Bergenfield DUI Lawyer
Aggressive Criminal Defense Lawyer Fights for Clients Arrested on DWI/DUI Charges in Bergenfield and Throughout NJ.
I’m Anthony J. Vecchio, Esq. I’ve served as a municipal and now defend clients against DUI charges in Bergenfield and throughout NJ.
Only 15 minutes away from Manhattan, Bergenfield offers a range of local amenities. The area’s roads are often packed with commuters and visitors heading to and from New York City. As a result, the heavy traffic contributes to a frequent number of drunk driving arrests, with law enforcement consistently monitoring for people driving under the influence.
A DUI carries serious consequences – and not just in the short term. In addition to hefty fees and possible jail time, a DUI can lead to ramifications such as increased insurance rates, points on your driving record, and the loss of future job opportunities. This is why you need to get legal help right away if you are arrested for a DUI in Bergenfield.
The Law Offices of Anthony J. Vecchio, LLC, can provide the skilled and aggressive legal representation that you need. Over the course of his career, Anthony has adeptly handled thousands criminal, municipal, and appellate cases, including numerous cases involving DUI. His work has earned him recognition as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in New Jersey for six years (2012-2018), a Super Lawyer for Criminal Defense in 2019-2026 and helped our firm to achieve a 10-star Avvo rating.
A reputation for excellence, superior legal counsel, outstanding legal knowledge, and a personal dedication to fighting for justice are just some of the qualities the attorney Vecchio brings to each case. You can count on him to get to know the facts of your case, fight hard to protect your rights, and always put your interests first. Don’t wait to take action and start your DUI/DWI defense. Contact our office today and schedule an immediate consultation.
About Bergenfield, New Jersey
Bergenfield, NJ, is a suburban town located in Bergen County, just a few miles from New York City, with population of 28,274. It offers a mix of residential living with easy access to the city. To get there, take Route 4 West or Garden State Parkway North, depending on your starting point. If you’re coming from New York City, a quick route is to take the George Washington Bridge, follow Route 4 West, and then head to Bergenfield, which is just a short drive from the highway.
Bergenfield Municipal Court Information
Sitting between the Palisades Interstate Parkway and the Garden State Parkway, the Bergenfield Municipal Court is located at Municipal Building Room 301 198 N. Washington Avenue Bergenfield, NJ 07621101. The court office is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30AM to 4:30PM, Wednesday 9:30AM to 4:30PM, and the court office can be contacted directly at (201) 387-4055 Option 2 for Municipal Court.
The Bergenfield Municipal Court handles a variety of cases, including traffic violations, disorderly conduct, and domestic violence. For more information on the Bergenfield Municipal Court, please visit their website.
What You Should Know About a DUI/DWI Charge in Bergenfield
DWI and DUI, which mean “driving while intoxicated” and “driving under the influence,” are interchangeable terms in New Jersey. However, not all DWI/DUI charges in New Jersey are the same. DUIs are separated into three separate categories under state law:
- Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) between .08 and .10 percent
- BAC greater than .10 percent
- Driving while intoxicated in a school zone.
If you are a first-time offender and pulled over with an alleged BAC of between .08 and .10 percent, you face the following potential consequences:
- Loss of driving privileges for three months
- Between 12 hours and 30 days of jail time
- Between $250 and $400 in fines
- A $1,000 annual automobile insurance surcharge for three years
- Other fees and surcharges not in excess of $525
- Possible ignition interlock requirement
- Alcohol abuse assessment, in addition to other penalties.
Enhanced Penalties
If you were driving in a school zone, your fines may increase by as much as $500 to $800, and you could be sentenced an additional 60 days in jail. Instead of your license being suspended for three months, you could lose it for as long as two years.
If you are a second-time offender and/or if your alleged BAC was far above the legal limit, you could face second- or third-degree DUI penalties, which include fines of up to $1,000, a jail sentence between two and 180 days and between two and 10 years of license suspension. Your DUI charges may be more severe if you are charged with reckless driving, refusal to submit to a breath test, or driving with an open container.
As you can see, a DUI can have serious consequences on both your short-term and long-term future. You will protect that future by reaching out to our team at the Law Offices of Anthony J. Vecchio, LLC, to discuss your options for fighting the charges.
What Happens If Police Arrest You for a DWI in Bergenfield?
If you are stopped and suspected of driving under the influence in Bergenfield, the first thing law enforcement will do is test you. To do this, they will take you to a location such as the New Jersey State Police’s Troop B station or the Bergenfield Police Department. The police may also ask you to submit to a blood test or, in rare cases, to provide a urine sample. You may be tempted to refuse a test. It will depend on your circumstances. A refusal could potentially harm your defense.
Let your DUI defense attorney do the fighting on your behalf. For instance, because blood and urine samples need to be sent out for testing, mistakes can occur at different points in the process. Our team will thoroughly investigate both the police force’s processes as well as the lab’s conduct and look for any basis to throw out the test results.
You should never fight a DUI on your own. DUIs are serious. The prosecution does not treat them lightly. If the charges stand, you face fines, jail time, and life-altering consequences. The best thing you can do for your future is to reach out to a skilled attorney who understands the court system and who will help you to successfully navigate it.
How Can a Bergenfield DUI/DWI Defense Lawyer Help You?
Anthony began his career as an intern in the trial unit of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office. He went on to intern for the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender after that, where he also later served as a designated attorney. Eventually, he joined a private practice, where he served as a criminal defense and personal injury attorney for 17 years.
With this background, Anthony has the skills, experience, and knowledge that it takes to defend your rights. He also understands the risks that people expose themselves to when they do not get legal help with their DUI charge. He will know how to protect your rights and pursue all possible defenses in your case. Depending on the facts of your situation, those defenses could include the following.
Potential Defenses
- The police lacked probable cause or reasonable suspicion to stop you
- Police failed to comply with New Jersey’s “20-minute rule”
- The police violated your Miranda rights
- The prosecution committed discovery violations
- Confusion (including hearing aid-related confusion) leading to a refusal
- Problems with the testing of your breath, blood or urine.
If you are not fully aware of your rights, it is not a good idea to try to defend yourself. A practiced and knowledgeable attorney like Anthony will be familiar with all of your rights and able to if they were violated. In many cases, a violation of a DWI defendant’s rights can lead to suppression of evidence and, in turn, the dismissal of the charge.
Anthony will also be upfront with you. He will advise you about the pros and cons of entering a plea. His goal will be to ensure that you make a fully informed decision, and he will never pressure you to enter a plea. If you choose to plead guilty, he will work hard to minimize the consequences for you.
You Deserve an Experienced Bergenfield DUI Attorney
Everybody – no matter what charges they face – deserves a chance to fight for their freedom and protect their rights. If you were arrested for driving under the influence in Bergenfield or surrounding another areas in NJ, call the Law Offices of Anthony J. Vecchio, LLC, to discuss your case. We will get to know the facts of your case, fight tirelessly for you and always keep your best interests at heart. When you are ready to defend your future, contact our office for timely and confidential consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I have to take the field sobriety tests?
Unlike the implied consent law that requires you to provide breath samples for the alcotest or breathalyzer, you are not obligated to undergo field sobriety tests. The Bergenfield police use these tests mainly to gather evidence to build a case against you, not to help you. While we always recommend being courteous and respectful to officers, we advise that if you’re not fully confident in your ability to complete the tests, there is no law that forces you to take part. Keep in mind that this applies only to field tests, not the Alcotest, which has its own set of penalties for refusal.
Is there a distinction between DUI and DWI?
Although the terms Driving under the Influence (DUI) and Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) vary slightly, they essentially refer to the same offense. In New Jersey, both terms are associated with N.J.S.A. 39:4-50, the law governing drunk driving.
Anthony J. Vecchio, Esq.
Former Prosecutor | NJ DUI & Criminal Defense Attorney
Law Office of Anthony J. Vecchio, LLC
(732) 303-7341
Last updated: October 3, 2026
