Morristown DWI Defense Lawyer for Repeat Drunk Driving Convictions

If you are facing a DWI charge in New Jersey as a repeat offender, you are facing penalties that include mandatory jail time and a long-term driver’s license suspension. You are also facing thousands of dollars in fines and penalties, plus additional consequences that can impact your life for years to come. In order to protect your freedom and your finances, you need to defend yourself in court, and this starts with hiring an experienced Morristown DWI defense lawyer to represent you.

Attorney Scott A. Gorman has more than a decade of experience representing individuals charged with multiple-time DWI offenses in Morristown. He knows the system, and he knows how to present effective defense strategies that protect his clients. Whether you think you may be guilty or you are certain that you are innocent, presenting the right defense strategy is the key to mitigating the consequences of your arrest as much as possible.

When are You Considered a Multiple-Time DWI Offender in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, you will be sentenced as a multiple-time offender if you have a prior DWI conviction within the last 10 years. To be sentenced as a third-time DWI offender, only your second DWI would need to have been less than ten years old, and, if you have three or more prior DWI convictions, you will be sentenced as a third or subsequent offender regardless of the age of your prior convictions. This includes prior convictions not only in Morristown, but throughout New Jersey and even in other states across the country.

What are the Penalties for Multiple-Time DWI Offenses?

The penalties for a multiple-time DWI offense depend upon whether this is your second offense or you already have two or more convictions. If the police arrested you in a school zone, the penalties are higher; however, unlike first-time DWI offenses, the penalties are the same regardless of your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of your arrest.

If you are facing charges for a second DWI offense (not in a school zone), the potential penalties include:

• Prison Term: 48 hours to 90 days
• License Suspension: Two years
• Fines and Fees: $775 to $1,275
• DUI Surcharge: $1,000 per year for three years
• Community Service: 30 days
• Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC): 12 to 48 hours
• IDRC Fee: $280 per day
• Ignition Interlock Device: One to three years following license restoration

If you are facing charges for a third or subsequent DWI offense (not in a school zone), the potential penalties include:

• Prison Term: 180 days
• License Suspension: 10 years
• Fines and Fees: $1,275
• DUI Surcharge: $1,500 per year for three years
• Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC): 12 to 48 hours
• IDRC Fee: $280 per day
• Ignition Interlock Device: One to three years following license restoration

For a second DWI offense occurring in a school zone, the total fines and fees can increase to $2,275, your license can be suspended for four years, and you are facing between 96 hours and 180 days in jail. The fines also increase for a third or subsequent offense (though you are still facing a maximum jail term of 180 days); and, for a third or subsequent offense occurring in a school zone, you can lose your license for 20 years.

Speak With Morristown DWI Defense Lawyer Scott A. Gorman

At The Gorman Law Firm, we offer free initial consultations, and each client works personally with attorney Scott A. Gorman. If you need a Morristown DWI lawyer, we encourage you to contact us right away. To schedule an appointment as soon as possible, call 973-796-3800 or contact us online now.