(732) 582-5076Fighting to Secure Favorable Outcomes on Behalf of Our Clients
If you ever find yourself in Edison Municipal Court accused of driving under the influence, you may be unsure of how to proceed. The prosecution will try to convince you that a conviction is unavoidable, and when faced with the potential for increased penalties, you may be tempted to believe them. However, the reality is that prosecutors will often exaggerate the strength of their cases. Their goal is to secure a conviction without going to trial, but if you’re facing drunk driving offenses, such outcomes can be devastating. Fortunately, an Edison, NJ DUI lawyer may be able to help.
At The Hernandez Law Firm, P.C., you’ll have an experienced DUI attorney on your side who will advocate tirelessly for your freedom. Perhaps this is the first time you’ve ever been arrested, or maybe you’re facing increased sentencing for a third or subsequent offense. Whatever the case, a visit to our law office may be the exact decision that helps you avoid severe penalties. Put simply, you don’t have to go through these difficulties alone. Contact our law firm today to schedule your free consultation with an experienced DWI lawyer in Edison, New Jersey.
How Can Experienced DUI Defense Lawyers in Edison Help?
When someone is arrested, they typically have one of two mindsets. There are those who are certain that a conviction is unavoidable, and then there are those who are certain the prosecution’s case is so weak that there’s no way a conviction will occur. Any experienced DWI attorney can tell you that both these assumptions are typically wrong. Unfortunately, both may also make a person believe that they don’t need an attorney. They either think that they can accept a plea deal and get the same outcome as a lawyer, or they think the evidence is so in their favor that they don’t need legal representation.
Those who assume they’ll be convicted of a DUI charge need to realize that there are many potential defenses to a DWI charge in New Jersey. Even if you allegedly failed a breath test and field sobriety test, there are various strategies that can still secure a not-guilty verdict or the dismissal of charges. For those who believe they can beat DWI charges on their own, the conclusion of their case is often a disheartening surprise. In most instances, the assumption that the prosecution doesn’t have enough evidence to convict is based on a misunderstanding of the law.
In either of these instances, the outcome will likely be a conviction that may have been avoidable. This is why it’s so critical to speak with an Edison DWI attorney before making any major decisions. Contact The Hernandez Law Firm today for a free initial consultation.
What Are Potential Penalties for DUI in New Jersey?
Even if the evidence against you seems overwhelming, understanding your legal options is critical. That’s because there are extremely serious consequences for a DWI conviction. This is true even for a first offense. Unfortunately, potential penalties are often far worse than most people expect. While nearly everyone knows that a license suspension and fines are likely outcomes, they fail to realize that such consequences are just the tip of the legal iceberg. A skilled DUI lawyer in Edison can help you understand what you’re up against, but it often includes the following:
- Fines and fees which can reach into the thousands
- Mandatory court fees and surcharges
- License suspension
- Payment and installation of Ignition Interlock Device (IID)
- Jail time
- Alcohol education classes
- Probation
- Community service
- Increased insurance premiums
- Travel restrictions
- Vehicle impoundment
All these sentencing options are available to the courts, and this is typically true even on a first offense. However, it’s important to note that penalties increase for a second offense or any subsequent convictions. Additionally, potential outcomes could increase substantially if there are any aggravating circumstances or related offenses. This is why you need to seek out an Edison DUI attorney who has your best interests in mind. That’s exactly what you’ll find at The Hernandez Law Firm. Contact us today to discuss your case. We’ll help you decide the right path forward.
Is a Plea Deal the Right Decision?
One of the primary reasons people choose to forgo Edison DWI lawyers is the belief that conviction is unavoidable. In these instances, the defendant might assume that a plea deal is in their best interest. After all, the prosecutor is likely to threaten more serious charges and penalties if the accused doesn’t accept a deal. The reality is that plea negotiations are an integral aspect of both alcohol and drug DUI charges — but that doesn’t mean you should immediately accept a deal. In many cases, the prosecution wants a deal because their case is weaker than they’ll admit.
Edison DWI defense lawyers can review your case and help you understand all your options. In some instances, a plea deal will be the right decision — but your attorney may be able to negotiate a better outcome on your behalf. Of course, there are many people accused of impaired driving who never face conviction. That’s because they choose to fight back and work with experienced legal representation. While it may seem like the prosecutor has you “dead to rights,” there are actually a wide variety of potential legal defenses used by criminal defense lawyers in Edison Township.
What Strategies Do DUI Defense Attorneys Use?
If a person accepts a plea deal or is found guilty of driving under the influence, the consequences they’ll face could literally change their lives forever. However, it’s vital that you remember that this is not necessarily a foregone conclusion. Even if the government claims you failed standardized field sobriety testing — or maybe they say your breathalyzer or blood test is conclusive — this does not mean you’re guilty under the law. Just consider some of the most common DWI defense strategies utilized by attorneys:
- Lack of officer training for field sobriety tests
- Faulty or uncalibrated breathalyzer machinery
- Rising blood alcohol content defense
- Improper or illegal traffic stop
- Illegal checkpoint
- Contaminated blood samples and other evidentiary issues
- Lack of probable cause
- Constitutional violations
- Medical or health conditions
- Inadequate maintenance of testing equipment
Maybe you’ve never been accused of a crime before, or maybe this is your third offense. Regardless of the underlying circumstances of your case, you are entitled to a knowledgeable and effective legal defense. Unfortunately, many people don’t seek the help of experienced Edison DWI lawyers before making life-changing decisions. Some simply accept what the government wants, and some choose to deal with overworked public defenders. Both these decisions can have serious ramifications.
Fortunately, there are other options. At The Hernandez Law Firm, we’ll work hard to secure a favorable outcome on your behalf — and we’ll fight relentlessly to ensure the government doesn’t take advantage of you.
Contact an Experienced Edison DUI Lawyer today
Facing an Edison DWI charge is never a positive experience. Even for those who are completely innocent of the crime they’re charged with, prosecutors will make their lives incredibly difficult. This is particularly true for those who try to fight back without the assistance of New Jersey DWI lawyers. The reality is that the prosecution expects a speedy outcome, and when someone refuses to give up their rights, the government will typically come down on them even harder. Fortunately, this is not a fight you have to take on alone. Legal help is available in Middlesex County.
At The Hernandez Law Firm, P.C., our dedicated team of legal professionals is here to help in any way we can. Even if the state claims that your blood alcohol content exceeded the legal range, you’re entitled to an aggressive legal defense. While many law offices will try to reach a resolution in the quickest way possible — sometimes accepting unfair plea deals to speed things up — our firm is more focused on securing a favorable outcome on your behalf. You need an experienced attorney on your side, and that’s precisely what we offer.
Contact us at (732) 582-5076 to schedule your free consultation. Our Edison DUI lawyer will review your case and help you understand all your options.