DUI Lawyer in East Orange, New Jersey

Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges can seriously impact your life. Whether it’s your first offense or you’ve been through this before, the legal system moves fast and hits hard. You could face steep fines, a suspended license, ignition interlock requirements, and even jail time.

An experienced DUI lawyer in East Orange, New Jersey, can help you fight for a better outcome. You need someone who knows New Jersey's laws inside and out, understands how local courts work, and knows what steps to take to protect your rights.

With over 20 years of experience in the field, Attorney Angus Ejiofor has experience across multiple fields of law and strives to make every client feel listened to and respected.

If you’re looking to better grasp your situation and subsequent options, you’ve come to the right place. Contact the Law Office of Angus U Ejiofor, LLC today to set up a time to discuss your case.

DUI and DWI in New Jersey

In New Jersey, there's technically no legal difference between a DUI and a DWI — they’re both used to describe the same offense. New Jersey law treats impaired driving seriously, whether the impairment is from alcohol, prescription drugs, or illegal substances. Police can charge drivers based on blood alcohol content (BAC), field sobriety tests, or evidence of drug use.

According to the New Jersey Division of Highway and Traffic Safety, the legal limit for alcohol is a BAC of 0.08%. However, you can still be charged even if your BAC is lower. If you're under 21, any detectable alcohol in your system can lead to penalties. Commercial drivers face stricter limits and heavier consequences. Some common DUI/DWI triggers include:

• Failing field sobriety tests during a traffic stop

• Refusing to take a breathalyzer test

• Testing above the legal BAC limit

• Being suspected of drug use while driving

• Involvement in an accident where impairment is suspected

Once you're charged, you're on a tight timeline. Hearings come up quickly, and penalties get more serious with each passing day. That's why quick action and clear legal advice from a DUI attorney are so important.

Potential Penalties for DUI/DWI in New Jersey

The penalties for DUI/DWI in New Jersey vary depending on whether it’s your first offense or you’ve had previous convictions. Each case is different, but even a first-time offender faces serious consequences that can follow them for years. Penalties for a first offense include:

• Fines between $250 and $400 (BAC of 0.08% to 0.10%)

• Up to 30 days in jail

• License suspension until an ignition interlock device is installed

• 12 to 48 hours at an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC)

• Annual insurance surcharge for three years

Penalties for a second offense:

• Fines up to $1,000

• 48 hours to 90 days in jail

• One- to two-year license suspension

• Community service (30 days)

• Mandatory ignition interlock device

Penalties for a third offense:

• $1,000 fine

• Up to 180 days in jail

• License suspension for eight years

• Up to 90 days of community service

• IDRC requirements and interlock device installation

Penalties increase with each offense, and aggravating factors like causing an accident, having a minor in the car, or refusing a breath test can make matters worse.

Additional Consequences Beyond Court Penalties

A DUI/DWI conviction doesn't just affect your driving record — it can ripple through every part of your life. Beyond fines and license suspensions, you could face problems at work, at home, and even with your insurance. Here are a few long-term consequences of a DUI/DWI conviction:

• Higher insurance premiums: Convictions lead to steep insurance hikes that last for years.

• Loss of employment: Jobs that require driving or a clean record may no longer be available.

• Professional licensing issues: Certain careers may be at risk, especially those involving healthcare, education, or law.

• Immigration complications: Non-citizens may face visa problems or removal proceedings.

• Public embarrassment: Your name could appear in court records, news reports, or background checks.

When you look at the full picture, it’s easy to see why fighting a charge with the help of a DUI attorney is so important.

Defending Against a DUI/DWI Charge

Being charged doesn’t mean you’re automatically guilty. There are legal defenses a DUI attorney can argue that can help reduce your penalties — or even get your case dismissed. The key is identifying any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and challenging the evidence against you. Some possible defenses include:

• Unlawful traffic stop: Police must have a valid reason to stop you. If they didn’t, the charge might not hold.

• Faulty breathalyzer results: Breath tests must be properly calibrated and administered. Errors can make results unreliable.

• Improper field sobriety tests: Officers must follow strict protocols. Mistakes during these tests could weaken their case.

• Medical conditions: Certain health issues or medications can mimic signs of impairment.

• Violation of rights: If your rights were violated during the arrest, evidence might be thrown out.

An experienced DUI attorney can look at every detail of your arrest and build a strategy that fits your case.

Steps to Take After a DUI/DWI Arrest

If you’ve been arrested for DUI or DWI in New Jersey, you may feel overwhelmed. But there are immediate steps you can take that will help protect your future. The sooner you act, the more options you’ll likely have. Here’s what you should do after a DUI/DWI arrest

• Contact a DUI attorney right away: Time is limited, and legal help early on can make a big difference.

• Don’t speak to police without legal counsel: What you say can be used against you. Let your attorney handle communication.

• Document everything you remember: Note the time of the stop, what the officer said, and how the tests were performed.

• Request a copy of the police report: This will help your attorney examine the case and find possible errors.

• Prepare for court: You’ll need to attend hearings, so it’s best to know what to expect.

Taking these steps early helps set the foundation for a strong defense argued by a reliable DUI attorney.

Underage DUI and Zero Tolerance Laws

Drivers under the age of 21 are held to a stricter standard in New Jersey. Under the state's zero tolerance law, any measurable amount of alcohol in an underage driver’s system can lead to penalties — even if they aren't legally drunk by adult standards. Some consequences include:

• 30 to 90-day license suspension

• 15 to 30 days of community service

• Alcohol and traffic safety education at the IDRC

• Additional penalties for higher BAC levels or other offenses

Underage drivers also face trouble with college applications, job prospects, and parental car insurance policies. An attorney can help reduce the impact and push for alternatives like conditional discharge or diversion programs.

Commercial Driver DUI/DWI Charges

Commercial drivers are held to even higher standards in New Jersey. A BAC of just 0.04% can result in a DUI/DWI for a CDL holder. That’s half the legal limit for non-commercial drivers—and the consequences are much more severe. Some risks CDL holders face include:

• One-year suspension of CDL for a first offense

• Permanent loss of CDL for a second offense

• Job loss, even if the incident happened off-duty

• Barriers to getting future employment in the trucking or transportation industry

If you're a commercial driver, protecting your CDL should be a top priority. A DUI/DWI conviction could end your career, so getting legal help is crucial.

Refusing a Breath Test

Refusing to take a breathalyzer test in New Jersey triggers automatic penalties under the state’s implied consent law. When you drive on New Jersey roads, you give implied consent to chemical testing if you're suspected of DUI or DWI. Some penalties for refusing a breath test include:

• $300–$500 fine for a first offense

• Automatic license suspension (minimum seven months)

• Mandatory ignition interlock device

• Referral to the IDRC

• Insurance surcharges

Refusal doesn’t protect you from DUI charges—in fact, it often makes your situation worse. Judges may assume refusal means guilt, which can work against you in court.