Manchester DUI & DWI Lawyers

Fighting DWI Charges in Manchester, New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, most drivers are prohibited from operating any vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or more. The BAC limit for drivers under 21 is .02 percent, while commercial drivers have a .04 percent BAC limit.

What Happens During a DUI/DWI Arrest?

If a police officer pulls you over on suspicion of drunk driving, he or she will likely ask you a series of questions, followed by a request to take one or more field sobriety tests. The officer may then ask you to blow into a preliminary breath test device. The results of these tests, or the refusal to submit to any of them, may give the officer probable cause to arrest you if he or she believes you were driving while impaired to any extent. After a DWI/DUI arrest, a driver is taken to the police station and given the choice of a breath or blood test to determine his or her BAC level.

What Happens After Being Charged with a DWI in Manchester?

After being charged with DWI, you may face two battles: 

• criminal prosecution in state court; and 
• administrative penalties. 

Potential DUI/DWI Penalties in Manchester

If you are convicted in court, you may face a fine of at least $500, required participation in an impaired driver intervention program, and a driver’s license revocation. If the circumstances are aggravated, the sentence may also include mandatory jail time, residential treatment at your expense, and other penalties. In many cases, an effective and strong defense strategy can potentially lead to a more favorable outcome, including receiving a lesser charge, a favorable plea deal, or a dismissal of the charges.

This is why it is critical to obtain a qualified Manchester DUI lawyer who has a history of successful case results like Tenn and Tenn, PA.

Administrative License Suspension

In addition to criminal charges, there are also potential administrative penalties stemming from a drunk driving arrest. Under New Hampshire’s implied consent law, when you receive a driver’s license you consent to submit to a chemical test, such as a breathalyzer, blood, or urine test, if a police officer has probable cause to believe you have been driving while intoxicated. 

If you refuse to take a breathalyzer to determine your BAC, the officer must explain the implied consent law and warn you of its consequences. If you still refuse, you may face serious penalties, including an automatic administrative license suspension (ALS) after 30 days. 

Why Do You Need to Request an Administrative Hearing Right Away After a DUI or DWI Arrest in New Hampshire?

Failure to request an administrative hearing within the 30-day period will result in the automatic suspension of your driver license for at least six months, and possibly up to two years, depending on your prior record and the circumstances of the incident. While you do have the right to request a hearing within the 30-day period before the ALS goes into effect, it can be challenging to overcome, which is why retaining a qualified Manchester DWI defense attorney to represent you at the hearing and any subsequent appeal may be beneficial.