A DUI charge, or N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 offense, is a motor vehicle violation that results from poor decision making. Individuals must be cognizant of the fact that their decisions ultimately affect those around them – their community, their families, and their loved ones. According to the Center for Disease Control, 1,816 people were killed in crashes involving a drunk driver in New Jersey between 2003 and 2012. Despite this sobering statistic, many other drivers have taken to the road after having too much to drink and have not had anything happen – no DUI charge, no injury, no death. But sometimes, a DUI charge is the best you can hope for.

Consider an incident that occurred last month in May of 2016 on Hulses Corner Road in Howell Township, New Jersey. A 54-year-old-man purportedly flipped off a fellow motorist while passing this individual, then lost control of his 1988 Corvette, flipping it over and landing in the front yard of another unsuspecting New Jersey resident. This driver was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and other motor vehicle offenses.

But are these offenses the best that he could have hoped for? The answer is, quite frankly, yes. This individual escaped the car crash unscathed. He exited the vehicle on his own volition and received only minor injuries. No one else was injured in the crash. Driving recklessly under the influence of alcohol could have potentially resulted in fatal injuries to the motorist that he passed, the residents of the home where his vehicle landed, and to himself. This individual should be grateful that the worst of his worries is a motor vehicle record.

In our society, it is very easy to think that our reactions do not affect others. Even with harsh penalties, some people think that they are invincible. Penalties for a DUI conviction include license suspension, the installment of an ignition interlock device, jail time, community service, probation, and fines, fees, and surcharges. For some people, the only time that they consider the consequences of their actions is when it is far too late when their luck runs out. For this man, hopefully, he will realize how lucky he was to walk away from the accident without causing any major injuries to himself or others.

Hiring a DUI Defense Lawyer In Ocean County

Will the charges stay on his driving record permanently? What is the best way to fight these charges? Does this individual need a DUI lawyer? For help answering these legal questions and more, contact the NJ law firm of Villani & DeLuca, P.C. for a free consultation. We have experience handling DUI cases throughout the State of New Jersey. These offenses are extremely serious and can potentially have life altering consequences. Carmine R. Villani, Esq., founding partner of Villani & DeLuca, P.C., is a former Municipal Prosecutor and has experience in both the prosecution and defense of DWI, DUI and refusal charges in New Jersey.