WHAT PENALTIES
DRUNK DRIVING DEFENDANTS FACE
 
Factors That Aggravate and Mitigate
 
Courts often consider these circumstances to be aggravating and the defendant, therefore, deserving of greater punishment than the court would ordinarily impose:
• an accident and its victims input
• high breathalyzer readings (say 0.15 or more, depending on the court)
• bad driving record
• offenses soon after restoration of driving privileges
• poor relations with the police officers involved
• unusual or dangerous driving leading to the police stop
 
Courts also consider mitigating circumstances, which indicate that the defendant deserves less punishment:
• low breathalyzer readings
• good driving record
• good relations with the police officers involved
• otherwise careful or nonexistent driving
• rehabilitation efforts
• adverse affect on employment and family
 
However, the court can impose no less than minimum penalties required by law.
 
Statutory Penalties
Penalties for drunk driving and breath test refusal are very serious. Although not considered "crimes" in New Jersey, those who are convicted of these offenses are punished more severely than many people convicted of crimes. The current statutory penalties for drunk driving and breath test refusal, listed with the statutory reference authorizing each penalty, follow:
• Drunk Driving: First Offense Penalties
• Drunk Driving: Second Offense Penalties
• Drunk Driving: Third Offense Penalties
• Breath Test Refusal: First Offense Penalties
• Breath Test Refusal: Second Offense Penalties
• Breath Test Refusal: Third Offense Penalties
• Underage Operation With Blood Alcohol Content in Excess of 0.01%

 

DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED: FIRST OFFENSE PENALTIES

N.J.S.  

 Type of Penalty
 

 Penalty Amount
 

 Court Imposed Penalties
   
 39:4-50(a) Fine   $250- 400
 39:4-50.8 Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund surcharge   $100
 22A:3-4 Court costs   $3 - 30
 2C:43-3.1 Victims of Crime Compensation Board penalty   $50
 2C:43-3.2 Safe Neighborhood Services Fund surcharge   $75
 39:5-39 Physician's fee   $0- 20
 39:4-50(a) Intoxicated Driver Resource Center     12-48 hours
 39:4-50(a) Imprisonment    0-30 days
39:4-50(a) Forfeiture of driving privileges<1>    6-12 months 
39:3-10.20   Forfeiture of commercial driving privilege<2>    one year-life
       
 

Bureau of Alcohol Countermeasures
   
39:4-50(b) Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation, and Enforcement Fund    $100
       
 39:4-50(f) Intoxicated Driver Resource Center Costs of further education and/or
treatment		   $150- 200
       
 

Division of Motor Vehicles
   
 39:3-10a Driver License Restoration Fee   $50
 17:29A-35.b(2) Merit Rating Plan Surcharge<3>   $3,000-4,500
 17:29A-35.b(3) Merit Rating Plan point assessment   $525- 675
       
 

 Other Consequences
   
 17:29C-7 Cancellation of automobile insurance "of the named insured or of any other operator who either resides in the same household or customarily operates an automobile insured under the policy"
Insurance premium increases
Sentence enhancement on subsequent convictions of N.J.S. 39:4-50, N.J.S. 39:4-50.2, and N.J.S. 39:3-40 
 
 
 39:6A-4.5(b) No cause of action permitted for recovery of economic or noneconomic loss sustained as a result of the accident 
NOTES:
<1> Restoration of driving privileges is NOT automatic and is subject to Division of Motor Vehicles approval. N.J.S. 39:4-50
<2> "[A] court shall suspend for not less than one year nor more than three years the commercial motor vehicle driving privilege of a person for a first violation" of N.J.S. 39:4-50, 39:4-129, 2C:1-4, 39:4-50.2, or 39:3-10.24 involving a commercial vehicle.
<3> Merit Rating Plan Surcharge is $4,500 if three events including convictions under either N.J.S. 39:4-50 or N.J.S. 39:4-50.4a occur within three years of each other.
       

DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED: SECOND OFFENSE PENALTIES
 N.J.S.

Type of Penalty
  Penalty Amount
 

 Court Imposed Penalties 
 
 39:4-50(a) Fine    $ 500-1,000
 39:4-50.8 Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund surcharge     $ 100
 22A:3-4 Court costs    $ 3- 30
 2C:43-3.1 Victims of Crime Compensation Board penalty    $ 50
 2C:43-3.2 Safe Neighborhood Services Fund surcharge    $ 75
 39:5-39 Physician's fee    $ 0- 20
 39:4-50(a) Imprisonment<1>    2-90 days
 39:4-50(a) Community service<2>    30 days
 39:4-50(a) Forfeiture of driving privileges<3>    2 years
 39:3-10.20 Forfeiture of commercial driving privilege     ife
       

 Bureau of Alcohol Countermeasures
 39:4-50(b) Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation, and Enforcement Fund   $100
 39:4-50(f) Intoxicated Driver Resource Center   $150- 200
  Costs of further education and/or treatment    $?
       

 Division of Motor Vehicles
 39:3-10a Driver License Restoration Fee    $50
 17:29A-35.b(2) Merit Rating Plan Surcharge<4>    $3,000-4,500
 17:29A-35.b(3) Merit Rating Plan point assessment    $ 525- 675
       

 Other Consequences
17:29C-7  Cancellation of automobile insurance "of the named insured or of any other operator who either resides in the same household or customarily operates an automobile insured under the policy Insurance premium increases.
Sentence enhancement on subsequent convictions of N.J.S. 39:4-50, N.J.S. 39:4-50.2, and N.J.S. 39:3-40 
 39:6A-4.5(b) No cause of action permitted for recovery of economic or noneconomic loss sustained as a result of the accident 
 NOTES:
<1>Imprisonment may be commuted to 48 hours IDRC attendance and inpatient rehabilitation treatment.
<2>One day of community service equals six (6) hours to be served at the rate of at least one day per week.
<3>Restoration of driving privileges is subject to Division of Motor Vehicles approval on application made two years or more after conviction.
<4>Merit Rating Plan Surcharge is $4,500 if three events including convictions under either N.J.S. 39:4-50 or N.J.S. 39:4-50.4a occur within three years of each other.
       

DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED: THIRD OFFENSE PENALTIES
 N.J.S. Type of Penalty Penalty    Amount
 

 Court Imposed Penalties
   
 39:4-50(a) Fine    $1,000
 39:4-50.8 Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund   $100
 22A:3-4 Court costs    $3- 30
 2C:43-3.1 Victims of Crime Compensation Board   50
 2C:43-3.2 Safe Neighborhood Services Fund   $75
 39:5-39 Physician's fee    $0- 20
 39:4-50(a) Imprisonment<1>    180 days
 39:4-50(a) Forfeiture of driving privileges<2>    10 years
 39:3-10.20 Forfeiture of commercial driving privilege   life 
 39:4-50(b) Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation, and Enforcement Fund    100
       
 

 Division of Motor Vehicles
   
 39:3-10a Driver License Restoration Fee    $50
 17:29A-35.b(2) Merit Rating Plan Surcharge<3>     $3,000-4,500
 17:29A-35.b(3) Merit Rating Plan point assessment     $525- 675
       
 

 Other Consequences
   
 17:29C-7 Cancellation of automobile insurance "of the named insured or of any other operator who either resides in the same household or customarily operates an automobile insured under the policy"
Insurance premium increases
Sentence enhancement on subsequent convictions of N.J.S. 39:4-50.2 and N.J.S. 39:3-40
39:6A-4.5(b) No cause of action permitted for recovery of economic or noneconomic loss sustained as a result of the accident
 NOTES:
<1> Minimum term of imprisonment may be commuted to inpatient rehabilitation treatment, outpatient rehabilitation services, and 90 days (540 hours) of community service.
<2> Restoration of driving privileges is subject to Division of Motor Vehicles approval on application made 10 years or more after conviction.
<3> Merit Rating Plan Surcharge is $4,500 if three events including convictions under either N.J.S. 39:4-50 or N.J.S. 39:4-50.4a occur within three years of each other.
       

 BREATH TEST REFUSAL: FIRST OFFENSE PENALTIES
 N.J.S.

Type of Penalty 
   Penalty Amount
 

 Court Imposed Penalties
   
 39:4-50.4a Fine    $250- 500
 22A:3-4 Court costs    $3- 30
 39:4-50.8 Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund     $100
 39:4-50.4a Intoxicated Driver Resource Center    12-48 hours
 39:4-50.4a Revocation of driving privileges<1>    6 months
 39:3-10.20 Forfeiture of commercial driving privilege<2>    one year-life
       

 Bureau of Alcohol Countermeasures
 39:4-50(b) Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation, and Enforcement Fund   $100
 39:4-50(f) Intoxicated Driver Resource Center   $150- 200
  Costs of further education and/or treatment    $?
       

 Division of Motor Vehicles
 39:3-10a Driver License Restoration Fee    $50
 17:29A-35.b(2) Merit Rating Plan Surcharge<3>     $3,000-4,500
 17:29A-35.b(3) Merit Rating Plan point assessment     $525- 675
       

 Other Consequences
 17:29C-7
Cancellation of automobile insurance "of the named insured or of any other operator who either resides in the same household or customarily operates an automobile insured under the policy" Insurance premium increases
Sentence enhancement on subsequent convictions of N.J.S. 39:4-50.2 and N.J.S. 39:3-40 
 
 
 39:6A-4.5(b)
No cause of action permitted for recovery of economic or noneconomic loss sustained as a result of the accident 
 NOTES:
<1>Restoration of driving privileges is NOT automatic and is subject to Division of Motor Vehicles approval.
<2>"[A] court shall suspend for not less than one year nor more than three years the commercial motor vehicle driving privilege of a person for a first violation" of N.J.S. 39:4-50, 39:4-129, 2C:1-4, 39:4-50.2, or 39:3-10.24 involving a commercial vehicle.
<3>Merit Rating Plan Surcharge applies whether conviction is under N.J.S. 39:4-50, N.J.S. 39:4-50.4a, or both. Merit Rating Plan Surcharge is $4,500 if three events including convictions under either N.J.S. 39:4-50 or N.J.S. 39:4-50.4a occur within three years of each other.
       

 BREATH TEST REFUSAL: SECOND OFFENSE<1> PENALTIES
 N.J.S.

 Type of Penalty
   Penalty Amount
 

 Court Imposed Penalties
   
 39:4-50.4a Fine    $250- 500
 22A:3-4 Court costs    $3- 30
 39:4-50.8 Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund surcharge    $100
 39:4-50.4a Intoxicated Driver Resource Center    12-48 hours
 39:4-50.4a Revocation of driving privileges<2>    2 years
 39:3-10.20 Forfeiture of commercial driving privilege    life
       

 Bureau of Alcohol Countermeasures
 39:4-50(b) Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation, and Enforcement Fund   $100
 39:4-50(f) Intoxicated Driver Resource Center fees    $50- 200
  Costs of further education and/or treatment    $ ?
       

  Division of Motor Vehicles
 39:3-10a Driver License Restoration Fee    $50
 17:29A-35.b(2) Merit Rating Plan Surcharge<3>   $3,000-4,500
 17:29A-35.b(3) Merit Rating Plan point assessment    $525- 675
       
 

 Other Consequences
   
 17:29C-7
Cancellation of automobile insurance "of the named insured or of any other operator who either resides in the same household or customarily operates an automobile insured under the policy"
Insurance premium increases
Sentence enhancement on subsequent convictions of N.J.S. 39:4-50.2 and N.J.S. 39:3-40 
 39:6A-4.5(b)
No cause of action permitted for recovery of economic or noneconomic loss sustained as a result of the accident 
       
 NOTES:
<1> Most municipal courts treat a prior conviction of N.J.S. 39:4-50 as equivalent to a prior conviction of N.J.S. 39:4-50.2 for sentencing. See State v. Fielding, 290 N.J.Super. 191 (App.Div. 1996); State v. Tekel, 281 N.J.Super. 502 (App.Div. 1995). Cf. In re Bergwell, 85 N.J. 382 (1981). But see State v. DiSomma, 262 N.J.Super. 375 (App.Div. 1993).
<2> Restoration of driving privileges is NOT automatic and is subject to Division of Motor Vehicles approval.
<3> Merit Rating Plan Surcharge applies whether conviction is under N.J.S. 39:4-50, N.J.S. 39:4-50.4a, or both. Merit Rating Plan Surcharge is $4500 if three events including convictions under either N.J.S. 39:4-50 or N.J.S. 39:4-50.4a occur within three years of each other.
       

 BREATH TEST REFUSAL: THIRD OFFENSE<1> PENALTIES
 N.J.S.

 Type of Penalty
   Penalty Amount
 

 Court Imposed Penalties
   
 39:4-50.4a Fine    $250- 500
 22A:3-4 Court costs    $3- 30
 39:4-50.8 Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund   $100
 39:4-50.4a Intoxicated Driver Resource Center    12-48 hours
 39:4-50.4a Revocation of driving privileges<2>    10 years
 39:3-10.20 Forfeiture of commercial driving privilege    life
       

 Bureau of Alcohol Countermeasures
 39:4-50(b) Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation, and Enforcement Fund    $100
 39:4-50(f) Intoxicated Driver Resource Center   $150- 200
  Costs of further education and/or treatment    $?
       
 

  Division of Motor Vehicles
   
 39:3-10a Driver License Restoration Fee    $50
 17:29A-35.b(2) Merit Rating Plan Surcharge<3>    $3,000-4,500
 17:29A-35.b(3) Merit Rating Plan point assessment    $525- 675
       
 

 Other Consequences
   
 17:29C-7 Cancellation of automobile insurance "of the named insured or of any other operator who either resides in the same household or customarily operates an automobile insured under the policy"
Insurance premium increases
Sentence enhancement on subsequent convictions of N.J.S. 39:4-50.2 and N.J.S. 39:3-40
 39:6A-4.5(b) No cause of action permitted for recovery of economic or noneconomic loss sustained as a result of the accident 
       
 NOTES:
<1> Most municipal courts treat a prior conviction of N.J.S. 39:4-50 as equivalent to a prior conviction of N.J.S. 39:4-50.2 for sentencing. See State v. Fielding, 290 N.J.Super. 191 (App.Div. 1996); State v. Tekel, 281 N.J.Super. 502 (App.Div. 1995). Cf. In re Bergwell, 85 N.J. 382 (1981). But see State v. DiSomma, 262 N.J.Super. 375 (App.Div.
1993).
<2> Restoration of driving privileges is NOT automatic and is subject to Division of Motor Vehicles approval.
<3> Merit Rating Plan Surcharge applies whether conviction is under N.J.S. 39:4-50, N.J.S. 39:4-50.4a, or both. Merit Rating Plan Surcharge is $4500 if three events including convictions under either N.J.S. 39:4-50 or N.J.S. 39:4-50.4a occur within three years of each other.
       

 UNDERAGE OPERATION WITH A BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT IN EXCESS OF 0.01IN VIOLATION N.J.S. 39:4-50.14
 N.J.S.

 Type of Penalty
   Penalty Amount
 

 Court Imposed Penalties
   
 39:4-203 Fine    $0- 50
 22A:3-4 Court costs    $3- 30
 39:4-50.14 Intoxicated Driver Resource Center    12-48 hours
 39:4-50.14 Forfeiture of driving privileges<1>    30-90 days
 39:4-50.14 Community service<2>    15-30 days
       
 

 Division of Motor Vehicles
   
 39:3-10a Driver License Restoration Fee    $50
       
 

 Bureau of Alcohol Countermeasures
   
 39:4-50(f) Intoxicated Driver Resource Center fees    $150- 200
       
 

 Other Consequences
   
 17:29C-7 Cancellation of automobile insurance "of the named insured or of any other operator who either resides in the same household or customarily operates an automobile insured under the policy"
Insurance premium increases 
       
 NOTES:
<1> The penalties imposed for a violation of N.J.S. 39:4-50.14 "shall be in addition to any penalties the court may impose under...any other law," including penalties under N.J.S. 2C:33-15, N.J.S. 33:1-81, N.J.S. 39:4-50, and N.J.S. 39:4-50.2
<2> One day of community service equals six (6) hours to be served at the rate of at least one day per week.





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