The DUI Laws in New Hampshire are similar to the DUI laws followed in other states in the country. Though New Hampshire DUI laws have adopted the national benchmark of .08% as the legal limit of blood alcohol concentration for drivers, this limit is lower for underage as well as commercial drivers. In addition to that, the state courts follow a varying method of determining penalties for drunk driving, based on the type of DUI charge leveled against the defendant. Thus, a defendant facing a simple DUI charge will receive a more lenient punishment in comparison to a defendant who is facing an aggravated DUI charge.
An aggravated DUI charge in New Hampshire accompanies longer jail term, a higher amount of fine, and more severe punishment. Driving over the speed limit, trying to elude a law enforcement officer or not cooperating with him or her, causing a road accident that results in a serious injury, and driving rashly with an underage passenger in the vehicle constitute an aggravated DUI charge. That apart, a person operating a motor vehicle with a BAC (blood alcohol concentration level) of more than .16% can also be charged with aggravated DUI in New Hampshire.
First DUI convictions in New Hampshire carry a fine of up to $500 for a simple charge and $750 for an aggravated charge. Though there is no minimum mandatory incarceration for a simple DUI charge as per New Hampshire DUI laws, a person convicted on aggravated DUI charge can be sentenced to a minimum jail term of 10 days. That apart, DUI Laws in New Hampshire state that the driver’s license of a first time offender can be suspended for a minimum of 9 months to a maximum of 12 months and reinstatement of the same can happen only after the completion of an impaired driver intervention program.
To add to it, the judge can order a convicted person to submit to random alcohol tests if the court deems it fit in view of the specifics of his or her case. Both simple and aggravated DUI convictions for a second time offender incur the penalty of license suspension for 3 years or more, a minimum fine of $750, and a minimum jail term of 10 days. The DUI Laws in New Hampshire have made it mandatory for second time offenders to attend a 7-day impaired driver intervention program, the cost of which has to be borne by the convict.
As per New Hampshire DUI laws, the driving privileges of a third time offender can be suspended indefinitely and he or she can be sentenced to a minimum of 180 days in the county correctional facility. A person facing a simple or aggravated DUI charge in the state of New Hampshire can plead guilty or not guilty and enter a plea bargain on the advice of his or her legal counsel.