The Penalties Associated with DWI Charges

Being charged with a DUI is a serious matter. It is not a situation you want to find yourself in. The fines and consequences that can come out of a charge can be quite hefty. You can lose your license, spend time in jail, and face thousands in fines. However, the exact penalties you will receive depends on if you have been charged with a DWI in the past, if you injured anyone, and several other factors. There are general legal guidelines that the court must follow for all DWI cases. They are as follows:

• First Offense: Your first offense in New Hampshire is a Class B misdemeanor. You will be fined no less than $500 plus a penalty assessment fee for a total of $620. Your license will also be suspended for at least 9 months and up to 2 years. You must take an alcohol and drug abuse screening within 14 days of a conviction, and depending on the result, you may have to submit to a further full substance use disorder evaluation within 30 days. The court will require you to take the impaired driver education program, which is a 20-hour substance abuse class as well. In addition to all of that, you may be required to receive counseling. There is no jail time for a first offense unless there are other factors.

• Second Offense: A second DWI charge will result in you losing your license for 2 years. You may also be charged with a Class A misdemeanor for DWI subsequent offense. If your second offense was within two years of your prior DWI, you will receive a 60-day jail sentence. 30 days of the jail sentence may be suspended based on a full substance abuse evaluation and compliance with the required treatment. If your second offense occurs within 10 years but after 2 years of your first conviction, there is a minimum 17-day jail sentence. You will be fined $750 plus an assessment fee for a total fine of $930. Upon reinstatement of your driving privileges, you must install an ignition interlock device.

• Third Offense: Your third offense typically includes an indefinite license loss and a mandatory 180-day jail sentence. 150 days of the sentence can be suspended based on a substance use evaluation and completion of required treatments. After 5 years, you may petition the court and then the Department of Safety for reinstatement of your driving privileges. The fines imposed on you vary, but they will be more than the fines from your second offense. It is also important to keep in mind that the more offenses you have, the more severe the penalties are.