(732) 582-5076Fighting to Secure Favorable Outcomes on Behalf of Our Clients
Being pulled over by police officers can ruin an otherwise perfect day. However, individuals who are suspected of impaired driving will have much more than a bad day. In fact, the repercussions under criminal law could follow them for years. Drunk driving charges can result in serious fines, probation, license suspension, jail time, and more. Fortunately, there are various DWI defense strategies that may help you avoid such outcomes — but every case is different and must be viewed from an individual perspective. A DUI lawyer in Middletown, New Jersey may be able to help.
At The Hernandez Law Firm, P.C., we understand that you have a lot of options when it comes to criminal defense attorneys in Monmouth County. However, we also know that too many of these lawyers take the simple way out by accepting an unfair plea deal. When you’re charged with impaired driving in Middletown, NJ, it’s important to understand all your options. While plea arrangements may be appropriate, they’re never the right move when it’s possible to have charges dropped or overturned by a jury at trial. Contact our law offices today for a free consultation.
Should You Engage in Plea Bargaining?
Many people are surprised to learn that most criminal convictions do not stem from losses at trial. In fact, well over 90% of all criminal cases are resolved by plea negotiations. After a DWI arrest, the prosecutor will likely offer to be lenient on you if you accept a plea deal. However, this leniency is a mirage. Often, the state will overcharge defendants as a bargaining tactic to increase the chances of the defendant accepting a deal. Unfortunately, these unfair deals are rarely beneficial to individuals charged with a DUI offense.
In fact, agreeing to a plea deal will likely still result in the loss of your driving privileges, extensive fines, installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID), substance abuse treatment classes, and other consequences you’d expect from a conviction. So, should you engage in plea bargaining with a prosecutor in municipal court? While this might seem like something you should avoid, the reality is that such negotiations are appropriate in some situations. A DWI defense lawyer in Middletown, NJ can help you decide the right approach to your case.
At The Hernandez Law Firm, we’ll review the prosecution’s case against you and help build a solid legal strategy. DUI charges have serious consequences, but our goal will always be to have charges dropped or dismissed. When this isn’t possible, you still want an experienced attorney on your side who can fight for the best possible deal during plea negotiations. Our law firm will advocate relentlessly on your behalf to secure the outcome you deserve. Contact us today for your free initial consultation.
What Are the Penalties for a DUI Offense in New Jersey?
When someone walks into our law offices after being charged with impaired driving, their first question typically relates to potential consequences. It’s likely that the prosecutor scared them into thinking that a conviction was inevitable. They’ve probably also been told the most serious potential consequences of a conviction. The reality is that much of what they’ve been told — at least about potential penalties — has some nugget of truth in it.
These are just a few of the outcomes you might expect if convicted:
- Fines and fees
- Court costs
- License suspension
- Raised insurance rates
- Ignition Interlock Device installation
- Alcohol education classes
- Jail time
- Community service
- Travel restrictions
- Civil liability
- Vehicle impoundment
Remember, potential penalties for DUI charges in Middletown, New Jersey will vary tremendously depending on the circumstances of your case. Two people may be arrested for the exact same crime and have the exact same blood alcohol content, but due to circumstances often beyond their control, the two cases can have very different outcomes. At The Hernandez Law Firm, our Middletown DWI attorney will work hard to ensure your outcome is a favorable one.
Contact us today for your free case review.
How Can Middletown DUI Defense Lawyers Assist?
When a person is facing DWI charges in Monmouth County, they may question whether they need a criminal lawyer. In many instances, this question stems from either an absolute belief in their guilt or an absolute belief in their innocence. Some people believe that a conviction is inevitable. They look at the evidence against them — such as a high blood alcohol content (BAC) — and assume conviction is unavoidable. Still others believe that the evidence against them is so faulty that no jury would convict. In both these situations, a person might choose to forgo hiring Middletown DUI defense lawyers.
Unfortunately, this can be a terrible mistake. Those who believe conviction is inevitable may end up needlessly losing their driver’s license and facing other criminal penalties. Even if police officers claim you failed a field sobriety and blood alcohol test, the reality is that there’s no such thing as an “open and shut” case. An experienced attorney in Monmouth County can review the allegations against you to identify problems in the government’s case. Even if evidence from local authorities or the New Jersey State Police proves you were impaired, it may still be possible to avoid conviction.
Those who believe they can beat the criminal charge against them on their own are typically in for an even ruder awakening. Prosecutors in Middletown Township and the surrounding area may not engage fairly in plea negotiations, but if you make them take you to trial, they’ll likely fight for far more serious consequences. The simple fact is that the deck is stacked against defendants in DWI cases. The court will immediately defer to the word of arresting police officers and potentially defective testing. This could result in mandatory jail time and other difficulties, so don’t risk your freedom by going it alone.
Contact The Hernandez Law Firm today.
What Aggravating Factors Could Affect Your Case?
If you’re lucky, the DWI case against you will be basic and straightforward. The prosecution will claim you drove while impaired, and your Middletown DUI defense attorney will argue that a conviction is inappropriate. Unfortunately, matters can become more complicated when aggravating factors are involved. These are issues that make criminal charges more serious under the law. For instance, repeat offenders will often face more severe punishments if convicted. Certain acts can also be seen as additional crimes — such as facing aggravated assault charges for causing a collision.
There are many acts and outcomes that may be viewed as aggravating factors in Monmouth County DWI cases:
- Extremely high blood alcohol content
- Driving with a minor passenger in the vehicle
- Repeat offenses
- Causing a motor vehicle accident or injuries
- Driving with a suspended license
- Refusal to submit to testing
- School zone violations
- Excessive speeding or reckless driving
- Open containers of alcohol in the vehicle
- Other violations (e.g., fleeing, resisting arrest)
No criminal offense should be taken lightly, but when alleged aggravating factors are involved, a mandatory license suspension might be the least of your concerns. If you’re unable to establish reasonable doubt or otherwise beat the charges against you, you might find yourself facing penalties far worse than those laid out for impaired driving. That’s why it’s critical to meet with criminal defense lawyers prior to making any major decisions. Whether you find yourself in Middletown Municipal Court or another venue in the area, the simple fact is that the entire state is against you.
You need an experienced legal advocate who has your back. Contact our law office today to schedule your free case evaluation. We’re here to help.
How Can You Fight a DWI Charge in Monmouth County?
Securing a favorable outcome in a Middletown DWI case can be an uphill battle. Those who are found guilty — even for a first offense DUI — can find their entire lives upended. Even if you’re able to avoid jail time, the inability to operate motor vehicles can be insanely disruptive. And for those who can find a way to overcome such difficulties, a criminal record can affect their ability to secure employment, housing, and even an education for years to come. So, how can you fight a DWI conviction in Middletown, NJ today? There are plenty of potential legal defenses:
- Improper arrest procedures
- Faulty blood alcohol content analysis
- Field sobriety testing problems
- Rising BAC defense
- Constitutional violations
- Medical and health conditions affecting BAC
- Illegal stops or checkpoints
- Physical conditions affecting field sobriety tests
- Lack of evidence
Clearly, there are plenty of opportunities to avoid a DUI conviction in Middletown, NJ. However, it’s important to understand what you’re up against. If you polled every professional in the National Trial Lawyers Association, you would be told unanimously that these legal strategies are not “one size fits all.” Claims of defective equipment may result in an immediate dismissal in some situations, but in others, it will do nothing more than annoy the judge and leave the defendant without a solid strategy moving forward. That’s why it’s so important to work with a Middletown DUI defense lawyer.
At The Hernandez Law Firm, we can review your case and identify the right legal strategy. You don’t have to go through this alone. Contact our law offices today for your free consultation.
Contact a Middletown DUI Lawyer Today
If you find yourself facing allegations of impaired driving, it’s easy to overlook the seriousness of your situation. This is particularly true for individuals facing a first offense DWI. After all, the prosecutor will likely tell them that a guilty plea will result in lesser penalties — and if they manage to not get in any additional trouble, their life likely won’t be seriously affected. Unfortunately, this is untrue even in the best of circumstances. A DUI conviction in New Jersey has very real consequences, and even the best possible outcome with these consequences can have life-long repercussions.
At The Hernandez Law Firm, P.C., our Middletown DUI lawyer understands what you’re up against. With offices conveniently located in Toms River, we serve Monmouth County, Middlesex County, and all communities in the surrounding area. Whether you’re facing a first-offense DWI or more serious charges due to aggravating factors, we will review your case and work to secure the best possible outcome in your situation. Drunk driving charges can create serious disruptions in your life, but we’ll fight to help you avoid such difficulties.
Contact us at (732) 582-5076 for your free consultation with an experienced DUI defense attorney in Middletown today.