How does bankruptcy relate to DWI in New Jersey?

Most people are surprised to learn that bankruptcy law can be applied to shield a convicted driver from the motor vehicle commission's collection of the thousands of dollars in surcharges drivers are ordered to pay. Bankruptcy cannot, however, discharge the actual court fines and penalties that arise from the DWI conviction. However, the bankruptcy courts in NJ have ruled that the bankruptcy's automatic stay must be obeyed by the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission. Thus a driver who has restored his driver's license after a DWI conviction will have one less onerous penalty to worry about paying by filing bankruptcy. The bankruptcy filing does not prevent the driver from restoring his license either. Although the driver must still pay the restoration fee to restore his driving privileges.

Mr. Gomez has successfully filed bankruptcy for many drivers who, due to mounting debts, were unable to pay for the DMV surcharges associated with a DWI conviction. These previous clients were very grateful for this legal assitance and have been able to restore their driving privileges and return to work in order to pay the exorbitant insurance premiums that are slapped on drivers who are convicted of DWI.