New Jersey
DWI / DUI Lawyer in New Jersey
A DWI or DUI charge threatens your license, your record, and sometimes your freedom. These cases need real defense work — evidence review, procedural challenges, and negotiation. Start with a consultation so an attorney can evaluate your specific case.
Talk to us before you pay that ticket
Charges like this one start with a short call. A licensed New Jersey attorney reviews your case and explains your options before you pay anything.
Request a free consultation- Win rate
- 98%
- Drivers helped
- 5,000+
- Saved for drivers
- $7M+
- Avg. insurance savings
- $1,422
How it works
Three steps from ticket to result.
- STEP 01
Share your ticket
Upload your citation and basic details in minutes.
- STEP 02
An attorney takes over
A licensed attorney reviews your case and walks you through your options.
- STEP 03
Get updates until it's done
We keep you posted at every step — most cases end with a reduced or dismissed charge.
Why it matters in New Jersey
What a dwi / dui costs in New Jersey
- Typical fine
- $250–$500 first offense, plus roughly $1,000/year in MVC surcharges for 3 years
- License points
- No MVC points, but 9 insurance eligibility points
- Insurance impact
- A DWI brings a $1,000-per-year MVC surcharge for three years plus 9 insurance eligibility points — expect premiums to double or more.
- License risk
- First offense under 0.15% BAC: ignition interlock instead of forfeiture in most cases; 0.15%+ means a 4–6 month license forfeiture plus interlock.
Frequently asked questions
Is a DWI a criminal offense in New Jersey?
Uniquely, no — NJ treats DWI as a serious traffic offense heard in municipal court, so there's no jury and no criminal record. But the penalties (interlock, forfeiture, surcharges, jail exposure) are very real, and there is no plea bargaining of DWI charges in NJ, which makes the evidence fight everything.
Will I lose my license after a first NJ DWI?
Since the 2019 law change, most first offenders with a BAC under 0.15% keep their license but must install an ignition interlock. Higher BACs and refusals still carry forfeiture periods. An attorney needs your BAC reading and stop details to tell you which tier applies.
Why do you start DWI cases with a consultation instead of a quote?
Because NJ bars prosecutors from simply downgrading DWIs, the defense lives in the details — the stop, the field sobriety tests, the Alcotest calibration and 20-minute observation period. No responsible attorney can price or plan that without reviewing your discovery first.
Can the Alcotest breath reading be challenged?
Yes. New Jersey courts require strict calibration, certification, and observation protocols for the Alcotest 7110. Failures in any of them can render the reading inadmissible, which often changes the entire case.
What surcharges follow a DWI conviction?
The MVC bills $1,000 a year for three years ($1,500 for a third offense), independent of court fines and IDRC fees. Nonpayment suspends your license — another reason the conviction itself is worth fighting.
How do I get started?
Request a consultation. We connect you with a licensed New Jersey DWI attorney who reviews your reading, your stop, and your discovery before recommending a defense — no obligation.
Talk to us before you pay that ticket
Tell us about your case and we'll connect you with a licensed attorney who can evaluate your options — no obligation.
Request a free consultation