If you're a licensed Occupational Therapist in New Jersey, you already know how much effort went into earning your credentials. You've passed your exams, built your reputation, and committed yourself to helping others. But a single DWI charge can put all of that at risk.
DWI—driving while intoxicated—is a criminal charge in New Jersey. It doesn't matter if it's your first offense or if your blood alcohol content (BAC) was barely above the legal limit. If you're charged, you're now facing a legal system that doesn't make exceptions for professionals trying to do the right thing.
For Occupational Therapists, a DWI charge isn't just about court fines or a temporary license suspension. It can affect your career, your standing with your licensing board, and even your ability to work in certain healthcare settings. Employers may ask about the charge. So might patients or supervising clinicians. It becomes more than a legal issue—it becomes a reputational one.
And while many law firms handle DWI defense or licensing issues separately, few can do both well. That's where the Lento Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team stands apart. The team understands how to defend against criminal allegations while also knowing how those allegations may affect your professional license. You shouldn't have to hire multiple lawyers or bounce between firms. You need a legal team that understands both sides of the problem.
Call the Lento Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team at 888-535-3686 or contact us online to defend your license and your future.
Understanding DWI Charges in New Jersey (Not Just a Traffic Offense)
DWI laws in New Jersey are strict. A DWI charge is not the same as a traffic ticket. It's a criminal offense that comes with real penalties and long-term consequences.
Here's what you should know:
- A BAC of 0.08% or higher is considered legally intoxicated in New Jersey. However, even a lower BAC can result in charges if there's evidence of impaired driving.
- Refusing to take a breathalyzer test can lead to an automatic license suspension and added penalties.
- For drivers under the age of 21, New Jersey has a zero-tolerance policy. Any detectable alcohol can result in charges.
DWI penalties in New Jersey include:
- Fines and court costs: First-time offenses can include $250–$500 in fines, plus hundreds in mandatory fees and surcharges.
- Mandatory alcohol education or treatment: The Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) program is typically required.
- Possible jail time, even for a first offense: Up to 30 days for a first DWI conviction.
- Driver's license suspension: Anywhere from 3 months to 1 year, depending on BAC and prior history.
- Installation of an ignition interlock device: Often required during and after suspension periods.
It's important to understand that a DWI charge creates a criminal record. That record doesn't just affect your driving. It can impact housing applications and employment opportunities, and most relevant here is your career as an Occupational Therapist.
What DWI Means for Licensed Healthcare Professionals (Especially OTs)
Occupational Therapists face a unique kind of risk when charged with a DWI. Beyond the courtroom, there are professional rules, ethics codes, and licensing boards to consider.
Here are just a few of the ways a DWI can affect your status as an OT:
- A DWI arrest may lead to a board investigation or discipline, even before your case is resolved. Many licensing boards are required to report disciplinary actions linked to criminal behavior.
- Board investigations may be triggered. These can lead to additional scrutiny, required monitoring, or disciplinary action.
- Your record can affect your ability to renew your license. Some applications require disclosure of any criminal history.
- Employers might reconsider your role or responsibilities. Some facilities may require clean background checks for certain departments.
- Insurance panels may remove you. If you're an OT who bills insurance, a criminal record might limit which plans you can work with.
The long-term damage is not always immediate, but it adds up. Even if you avoid formal license suspension, you may find doors quietly closing.
That's why it matters to have a defense strategy that considers your criminal case and your license. One doesn't exist in a vacuum. Both affect your ability to keep working.
Substance Use and OTs: Why This Happens More Often Than You Think
The stress of healthcare work didn't start during the pandemic, but the last few years made things worse. Occupational Therapists across the country reported higher levels of burnout, isolation, and substance use.
The result? More criminal charges involving alcohol and more careers are put at risk.
Studies show that healthcare professionals have increasing rates of substance misuse. But many cases never get reported.
Here's what the research tells us:
- According to the National Library of Medicine, alcohol use disorder is frequently underdiagnosed among healthcare workers.
- Substance use among licensed professionals is often hidden due to fear of stigma or career damage.
- OTs and other hands-on providers may delay treatment or intervention until a crisis happens, like a DWI arrest.
- According to Alcohol.org, substance misuse increased in healthcare fields post-pandemic due to emotional strain, exposure to trauma, and irregular work schedules.
Occupational Therapists are not immune to stress. But the system doesn't always offer second chances. If you're charged with a DWI, the legal response may be clinical and unsympathetic, regardless of your past performance or intent to get help.
That's why it's critical to have the right legal defense from the beginning. Not just someone who understands DWI charges, but someone who understands what that charge means for a healthcare professional trying to stay licensed.
What Makes the Lento Law Firm Different
Many law firms can handle a basic DWI case. Others may know how to help someone protect their license. But very few firms understand how to do both.
The Lento Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team has deep knowledge of New Jersey's DWI laws. They also know how those criminal cases intersect with professional license investigations.
When an OT is charged with DWI, the firm takes a comprehensive approach:
- They examine both the criminal and licensing consequences.
- They avoid moves in court that might hurt you with your board.
- They look for ways to reduce visibility to licensing agencies.
That level of strategy can make a difference in whether you face one problem or two.
How the Lento Law Firm Can Help:
- Review the stop, arrest, and test procedures for errors or violations. Look for constitutional defenses or mishandled evidence
- Identify opportunities for reduced charges or alternate outcomes. Explore pre-trial options that may keep your record clean
- Help you prepare a legally accurate disclosure (when required). Avoid admissions that damage your case or license
- Respond to Board inquiries if they arise. Align the tone of all legal communications across both arenas
DWI cases move fast in New Jersey. You may have a court date within days of your arrest. Licensing issues can follow closely behind. If you wait too long to get defense counsel, you risk losing the chance to protect your record and license proactively.
What Happens If You Wait Too Long to Get Legal Help
Every day counts when you're charged with DWI. Early steps like reviewing evidence, preparing court strategy, or clarifying reporting obligations can dramatically change how things unfold. But once court or board deadlines pass, options narrow. It becomes harder to challenge charges or limit exposure, and those gaps can quietly damage both your record and your license.
Failing to act early doesn't just increase criminal risks. It also opens the door to licensing trouble. If you miss a reporting deadline or respond incorrectly to a board inquiry, you could trigger additional review, even if the underlying charge might've been manageable. Worse, silence can be misread as avoidance. That kind of impression can follow you long after the court case ends. Even therapists who believe their case is “no big deal” have seen their records or reputations damaged by small missteps early on.
That's why timing is everything. Early legal intervention isn't just about defending your rights in court—it's also about protecting the bigger picture: your career, your income, your professional standing. When the Lento Law Firm steps in early, its Criminal Defense Team works to contain the damage before it spreads. That might mean advising on what to say to your employer, handling criminal court filings carefully, or pushing for outcomes that won't haunt you at renewal time. The longer you wait, the fewer those options become.
Early defense planning isn't about overreacting—it's about protecting everything you've worked for. Criminal records and board complaints don't wait to catch up. The sooner you understand the risks, the more options you'll have to control the outcome and move forward without lasting damage to your license or reputation.
If you're an OT facing a DWI charge, you need a criminal defense strategy that accounts for your license, your career, and your future. Call the Lento Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team in New Jersey at 888-535-3686 or contact us here.
