DUI/DWI Basics

Before you ever hire a New Jersey DUI attorney in the first place, take a moment to understand DUI/DWI laws in this state. First and foremost, the terms DUI and DWI are interchangeable in this state. Some states differentiate between the two, but in New Jersey, both mean the same thing – you had a higher than legal BAC.

What is a BAC? BAC stands for Blood Alcohol Content, and this is basically a measure of the intoxicating drink in your system. Nationally, the legal limit is 0.08%, which works out to be one drink per hour for most people. Your BAC can vary due to weight, sex, how much you’ve had to eat, and other factors, so a good rule of thumb is to call a cab or stay put if you’ve had anything to drink in the previous two hours.

When a New Jersey police officer pulls you over, he or she may suspect that you’ve been drinking. If this is the case, you’ll be asked to perform a number of field sobriety tests. While you should always be polite to the arresting officer, you are not legally required to perform these tests. However, if you decline a chemical test – blood, urine, or breath – your license will be automatically suspended and you’ll be charged with a DUI.