DUI Attorney
Sea Girt, NJ
At Anthony J. Cafaro, P.C., we have an in-depth understanding of New Jersey’s Municipal Courts. Many people face these proceedings alone, but DUI cases and other similar matters can have severe consequences such as loss of a driver’s license, fines and penalties, or even jail time. Anthony J. Cafaro has helped hundreds of clients fight DUI arrests in Monmouth County and avoid the negative consequences which can result from a conviction.
Contact
Overview of New Jersey’s Municipal Courts & DUI
New Jersey’s Municipal Courts are responsible for certain limited types of cases, including traffic violations such as parking tickets, minor criminal offenses including simple assault, and other offenses such as building code or other ordinance violations. Serious criminal cases are handled in a different court, called the Superior Court. It is important to understand New Jersey’s Municipal Court System and how it works, as many people come in contact with the court.
Although the Municipal Courts hear a variety of cases, DUI offenses are common and can have severe penalties. New Jersey takes DUI offenses seriously and can impose harsh penalties even for first-time offenders. If you are caught with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, you may be cited for driving under the influence (DUI), or drunk driving. The potential penalties if convicted depend on many factors, including your BAC and how many times you have been convicted before.
It is important to note that New Jersey law requires drivers to take a breath test after an arrest for drunk driving. Drivers can refuse to take a breath test, but they will be detained and have a blood sample taken. Refusing to take a breath test may also expose you to harsher penalties than would otherwise be imposed.
Attorney Anthony J. Cafaro has more than 12 years of experience with DUI defense in Monmouth County and criminal defense cases in New Jersey’s Municipal Courts. His experience covers DUI violations, traffic violations, drug possession, simple assault, driver’s license suspension and revocation, and theft charges. At Anthony J. Cafaro, P.C., our continued success is enhanced by the wealth of experts at our disposal. This includes toxicologists for BAC tests and former state troopers. Having experts such as these on your side is crucial to your criminal defense and is one of the ways we strive to serve our clients.
Effective Criminal Defense Attorney Serving Monmouth and Ocean Counties For Over 12 Years
Not all attorneys have the experience to effectively defend criminal cases and DUI offenses. Whether you are facing a traffic violation or a DUI, Anthony J. Cafaro has the knowledge and experience to effectively and competently defend you. Please call our office now at (732) 449-0449 for a free consultation.
If you are arrested for drunk driving, you need a DUI attorney that understands New Jersey state laws. Each state has different guidelines when it comes to the difference between drunk driving and reckless driving along with the consequences of a conviction. Anthony J. Cafaro, P.C. is a true expert and can help you to navigate through the court system while making an argument for why the charges should be dropped or reduced. To learn more or to get immediate help, call (732) 449-0449.
What should I do if I get pulled over for drunk driving?
First, try and stay calm. If you get worked up and nervous you will naturally appear guilty. The officer will ask for your driver’s license and insurance card so pull that out and be prepared to hand it to them. If the officer sees any open alcohol containers or smells alcohol on your breath, they will likely ask you to step out of the vehicle. At this time, you may be asked to walk in a straight line or take a breathalyzer test. You have the right to decide whether or not to comply. If, you elect to not take a breathalyzer test, you will likely be taken to jail, or they may request a warrant to force you to comply. If you are taken to jail, call our office so that you can benefit from Anthony J. Cafaro, P.C.’s experience as a DUI attorney. You can reach Anthony J. Cafaro, P.C. by calling (732) 449-0449.
Should I fight the charges?
If you are charged with a DUI, we recommend that you hire a lawyer and fight the charges. If you have a clean record, the first DUI may not seem like a big deal but it actually is. If you are convicted, it will go on your record as a criminal conviction. This is not a simple speeding ticket but can impact your ability to get a job, rent an apartment, maintain custody of your kids and keep your auto insurance rates at an affordable level. By not fighting the charges, you are exposing yourself to a fine and potential jail time in addition to those other consequences. As an experienced DUI attorney, Anthony J. Cafaro, P.C. can make a case for why you shouldn’t be convicted of this crime.
What are the consequences of a DUI conviction?
If you are pulled over in the 08750 area, your DUI charge will be governed by NJ state law. A DUI conviction is a criminal conviction so if you are found guilty, you will likely spend some time in jail. The amount of jail time is up to the judge. In order to avoid this, you need to work with an experienced DUI attorney that can negotiate for the charges to be dropped or reduced to reckless driving. If you are found guilty, Anthony J. Cafaro, P.C. can make an argument for why you shouldn’t spend time in jail but need rehabilitation services instead. There are other alternatives to jail that include serving your time under house arrest. The judge has to approve these alternatives and working with an experienced DUI lawyer will improve your chances of them agreeing to it.
If you are convicted, you will likely pay a fine as well. The judge will determine what that exact amount will be and if you have had prior convictions, the amount will be higher. We understand that many of our clients cannot afford to pay a hefty fine and will work to negotiate the amount down as much as possible.
Other potential consequences include losing your driver’s license or being required to have an interlocking system installed on your vehicle. If this becomes a requirement, you will have to pay the fees associated with it and be required to blow into the device in order to turn the car on. It will measure your blood alcohol content to ensure you are safe to drive. This can be both inconvenient and embarrassing. In court, Anthony J. Cafaro, P.C. will make a case for why you are unlikely to reoffend and why these drastic measures are unnecessary.
Building a case
Just because you were pulled over for drunk driving in the Sea Girt area, doesn’t mean that you are guilty of drunk driving. Many people are pulled over and even taken to jail when they shouldn’t be. It is perfectly legal for an adult to have a drink, but it becomes illegal when your BAC level gets above 0.08. If you smell like alcohol and are taken to jail as a result, you may still have a BAC that is well within the legal limit. Additionally, if you take a breathalyzer test, the reading may not be accurate. As an experienced DUI attorney, Anthony J. Cafaro, P.C. will investigate your case in order to gather evidence that can prove your innocence. This may involve checking to see when the breathalyzer was last inspected or interviewing witnesses that can prove you had a drink hours before, and there was no way you could have been intoxicated.
When you meet with Anthony J. Cafaro, P.C. make sure to recount every detail leading up to you driving, along with what happened on the road and during your arrest. This will provide the information necessary to investigate the circumstances and to build your case. In the 08750 area, people are regularly pulled over for driving while intoxicated but the more details you can provide, the more information Anthony J. Cafaro, P.C. will have to prove your innocence.
Where do I hire a DUI attorney if I live out of state?
If you live outside of New Jersey and were pulled over for drunk driving, you need to hire a DUI attorney that is located near where you were pulled over. First, the attorney has to be licensed to practice in the state and secondly, this will save you money. Local attorneys typically cost less because you don’t have to pay for their travel time.
If you have been pulled over or arrested for drunk driving, call Anthony J. Cafaro, P.C. at (732) 449-0449 and schedule a consultation. Anthony J. Cafaro, P.C. is a local expert and can help to get the charges against you dropped or reduced so that you can avoid paying a hefty fine or spending time in jail.