As an American citizen, your Second Amendment right is quintessential. You should never have to surrender that right, but unfortunately, when people are convicted of certain crimes, they may very well lose their right to own or purchase a firearm. If you recently received a DWI, you may wonder whether you’ll lose your right to gun ownership. Please read on and reach out to a dedicated Monmouth County criminal defense attorney from The Law Offices of George J. Mardinly to learn more about your Second Amendment rights and whether a DWI conviction will impact those rights. Here are some of the questions you may have:
Does a DWI on my record restrict me from owning a gun in New Jersey?
Though a conviction for driving while under the influence of alcohol can warrant a wide range of very serious penalties, the truth is, the only circumstances that may bar an individual from owning a gun after a DWI is if they’re convicted of a felony charge involving driving while under the influence of alcohol. This means that, in most cases, there must be certain aggravating factors present, as most standard DWI charges are considered traffic violations in New Jersey (not felonies). That said, as previously stated, aggravating factors, such as driving while intoxicated with a minor in the vehicle, injuring another due to driving while intoxicated, or receiving a second, third, or subsequent DWI within a certain time period may warrant felony charges. Upon conviction of a felony, you will no longer be allowed to own or purchase a firearm here in New Jersey.
What should I do if I’m accused of a felony crime in NJ?
If you’re accused of a crime of any sort, especially a felony crime, the most important thing you can do is retain competent legal representation who can combat your charges at every turn. Our legal team has extensive experience representing those accused of crimes, and we are prepared to put that experience to work for you in your case. Give us a call today so we can help you get the best outcome possible.
Contact our experienced Red Bank firm
If you require strong and dedicated representation for any family law, criminal defense, business law, real estate law, or estate planning matter, contact The Law Offices of George J. Mardinly to schedule a consultation.