Legal landscape note: This article was originally published in 2017 and describes the law as it stood at that time. New Jersey law changes frequently.
DWI, DUI, DUI/DWI- Underage Drinking
A checkpoint on the way home from a graduation party. A traffic stop after two beers at a backyard barbecue. Summer is the season when the most DUI charges occur in New Jersey, and many of the drivers who get stopped felt fine when they got behind the wheel. Here is what can land you in the back of a police car for DUI this summer, and what you can do to avoid it:
Be Careful at Parties -
The warm weather means that more parties, graduations and holidays are happening. If you are driving, be careful of how much you are drinking. There is nothing worse than leaving a celebration and getting arrested because you weren’t careful with how much you drank.
A Few Drinks Can Lead to a DUI - Most of our clients had just one or two drinks at dinner or a party when they were charged with DUI. Even though you might feel sober, in some cases, this can lead to you being charged with DUI.
Call an Uber -
Calling an Uber following a party is a wise option for your safety and the safety of others on the road. As we mentioned above, getting behind the wheel with a few drinks in your system can end in disaster.
Processing Alcohol Differently -
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, men and women process alcohol differently. Women end up with higher concentrations of alcohol in the blood and become more impaired than men after having the same amount to drink.
Clearly, there are many different activities that can lead to you getting a DUI this summer, but it is always smart to be aware of what you can do to avoid one. If you are driving, it is essential to be aware that you could be charged with DUI even if you aren’t drunk. If your blood alcohol level is at or above 0.08 percent, then you are considered legally impaired. Note that DWI penalties in New Jersey have since been restructured: under the December 2019 ignition-interlock law, most first offenders are now required to install an ignition interlock device, with license forfeiture periods adjusted accordingly.