In New Jersey, a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher is considered to be driving while intoxicated. A DWI in this particular state is a traffic offense and not an indictable crime and thus cannot result in a misdemeanor or felony for that violation alone. Still, Morristown criminal defense lawyers generally recommend representation in order to limit the penalties and any potential effect that it could have on future employment.
The state of New Jersey has a driving while intoxicated statute designed to prevent people from operating a motor vehicle while affected by alcohol or drugs. All 50 states have similar statutes, and the offense is often referred to as “driving under the influence” or “driving while impaired.” You may often see these terms used interchangeably, and within the context of New Jersey, they all refer to the same DWI statute.
New Jersey is one of only two states—the other being New York—in which a DWI is a traffic offense and not a criminal offense. A DWI can still result in a criminal offense if there are injuries involved, but the majority of DWI citations do not result in criminal charges. Nevertheless, a DWI can result in serious penalties, including:
It depends on the circumstances. An employer does have the right—depending on the phase of the hiring process—to ask you about criminal charges and to perform a criminal background check. But since a DWI is a motor vehicle offense in New Jersey and not a criminal offense, you do not have to disclose the arrest or the charges, and any conviction will not show up on a criminal report. It will, however, show up on your Driver History Abstract, which is commonly referred to as a driving record, and a clean driving record is a prerequisite to some jobs.
Municipalities are permitted to request your driving record without restriction, and they can therefore choose not to hire you based on a DWI. Other employers have limited access based on what the position entails. If the job involves operating a vehicle that requires a license, then the employer can ask you if you have been charged with a DWI and can verify that information through the DMV. The employer can choose not to hire you based on that information and may in some cases have an obligation not to hire you.
In the state of New Jersey, a DWI remains on your driving history abstract forever. This is done so that previous violations can result in harsher penalties for subsequent violations. The law in this state does include what is called a 10-year step-down provision. After 10 years have passed from a previous violation, a subsequent violation will be assessed as if it were the first infraction.
There are no such rules governing employers. If an employer is hiring you to operate a motor vehicle, it has the right to assess a DWI conviction that is older than 10 years. It is generally believed that employers place greater emphasis on recent history, but they are not obligated to do so.
It is often beneficial for anyone charged with a DWI in New Jersey to hire an attorney to protect their legal rights and mitigate any penalties that may be faced. If you or a loved one is in this situation, then it could be a good idea to contact the law office of Gregg A. Wisotsky. We can provide you with a consultation and, if needed, local representation from a Morristown criminal defense lawyer. To schedule an appointment, call us at 973-898-0161 or contact us online.