The New Jersey legislature recognized that even though license suspensions of DUI/DWI offenders was mandatory, that many people continued driving with suspended licenses. With the support of MADD, a new DUI/DWI law was enacted which took effect on December 1, 2019.
The new law does not make a license suspension mandatory for all first offenders and requires everyone convicted of DWI to install an interlock device in their primary car. The interlock is a breath machine attached to a car’s ignition system which does not allow the engine to start unless the driver blows into a tube and there is no alcohol in a quick blood alcohol reading.
The following chart outlines what the new law provides:
FIRST OFFENSE
- .08% – .10% blood alcohol reading — license suspension until interlock (small breathalyzer attached to car ignition) installed for 3 months
- .10% – .15% — license suspension until interlock installed for 7-12 months
- .15% > license suspension 4-6 months with interlock installed for period of suspension followed by interlock for 9-15 months
- DUI (drugs) — license suspension 7-12 months
SECOND OFFENSE
License suspension 1–2 years with interlock installed for time of suspension plus 2–4 years.
THIRD OFFENSE
6 months in county jail (3 months of which can be served at inpatient rehabilitation) plus 8 years license suspension
This is a summary and the new law has many additional aspects that may apply to your case.
