First Offense DWI in New Jersey

Criminal Defense for First Offense DWI Charges Across New Jersey

In New Jersey, DWI and DUI refer to the same offense under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50. Unlike a criminal charge, a conviction is classified as a traffic offense, which means it can’t be expunged from your record. The stakes are permanent. At Roberts & Teeter, LLC, we represent people facing these charges with direct, focused attention from attorneys who practice exclusively in criminal law.

A first offense DWI charge deserves a serious defense from day one. Call Roberts & Teeter, LLC for a free consultation at (732) 607-5553.

First Offense DWI Penalties in New Jersey

New Jersey uses a tiered penalty structure tied to your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of the stop. Both tiers for a first offense carry the same jail exposure and Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) requirement but differ in fine ranges. The IDRC is a state-mandated program requiring 12 to 48 hours of evaluation and education before your driving privileges are restored.

Penalties by BAC level for a first offense conviction:

• BAC of 0.08% to 0.09%: Fines of $250 to $400, up to 30 days in jail, and mandatory IDRC attendance
• BAC of 0.10% or higher: Fines of $300 to $500, up to 30 days in jail, and mandatory IDRC attendance
• Insurance surcharge: $1,000 per year for three years, assessed on top of court-ordered fines
• Ignition interlock device: Mandatory for most first-time offenders under New Jersey’s 2019 DWI law reform

The 2019 reform also changed how license suspension works. Many first offenders can now avoid a hard suspension by installing an ignition interlock device, which requires a valid breath sample before the vehicle will start. If you refused the Alcotest breath test, separate refusal penalties apply on top of any DWI penalties.

Consequences That Follow a Conviction

Court-ordered penalties are only part of the picture. A DWI conviction stays on your driving record permanently, which can raise your automobile insurance premiums substantially for years. It can also surface in employment background checks, and if your job involves a professional license or security clearance, a conviction may trigger separate reporting obligations. These long-term consequences are often what motivate people to contest the charge rather than accept a resolution.

How We Defend First Offense DWI Cases

A first offense DWI case starts with the same question: Were the stop, the testing, and the evidence handled correctly? We review the grounds the officer had for the traffic stop, how field sobriety tests were administered, and whether the Alcotest breath testing instrument was properly calibrated and operated at the time of your arrest.

Alcotest Calibration & Expert Support

Alcotest calibration is a real vulnerability in New Jersey DWI cases. In State v. Cassidy, the New Jersey Supreme Court addressed widespread reliability concerns with Alcotest calibration records. In one case, we identified calibration issues under that ruling, and the charge was reduced to reckless driving. That’s one example, not a promised outcome, but it illustrates why instrument records matter. We also work with a network of outside experts, including private investigators, when the evidence warrants it.

Direct Attorney Access for Every DWI Client

Matthew Teeter’s practice focuses on criminal law, traffic offenses, and DWI/DUI matters, among other areas. Michael Brett Roberts brings the same exclusive criminal-law focus. When you retain Roberts & Teeter, LLC, your case is handled by one of these two attorneys directly. We don’t delegate to associates or paralegals, and we communicate with you at every stage of the process. For a charge that can’t be expunged, that level of attention matters.