If you are charged with a DUI in New Hampshire, it will impact your entire existence. Not only that you will serve its criminal consequences, a DUI conviction can also affect your future employment thus affecting your financial stability as well. Under New Hampshire DUI laws, you can be arrested for DUI in one of two ways: driving impaired and a BAC of .08% or higher.
DUI Arrests in New Hampshire
The police officer who pulls you over will likely perform two tests on you. A field sobriety test will determine your substance intoxication, while a blood alcohol test (BAC) will determine the level of alcohol present in your system. If you fail any of the given tests, you will definitely be arrested and convicted for DUI in New Hampshire. You have the option not to take the BAC test but your refusal will only mean additional consequences that will be determined in the criminal courts. Also, you are only given 30 days to request an administrative hearing to argue your right to drive. If you do not act promptly then you will automatically lose your license. For this reason, you need to immediately talk to a DUI lawyer and seek legal advice about your situation.
Basic Consequences for First Time Offenders
First time DUI offenders in New Hampshire do not have the right to a jury trial. This trial is only available to habitual offenders or first time offenders facing an aggravated offense. Nevertheless, you can expect to face the following charges over a non-aggravated first time DUI offense:
Apparently, you will not have to serve jail time for a first non-aggravated DUI offense. However, if you fall under the aggravated offense, such as having a high BAC, or driving with a minor in the car, you will have to face tougher penalties and punishments. Stricter consequences are also given to subsequent DUI offenders.
License Suspension for New Hampshire DUI
Alongside all other mentioned consequences for a DUI case, your license will also be suspended as a result of your arrest and conviction. During the earlier phase of your arrest, you are given the opportunity to protect your right to drive by requesting an administrative hearing. Failure to make an appeal will automatically suspend your license for 180 days. Otherwise, you will have to serve the following times of license suspension:
On top of what the courts give you, you will serve another 180 days of suspension if you do not submit yourself for a BAC test upon your arrest.
Insurance Consequences
Insurance companies usually review driving records. As a result of your DUI conviction in New Hampshire, your insurance provider may either cancel your coverage or increase your insurance rates. More often than not, obtaining new insurance is quite tough than accepting the new rate imposed by your existing insurance carrier having a DUI on your driving record.