New Jersey Amends Penalties For Driving While Intoxicated.

Effective as of February 19, 2024, the amended DUI Statute took effect and provided new guidance regarding ignition interlock devices which affects defendants charged with certain driving while intoxicated violations. With New Jersey’s driving while intoxicated law already setting forth an indefinite license suspension until an interlock device is installed for any person convicted of a violation, voluntary installation provides significant penalty reductions.

For first-, second- and third-time offenders who did not cause serious bodily injury, the voluntary installation of an interlock device will no longer be subject to a fine so long as they possessed a valid New Jersey driver’s license in good standing at the time of the offense and maintain the license in good standing until the date of conviction. First-time offenders who had a blood alcohol concentration of .15 percent or higher and did not cause serious bodily injury, and all second or third-time offenders who did not cause serious bodily injury, are also entitled to a one-day credit against the license suspension period associated with the violation for every two days an interlock device had been installed. With these changes, no order is required from the Municipal Court to complete the voluntary, pre-conviction process.

If you have been charged with Driving Under the Influence contact Bidlingmaier & Bidlingmaier for your free consultation.