Fines account for a major part in the punishments for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) offenses in New Jersey. There is a gradation in the amount according to the offender's driving history and the gravity of the offense. If a first-time offender is found to have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of more than 0.08% but less than 0.1% he can be fined anything between $250 and $400. But if the alcohol level is 0.1% or more, the fine would be in the $300 - $500 range. For a second offender the fine will be between $500 and $1,000. A third offense attracts a fine of $1,000. These are imposed either on conviction or on the accused pleading guilty. The Administrative Procedure Act may also come into play in DWI cases. For driving through a school zone with a BAC above permissible limits, or for driving through a school crossing in such a condition, fines in the range of $500-$800 for the first offense and between $1,000 and $2,000 for a second offense. For a third offense the stipulated fine is $2,000. A copy of the conviction record is sent to the Intoxicated Driving Program Unit. The offender has to pay a fee of $100 to the Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation and Enforcement Fund. Apart from all these, the court may also assess a surcharge of $100. Out of this, $50 goes to the municipality where the conviction took place and $50 to the General Fund of the Treasurer of the State of New Jersey. Other fines, fees and charges in DWI cases in New Jersey include the New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commission (formerly New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles) surcharge of $1,000 to $1,500 for three years. These may be interest-bearing. The list goes on: DWI Enforcement Fund, Violent Crime Compensation Fund $75, Safe Neighborhood Fund $200, New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commission Restoration Charge $200, and IDRC outpatient counseling charges of varying amounts. Court fees and legal charges are of course extra. |
