Hopatcong School Zone DWI Lawyers

DUI Defense Attorneys in Warren County and Sussex County, New Jersey

DWI in School Zone

A charge for driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI) is one thing, but a DWI within 1,000 feet of school property or a school crossing exposes the driver to an entirely separate set of enhanced penalties including higher fines, longer license suspensions, and lengthier jail terms. If you are charged with a DWI in a school zone in Sussex County or Warren County, New Jersey you have a lot on the line and a lot to lose. Fortunately, the highly experienced DWI defense team at the Tormey Law Firm is only one phone call away from fighting on your behalf. Our seasoned DUI defense attorneys have achieved thousands of dismissals and successful results in courts across New Jersey, including those in Hopatcong, Sparta, Phillipsburg, Vernon, and Hackettstown, and we are prepared to put our knowledge and skill to work for you. Contact our offices today at 973-755-1695 to discuss your case and receive a cost-free consultation.

School Zone DWI Defense Lawyers in Hackettstown NJ

R.S. 39:4-50(g) defines a school zone as any school property used for school purposes which is owned by or leased to any elementary or secondary school or school board, or within 1,000 feet of such school property; a school crossing as defined in R.S. 39:1-1 if the municipality, by ordinance or resolution, has designated the school crossing as such; or a school crossing as defined in R.S. 39:1-1 knowing that juveniles are present if the municipality has not designated the school crossing as such by ordinance or resolution.

Additionally, a map or true copy of a map depicting the location and boundaries of the area on or within 1,000 feet of any property used for school purposes which is owned by or leased to any elementary or secondary school or school board may be used in a prosecution of a charge for DWI in a school zone. And, it shall not be relevant that the defendant was unaware that the prohibited conduct took place while on or within 1,000 feet of any school property or while driving through a school crossing. Nor shall it be relevant to the imposition of sentence that no juveniles were present on the school property or crossing zone at the time of the offense or that the school was not in session.

What Happens if You are Convicted of DWI in a New Jersey School Zone?

The penalties for a DWI in a school zone depend on whether it is a first, second, third or subsequent offense. For a first offense DWI in a school zone, the driver shall be fined not less than $500 or more than $800, imprisoned for not more than 60 days, attend the Intoxicated Driver’s Resource Center (“IDRC”) for 12 to 48 hours, and have his license to operate a motor vehicle suspended for a period of not less than one year or more than two years.

For a second offense DWI in a school zone, the driver shall be fined not less than $1,000 or more than $2,000, perform community service for a period of 60 days, be imprisoned for not less than 96 consecutive hours, which shall not be suspended or served on probation, nor more than 180 days, except that the court may lower such term for each day, not exceeding 90 days, served performing community service in such form and on such terms as the court shall deem appropriate under the circumstances, attend IDRC as deemed appropriate by treatment classification, and have his license to operate a motor vehicle suspended for a period of not less than four years.

For a third offense DWI in a school zone, the driver shall be fined $2,000, imprisoned for 180 days, attend IDRC as deemed appropriate by treatment classification and have his license to operate a motor vehicle suspended for a period of 20 years.

Vernon School Zone DWI Lawyers Fight for You

The DWI defense attorneys at the Tormey Law Firm have successfully defended countless clients accused of DWI in a school zone across the State of New Jersey. Whether you are charged with a first, second, third, or subsequent DWI in a school zone in Sussex County or Warren County, we are prepared to begin building your best defense strategy. For additional information and a free consultation, contact the Tormey Law Firm today.