arrest. The State of New Jersey does not take DWI lightly – even if you are a first-time offender.