New Jersey DWI Felony vs. Misdemeanor Calculator 2026

State-specific DWI cost estimates for New Jersey, including fines, attorney fees, the insurance increase, ignition interlock, and more.

Data verified May 2026

New Jersey DWI Cost Calculator

Enter your case details for a state-specific cost estimate.

BAC Level0.10%
0.08%0.30%

An injury or a death can make a case a felony whatever your record. This calculator prices those cases as a felony; for a lesser injury, some states allow a misdemeanor charge. A refused test or drugs changes the grading in some states; this calculator applies it only where we have read the state's law.

Your New Jersey DWI estimate will appear here

Answer the questions and press the button. You will get a low, typical and high figure, with each cost listed on its own line.

  • Uses this state's own fines, suspension and interlock rules
  • Market costs such as attorney fees are labelled as estimates
  • Free, and nothing to sign up for

New Jersey DWI FAQ

How much does a DWI cost in New Jersey?

Attorney fees for a first-offense DWI in New Jersey typically run $2,500 to $7,500 on our estimates, and the fine is $250 to $500 before court costs. Adding insurance, interlock, education, reinstatement and lost time from work, our calculator puts a typical first offense at about $14,795 (range $9,349 to $20,728) with its default answers; the median of our 50 state estimates is $17,615.

How long is your license suspended for a first DWI in New Jersey?

A first-offense DWI conviction in New Jersey carries no license suspension at the lowest penalty tier. A hardship or restricted license is not available during this period.

Is an ignition interlock device required in New Jersey for a first DWI?

Yes. New Jersey requires an ignition interlock device for 3 months following a first DWI conviction.

How long is SR-22 insurance required after a DWI in New Jersey?

New Jersey does not use SR-22 filings. You will need to maintain standard New Jersey auto insurance coverage.

Can a DWI be expunged in New Jersey?

New Jersey does not allow DWI convictions to be expunged. Some states have other ways to limit who can see a record, such as sealing, which this site does not cover yet.

New Jersey DWI figures this calculator uses

Felony at offense number
No count-based felony
Lookback period for prior offenses
10 years
Fine, third DWI
$1,000
High-BAC penalty tier
0.15% and above

Statutory figures were checked against New Jersey law (primary source) and last verified May 2026. Typical ranges are market estimates, not law; see our methodology.

Worked example

With the calculator's default answers (offense number: First offense; bac level at arrest: 0.10%; aggravating factors present: None):

CostTypical
Misdemeanor Defense Attorney Fees$5,000
Misdemeanor Fines and Court Costs$900
Estimated total (range $3,118 to $8,630)$5,900

Change the answers in the calculator above to see your own estimate.

On our estimates, a typical first-offense DWI in New Jersey comes to about $14,795, the 37th highest of the 50 states. The median of our 50 state estimates is $17,615. These come from the total-cost calculator with its default answers, not from a national survey.

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