DUI Defense Attorney in Bergen County, New Jersey
A drunk driving conviction, even for a first offense, can carry with it a variety of serious consequences. From fines to jail time to driver’s license suspension, your life can be greatly altered. If you have been charged with DUI/DWI (39:4-50) in New Jersey, the best thing you can do is get in touch with an attorney who understands the process and the penalties you face.
At Jae Lee Law, we are dedicated to helping drivers in Bergen County fight DUI charges. We work tirelessly to achieve positive outcomes for our clients — outcomes that minimize the penalties our clients face, which in turn minimizes the negative impact a DUI has on daily life.
To talk to a skilled DUI attorney about drunk driving penalties and how to protect your rights, please call 201-346-3800. You can also send us an email.
NJ DUI Laws – Understanding the Possible Consequences
If convicted on a 39:4-50 DUI charge, the penalties you face will be harsh, and they will increase if you have prior drunk driving convictions, if there was a minor in the car when you were stopped, and if certain other factors were involved. Generally speaking, DUI penalties in New Jersey include some combination of:
- Fines: Depending on your history, you could face a fine of between $250 and $1,000.
- Motor vehicle surcharges: The New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles assesses surcharges against DUI offenders. If this is your first offense, the surcharge will be $3,000. For subsequent convictions, the surcharge is $4,500.
- Jail: A jail term is not usually imposed for a first offense, but is a real possibility for repeat offenders.
- Driver’s license suspension: Your license will be automatically suspended. For a first offense, the suspension is three months to a year, depending on your blood alcohol content.
- Ignition interlock device: Some drivers will be required to have this device installed in their vehicles. It requires the driver to give a breath sample before the vehicle will start.
Penalties Increase for Repeat Offenders
If you have a past DUI/DWI conviction on your record, you will be considered a repeat offender and the penalties you face are even stiffer:
When you meet with our Bergen County lawyers, we will help you understand the penalties you face specifically. We will then work diligently to have them reduced or to avoid them completely. We will do our best to uncover weaknesses in the case against you and challenge breath test results, field sobriety test results and other evidence to help achieve a positive outcome.
- Second conviction: Two-year driver’s license suspension; fine of $500 – $1,000; up to 90 days in jail; and 30 days of community service
- Third conviction: 10-year license suspension; $1,000 fine; up to 180 days in jail; up to 90 days of community service
How We Defend Against DUI Charges in Bergen County
An arrest does not always have to turn into a conviction, and a careful review of the evidence often reveals problems that work in your favor. New Jersey prosecutors pursue impaired driving cases aggressively, in part because of how often alcohol factors into serious crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that nearly 12,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2024, which keeps these offenses under intense scrutiny across the state.
Our attorneys examine every stage of your stop and arrest, from whether the officer had a valid reason to pull you over to how your blood alcohol content was measured. We study the calibration and maintenance records behind the testing equipment, the way any field sobriety tests were administered, and whether your rights were respected throughout the process. When we identify a flaw, we use it to push for reduced charges, dismissed counts, or a more favorable resolution that limits the drunk driving penalties you face.
Refusing a Breath Test Carries Its Own Penalties
Many drivers assume that declining a breath test will protect them; however, New Jersey law treats refusal as a separate violation with consequences of its own. Under the state’s implied consent rule, anyone who drives on New Jersey roads has already agreed to provide a breath sample when lawfully arrested on suspicion of impaired driving.
A refusal can lead to a license suspension, fines, and an ignition interlock requirement that runs alongside, not instead of, any penalty tied to the DUI charge itself. The science and procedure behind these cases are complicated, and the real consequences of refusing a breath test are often unclear to the drivers who face them. We can review exactly what happened during your arrest and guide you through the options available before your court date.
What to Do After a DUI Arrest in Bergen County
The hours and days that follow a DUI arrest can impact the entire outcome of your case. Acting quickly gives us more room to protect your driving privileges, gather evidence while it is still fresh, and prepare a response before critical deadlines pass.
Write down everything you remember about the traffic stop, including the time, the location, and what the officer said and did. Avoid discussing the details of your arrest on social media or with anyone other than your attorney. If your license has already been affected, we can explain how a stay of license suspension during a DWI appeal may keep you on the road while your case moves forward.
How a DUI Conviction Reaches Beyond the Courtroom
The penalties a court hands down are only one part of the picture. A conviction can raise your auto insurance rates, complicate your current or future employment, and create lasting strain on your daily routine, especially when your work depends on a valid license.
These ripple effects are one more reason to take the charge seriously from the very start. We look at how a potential outcome could touch every part of your life, then build a defense aimed at protecting not only your record but also the responsibilities that depend on it. A measured, well-prepared response today can spare you considerable difficulty down the road.
Why Drivers in Bergen County Choose Jae Lee Law
When your license and your record are on the line, the background of the attorney you hire matters. Our team brings more than 100 years of combined legal experience to your defense, led by founding attorney Jae Lee, who has spent nearly three decades fighting for clients throughout New Jersey. Our firm also includes an attorney certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court.
We are proactive, not just responsive, and we prepare every case as though it may go to trial, while working toward a favorable outcome on your behalf. Our multilingual team serves clients in English, Korean, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, and Ukrainian, so language never stands between you and a strong defense. The results we have achieved for past clients reflect the care and persistence we bring to every legal matter we take on.
