People who are facing drunk driving charges in New Jersey can face a variety of penalties if they’re convicted of the charge. These can include time in prison, fines, mandatory participation in certain programs and other penalties.
For some, the court will require them to use an ignition interlock device. This device is required for a person who has initial blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15% or higher. It’s also required for people who are convicted of repeat drunk driving convictions.
How does the ignition interlock work?
This is a device that measures the driver’s BAC before the vehicle will start. If the result is too high, the ignition won’t start. If the vehicle does start, the ignition interlock may signal a need for another sample while the vehicle is in motion, which requires the driver to pull over as soon as possible and blow into the device.
The cost of the ignition interlock is the responsibility of the driver. They have to pay for the initial installation, maintenance and monitoring. The device has to be inspected and maintained on a set schedule, and the results are transmitted to the court-appointed monitoring authority.
The ignition interlock device requirement can greatly impact the driver’s life because they can’t operate any vehicle that doesn’t have one. Seeking legal assistance can help defendants to learn about their options for a defense strategy. This may help them to determine if there’s a way they can mitigate the penalties they’re going to have to deal with.