Woodbridge DUI/DWI Lawyer
Aggressive Criminal Defense Lawyer Fights for Clients Arrested on DWI/DUI Charges in Woodbridge and Throughout NJ
A DUI carries serious consequences – and not just in the short term. In addition to hefty fees and possible jail time, a DUI can lead to ramifications such as increased insurance rates, points on your driving record, and the loss of future job opportunities. This is why you need to get legal help right away if you are arrested for a DUI in Woodbridge.
The Law Offices of Anthony J. Vecchio, LLC, can provide the skilled and aggressive legal representation that you need. Over the course of his career, Anthony has adeptly handled more than 1,000 criminal, municipal, and appellate cases, including numerous cases involving DUI. His work has earned him recognition as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in New Jersey and helped our firm to achieve a 10-star Avvo rating. You can count on him to get to know the facts of your case, fight hard to protect your rights, and always put your interests first.
Don’t wait to take action and start your DUI/DWI defense. Contact our Woodbridge office today and schedule an immediate consultation.
About Woodbridge Township, New Jersey
Also known as “The Crossroads of New Jersey,” Woodbridge is located within Middlesex County. The area sees a great deal of traffic from people traveling between New York and Philadelphia, with a majority of that traffic clustered on the New Jersey Turnpike and U.S. Highways 1, 9, and 287. The Garden State Parkway also goes through Woodbridge. Heavy traffic means a heavy police presence on the roads and frequent citations for DWI and other traffic offenses.
Our law office is conveniently located in the center of Woodbridge and is easy to access for those who seek legal help for their DUI charges. You can reach our office by phone or through our online form to schedule a consultation with attorney Anthony J. Vecchio. As you will quickly see, Anthony will give you and your case the personal attention it deserves, and he will focus on delivering the best possible outcome.
What You Should Know About a DUI/DWI Charge in Woodbridge
DWI and DUI, which mean “driving while intoxicated” and “driving under the influence,” are interchangeable terms in New Jersey. However, not all DWI/DUI charges in New Jersey are the same. DUIs are separated into three separate categories under state law:
- Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) between .08 and .10 percent
- BAC greater than .10 percent
- Driving while intoxicated in a school zone.
If you are a first-time offender and pulled over with an alleged BAC of between .08 and .10 percent, you face the following potential consequences:
- Loss of driving privileges for three months
- Between 12 hours and 30 days of jail time
- Between $250 and $400 in fines
- A $1,000 annual automobile insurance surcharge for three years
- Other fees and surcharges not in excess of $525
- Possible ignition interlock requirement
- Alcohol abuse assessment, in addition to other penalties.
Enhanced Penalties
If you were driving in a school zone, your fines may increase by as much as $500 to $800, and you could be sentenced an additional 60 days in jail. Instead of your license being suspended for three months, you could lose it for as long as two years.
If you are a second-time offender and/or if your alleged BAC was far above the legal limit, you could face second- or third-degree DUI penalties, which include fines of up to $1,000, a jail sentence between two and 180 days and between two and 10 years of license suspension. Your DUI charges may be more severe if you are charged with reckless driving, refusal to submit to a breath test, or driving with an open container.
As you can see, a DUI can have serious consequences on both your short-term and long-term future. You will protect that future by reaching out to our team at the Law Offices of Anthony J. Vecchio, LLC, to discuss your options for fighting the charges.
What Happens If Police Arrest You for a DWI in Woodbridge?
If you are stopped and suspected of driving under the influence in Woodbridge, the first thing law enforcement will do is test you. To do this, they will take you to a location such as the New Jersey State Police’s Troop B station or the Woodbridge Township Police Department. The police may also ask you to submit to a blood test or, in rare cases, to provide a urine sample. You may be tempted to refuse a test. It will depend on your circumstances. A refusal could potentially harm your defense.
Let your DUI defense attorney do the fighting on your behalf. For instance, because blood and urine samples need to be sent out for testing, mistakes can occur at different points in the process. Our team will thoroughly investigate both the police force’s processes as well as the lab’s conduct and look for any basis to throw out the test results.
Court Hearings
Your case will go before the Municipal Court, which is located at:
1 Main Street
Woodbridge, N.J. 07095
(732) 636-6430
If you appeal the Municipal Court judgment in your case, it would go before the Superior Court, which is located at:
56 Paterson Street
New Brunswick, N.J. 08901
(732) 519-3200
You should never fight a DUI on your own. DUIs are serious. The prosecution does not treat them lightly. If the charges stand, you face fines, jail time, and life-altering consequences. The best thing you can do for your future is to reach out to a skilled attorney who understands the court system and who will help you to successfully navigate it.
How Can a Woodbridge DUI/DWI Defense Lawyer Help You?
Anthony began his career as an intern in the trial unit of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office. He went on to intern for the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender after that, where he also later served as a designated attorney. Eventually, he joined a private practice, where he served as a criminal defense and personal injury attorney for nearly 10 years. While he served, he was appointed as Municipal Prosecutor in several jurisdictions, including Freehold Township, Rumson Borough, and Howell.
With this background, Anthony has the skills, experience, and knowledge that it takes to defend your rights. He also understands the risks that people expose themselves to when they do not get legal help with their DUI charge. He will know how to protect your rights and pursue all possible defenses in your case. Depending on the facts of your situation, those defenses could include the following.
Potential Defenses
- The police lacked probable cause or reasonable suspicion to stop you
- Police failed to comply with New Jersey’s “20-minute rule”
- The police violated your Miranda rights
- The prosecution committed discovery violations
- Confusion (including hearing aid-related confusion) leading to a refusal
- Problems with the testing of your breath, blood or urine.
If you are not fully aware of your rights, it is not a good idea to try to defend yourself. A practiced and knowledgeable attorney like Anthony will be familiar with all of your rights and able to if they were violated. In many cases, a violation of a DWI defendant’s rights can lead to suppression of evidence and, in turn, the dismissal of the charge.
Anthony will also be upfront with you. He will advise you about the pros and cons of entering a plea. His goal will be to ensure that you make a fully informed decision, and he will never pressure you to enter a plea. If you choose to plead guilty, he will work hard to minimize the consequences for you.
You Deserve an Experienced Woodbridge DUI Attorney
Everybody – no matter what charges they face – deserves a chance to fight for their freedom and protect their rights. If you were arrested for driving under the influence in Woodbridge or surrounding areas in Middlesex, call the Law Offices of Anthony J. Vecchio, LLC, to discuss your case. We will get to know the facts of your case, fight tirelessly for you and always keep your best interests at heart. When you are ready to defend your future, contact our Woodbridge office for timely and confidential consultation.
