An arrest for driving while intoxicated DWI can affect your social standing and career. The more people that find out about the offense, the more likely it is for others to judge you or even exclude you from social events involving alcohol. You may want to keep the whole thing as quiet as possible. Some people go so far as to plead guilty to criminal charges because they want to stay out of court. What these individuals don't consider is that their convictions then become part of the public record. Perhaps even worse, they will likely have to install a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID) in their vehicle after a guilty plea or conviction for a New Jersey DWI offense.
Even first offenses will lead to a BAIID requirement
A BAIID is a device installed in your vehicle to monitor the level of alcohol in your bloodstream. Drivers subject to BAIID requirements must pay to install a BAIID in their vehicle and then present it for frequent maintenance and calibration by professionals. Every time the driver starts their car, they will have to perform a breath test. They may also need to perform tests while the vehicle is in motion. If they fail the test, not only will the state find out about that failure, but they won't be able to drive the vehicle. Once someone is subject to a BAIID restriction on their license, it is illegal for them to drive a vehicle without a BAIID installed until the state lifts the requirement.
How long must you keep the BAIID in your vehicle?
The length of time that you will have a BAIID in your vehicle can be anywhere from a few months to several years. Both your prior driving record and your blood alcohol concentration at the time of your arrest will influence how long you are subject to the BAIID requirement. Repeat offenders and those with higher blood alcohol concentration are subject to longer BAIID requirements on their licenses.
A BAIID makes it hard to hide a conviction
When you have to perform a breath test to start your vehicle, anyone who sees you start your vehicle will know that you have a history involving drunk driving. Avoiding an IID requirement is more difficult now than in the past because of the requirement to install one even after a first offense. Only a successful defense against pending DWI charges will successfully eliminate the requirement to install an IID in your vehicle after a DWI arrest. Fighting DWI charges can help you avoid the frustrating and sometimes life-altering penalties that they carry.
