If you’ve been charged with DUI, DWI, or a serious traffic offense in Somerville or anywhere in Somerset County, you’re probably asking one question first:
“What is going to happen to my driver’s license?”
New Jersey license suspension law is complicated and can feel confusing, especially when you are dealing with both a court case and letters from the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). This guide walks through what typically happens to your license after a DUI or serious traffic ticket — and how working with a local Somerville DUI and traffic defense attorney can help protect your ability to drive.
(This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different and should be reviewed with a lawyer.)
Two Systems, One Problem: Court vs. MVC
After a DUI, DWI, or serious traffic ticket in New Jersey, there are usually two tracks to think about:
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The court case
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Handles guilt or innocence.
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Imposes criminal or quasi-criminal penalties: fines, fees, possible jail, probation, classes, and sometimes license suspension.
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The Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC)
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Tracks points on your driving record.
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Imposes additional suspensions, surcharges, and ignition-interlock requirements.
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Can require reinstatement fees and sometimes special steps before you can drive again.
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Failing to deal with either one can lead to more problems. For example, even after the court case ends, the MVC can suspend your license or keep you suspended until you take certain steps.
A Somerville DUI, DWI & traffic defense attorney looks at both sides of your case so you’re not blindsided by “surprise” MVC consequences.
How a First New Jersey DUI Affects Your License
A first-offense DUI in New Jersey is serious, even if you’ve never been in trouble before. The exact license impact depends on several factors:
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Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
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Whether there was an accident or injuries
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Whether you’re also accused of refusing a breath test
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Your prior driving history
In a typical first-offense DUI scenario, you could face:
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A court-ordered period of license suspension or restricted driving with an ignition interlock
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Fines, surcharges, and mandatory classes
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Higher insurance premiums once you’re back on the road
A local Somerville DUI lawyer examines:
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Whether the traffic stop was legal
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How field sobriety tests were performed
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How the Alcotest machine was maintained and operated
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Whether all procedures were followed
If there are weaknesses in the state’s evidence, they can be used to push for reduced penalties, negotiate a better outcome, or challenge the case more aggressively.
Repeat DUI Offenses: Why the Stakes Are Higher
For a second or third DUI offense, the risk to your license goes up significantly:
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Longer periods of suspension or restricted driving
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Increased chances of jail time
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Larger fines and surcharges
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Even more severe insurance consequences
On repeat DUIs, it’s especially important to verify:
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Whether prior convictions are being counted correctly
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Whether out-of-state or very old cases are being used in a way the law actually allows
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Whether any prior case had issues that affect how it can be used now
An experienced Somerville DUI lawyer can dig into your history and look for legal arguments that may reduce your exposure or the way the court treats your record.
Serious Traffic Tickets That Threaten Your License
Not every dangerous situation on the road involves alcohol or drugs. Some cases start with a serious traffic ticket that can still put your license at risk, such as:
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Reckless driving
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Excessive speeding (especially far above the limit)
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Driving while suspended
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Leaving the scene of an accident
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No-insurance violations
These cases can lead to:
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Points that add up quickly
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Court-imposed suspensions and fines
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MVC suspensions separate from anything the judge orders
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Surcharges and long-term insurance problems
A Somerset County traffic ticket lawyer looks at:
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Whether the traffic stop or radar/pacing was done correctly
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Whether there are technical issues on the ticket
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Whether the officer’s observations support the specific charge
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Whether a reduction to a lower-point or no-point offense is realistic
Even a single serious traffic conviction can push you into suspension territory if you already have points on your record.
How New Jersey Points Work (and Why They Matter)
Points are the MVC’s way of keeping score on your driving. Each moving violation adds a certain number of points. Too many points can lead to:
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Administrative license suspension
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DMV surcharges
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Big jumps in your insurance rates
For example, a reckless driving conviction carries more points than a simple speeding ticket, and combinations of tickets can be worse than any one on its own.
When Christopher reviews a DUI or serious traffic case, he doesn’t just look at the immediate ticket — he looks at your full driving abstract to see:
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How many points you already have
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How the new ticket will interact with your record
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Whether it’s possible to negotiate to a lower-point—or no-point—offense
The goal is to protect your license now and reduce the chance of future suspensions.
Special Concerns for CDL Holders and People Who Drive for Work
If you drive for a living, a DUI or serious traffic offense can threaten your entire career:
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Commercial drivers (CDL) face stricter rules and harsher consequences.
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Rideshare drivers, delivery drivers, and people with company cars may face job loss or suspension.
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Some employers have policies that treat certain convictions as disqualifying, even if your license is technically valid.
In these cases, the strategy often focuses on:
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Avoiding specific types of convictions that may trigger automatic job consequences
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Protecting your CDL status where possible
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Limiting suspensions so you can show employers you’re taking the case seriously and working toward a solution
If you’re a CDL holder or your job depends on driving, make sure to tell your attorney right away so your defense plan takes this into account.
Why the Traffic Stop Itself Matters So Much
Whether you’re facing a DUI, DWI, or high-risk traffic ticket, your case usually starts with one event: a traffic stop.
Key questions include:
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Did the officer have a valid reason to pull you over?
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Were you lawfully asked to step out of the vehicle?
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Were tests or inspections done according to required procedures?
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Were your rights explained when they needed to be?
If the stop was unlawful or procedures weren’t followed, your attorney may be able to challenge:
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The admissibility of breath or blood tests in a DUI
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The reliability of speed measurements or officer observations in traffic cases
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Whether the state can use certain evidence at all
These issues can directly affect your license by changing the charges you face or the penalties that apply.
When to Talk to a Somerville DUI & Traffic Defense Lawyer
The best time to talk to a lawyer about a DUI or serious traffic ticket is as soon as possible after the stop or arrest. Early legal advice can help you:
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Avoid common mistakes that make things worse
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Preserve dashcam or bodycam footage before it disappears
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Understand immediate license risks and deadlines
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Build a defense strategy that covers both the court case and MVC consequences
Christopher G. Olsen’s practice includes defending people in Somerville and across Somerset County who are worried about losing their license, keeping their job, and protecting their record.
If you’re facing a DUI, DWI, or serious traffic offense, you don’t have to sort this out alone. A focused Somerville DUI, DWI & traffic defense attorney can explain your options and help you take the next step toward protecting your driving privileges.