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Getting charged with a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) in New Jersey is a serious offense. Your conviction will be accompanied by various penalties including fines, potential jail time, and a loss of your driving privileges. If your license was suspended you are probably eager to get back on the road as soon as possible. After a DUI suspension, many individuals wonder if it is possible to get their license back early through rehabilitation or good deeds. In New Jersey, this is not an option. Reach out to a Mercer County DUI lawyer for more information and representation during your intoxicated driving case.
How Long Will My License Be Suspended After a DUI?
The amount of time you will have your license suspended after being convicted of a DUI depends on various factors associated with your case. The details of your arrest and prior convictions can impact how long you will lose your driving privileges. Below are the circumstances of the DUI as well as their associated license suspension periods.
- Alcohol-related DUI with BAC .08 to .099: 3 months
- Alcohol-related DUI with BAC .10 or greater OR drug DUI: 7 months to 1 year
- Second offense within 10 years: 2 years
- Third offense within 10 years: 10 years
As established above, any DUI conviction will result in a potential license suspension and repeat offenders can even lose their license for as many as 10 years. Depending on the details of your offense you could lose your license for a significant amount of time or even have it revoked.
Can I Get My License Back Early After a Suspension?
In New Jersey, it is not possible to get your license back early after having it suspended for a DUI conviction. To have your driving privileges reinstated you must complete all of the terms of your conviction, including serving the entirety of your suspension period without a license. The following steps are crucial in getting your license back after a DUI suspension.
- Complete your suspension period
- Pay any outstanding fines associated with your suspension
- Complete any other requirements of your conviction like alcohol and drug abuse programs
- Fill out and submit the application for reinstatement
- Pay the reinstatement fee to the Motor Vehicle Commission
- Receive a Notice of Restoration in the mail
Without completing the entirety of your suspension period you cannot get your license back. There is no chance for an early reinstatement.
Can I Defend Against DUI Charges?
There are several defensive strategies that you and your lawyer can employ during a DUI case to avoid the full extent of the associated penalties. Losing your license can impact your ability to find or maintain a job as well as be detrimental to your personal relationships and everyday life. For more information on your rights and options after a DUI conviction, contact a skilled defense attorney at the Law Offices of Douglas Herring.
