Collateral consequences of a DWI conviction

Actual Consequences vs. Collateral Consequences For a New Hampshire DWI Conviction

In the state of New Hampshire, a DWI conviction can have serious ramifications in multiple areas of your life. Actual consequences are defined as the actual penalties that are handed out by the NH court system. Collateral consequences are the various negative effects that a conviction can produce on your personal, financial, and professional life. The court system is required to explain the actual consequences of a conviction to a defendant, but they are under no obligation to explain the collateral consequences, which can continue for quite some time.

Drunk Driving Laws In New Hampshire

The actual consequences a defendant incurs for a DWI conviction can include jail time, monetary fines, license suspension, and required participation in an alcohol intervention program. Depending upon the circumstances surrounding their arrest and whether or not a defendant has any prior DWI convictions, a defendant could potentially face a jail sentence of up to 7 years and an indefinite revocation of their driving privileges.

Even a first time offense, for which there are no existing aggravating factors, can result in a minimum monetary fine of $500.00, enrollment in an alcohol treatment program, and a minimum license suspension period of nine months. Depending upon which profession a defendant is involved in, the minimum penalties can increase drastically. For example, a motorist who holds a New Hampshire CDL license can face a mandatory one year suspension of their driving privileges for a first time conviction.

DWI Consequences Involve More Than a Simple Jail Sentence

While losing your driving privileges and spending time in your local jail certainly constitute a hardship, the collateral consequences that a DWI conviction produces often have a serious impact upon your day to day life. This is particularly true in which the actual consequences were not as severe, as with a first time offense. Most individuals deem it simpler to accept the resulting penalties and move forward with their lives; however, at the time, they do not realize the other ramifications a DWI conviction can have.

Possessing a criminal record of any sort makes it much harder for an individual to achieve the personal and professional success they are looking for. Employers frequently ask potential employees if they have ever been convicted of a crime, and most prospective employers do run background checks. In recent years, an increasing number of landlords have begun to run criminal background checks on potential tenants. Moreover, if you are convicted of a DWI, you can expect your car insurance rates to increase astronomically, and there are even some car insurance companies who are unwilling to insure motorists at all who DWIs on their record.

Drunk Driving Consequences For Professionals

Individuals who are involved in certain professions will suffer more from the collateral consequences of a DWI conviction. Physicians and nurses could potentially lose their medical licenses after a conviction. If you have been convicted of a DWI, your ability to travel internationally, even to Canada, could be restricted. At the very least, you will be subjected to additional scrutiny. For both leisure and business travelers, this can create a serious problem. A DWI conviction can result in security clearances being revoked. From military members to those who work in law enforcement, a security clearance is often a requirement for employment.

If you are facing a potential DWI charge in the state of New Hampshire, it is imperative that you understand what the possible collateral and actual consequences for a conviction are before taking action or choosing to accept a plea bargain. An experienced New Hampshire DWI lawyer can assist in explaining possible consequences and negotiating with a prosecutor to produce the best possible outcome for your case.  

Don't plead guilty without a lawyer then regret your decision and try to get it undone. It is incredibly difficult to undo a guilty plea.