Being arrested and charged with driving under the influence is, to put it mildly, distressing. Consider the fact that, in New Jersey, the vast majority of DUI arrests and convictions involve a Defendant who has a clean driving and no criminal record. What that means is, if you were arrested for DUI, it was probably your first contact with the justice system. If it wasn’t your first violation, you should be aware that the penalties are much more severe for repeat offenses. To obtain the most favorable outcome, you need a skilled legal advocate who will reserve judgment and be able to understand the complexities of your case.
If you were arrested and charged with driving under the influence, you are facing a host of repercussions. These include the suspension or loss of your driver’s license, possible jail time, numerous court appearances, and restrictive conditions such as Ignition Interlock devices. Of course, it is worth noting that along with the legal ramifications, a DUI charge carries with it increased stress, potential sleep loss, possible damage to your reputation, insurance rate increases, and even, perhaps, the disrepair of a relationship.
In New Jersey, it is common practice for municipal and traffic violations to be downgraded via a plea agreement with the prosecutor, which of course, is subject to approval by a Judge. However, per New Jersey statutory law, DUI and drug related offenses are distinguished from other municipal infractions in that they cannot be downgraded via a plea agreement. In fact, it is illegal for a DUI charge to be pled down via an agreement with the prosecutor.
What that means is, if you were recently arrested for DUI, you need competent and experienced legal representation. A trained legal eye will be able to review your case carefully and evaluate the facts of your situation, the circumstances surrounding the arrest, and the state’s evidence against you. Further, an attorney can gather evidence in your favor, ascertain whether an expert witness would be beneficial, suppress evidence against you, and identify issues of fact that may undermine the state’s case. We make no guarantees. If you did it, and/or the state can prove you did it, we can work to get you the minimum available sentence. We can help you understand your rights. We can require the State to prove it’s case against you. And if they fail to do it, we can get it thrown out.
So why do you need a lawyer for a DUI if there’s little hope of “getting out of it”? Because without a lawyer, you’re lost, and you have little to no hope at all of getting out of it, even if the State fails to meet it’s burden, because you won’t know it.
Experience, dedication, and customer service are among the most important qualities an attorney can possess. At the Law Offices of Lynda Hinkle, our attorneys have built their reputations on these qualities, and will put them to work on your behalf. We understand that people make mistakes, both large and small, and we will never pass judgment on you. We’ll be by your side and we’ll get you through it. We have locations in Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester counties, and are happy to discuss your legal options. Call us at (856) 227-7888 or email [email protected] to set up a free consultation.