How is a School Zone DUI different from a regular DUI?
When you are pulled over by an officer for DUI within 1,000 feet of school property (NJS 39:4-50g), including a school crossing zone, the penalties increase from a regular DUI (NJS 39:4-50). NOT knowing that you were within 1,000 feet of school property or driving through a school crossing zone is NOT a valid defense, even if there were no minors present at the time of the offense, or that school wasn’t in session.
Remember that with a regular DUI you can spend up to 30 days in jail. With a DUI received in a school zone, you can serve up to 60 days in jail. And there are more consequences:
- You can lose your license for one to two years, instead of 3 or 7 months.
- You will incur a higher fine of $500 to $800, so that the total fines add up to $1,294 to $1,594, excluding insurance surcharges or increase in premiums.
In this offense, if your BAC is less than .15%, you may be forced to install an interlock device for six months to a year after the end of your license suspension. If your BAC is .15% or greater, you will be forced to install an interlock device for six months to a year after the end of your license suspension.
What if this is your Second DUI in a school zone (NJS 39:4-50g)?
How is this different from a REGULAR second offense DUI ?
1. You will have a higher fine of $1,000 to $2,000, so the total fines are added to $1,894 to $2,844, rather than $1,344 to $1,844, excluding any insurance surcharges or increases in insurance premiums.
2. You will experience mandatory imprisonment of four to 180 days. The court may authorize two days through IDRC and up to 90 days through community service.
3. You will lose your license for FOUR YEARS, rather than two years. This term begins after you get out of jail.
4. You will volunteer for 60 days of community service, rather than 30 days.
5. You will have to complete a DWI alcohol countermeasures screening and evaluation program.
So What Do I Do?
If you live out of New Jersey and received a ticket/DUI in Monmouth or Ocean Counties, you can
- Download our free traffic ticket book “Why Pleading Guilty to your New Jersey Traffic Ticket is NOT an option by clicking on the title,”
- Download our DUI book, “Arrested for Drunk Driving? Learn How to Beat the Odds,”
- On the menu on the right you will find our immigration books including a tool to help you figure out if you qualify for legal status,
- You contact me through this site or the chat feature; or
- You can call our knowledgeable staff at 888-695-6169.
