DUI / DWI / Driving while Intoxicated / Driving under the Influence - Overview
DWI is a complicated and very serious charge. Besides facing a criminal penalty, you can be facing a significant loss of license. Further, New Hampshire does not have any hardship licenses, such as to drive to work. It also is a major violation in regard to the Habitual Offender status, which can subject you to loss of license for 1 - 5 years. Aggravated DWI and DWI Subsequent carries mandatory jail time. See Penalties for more detailed information.
Accordingly, there is usually an administrative license suspension as part of a DUI case. See License Suspension for more detailed information on this process and its penalties.
The three types of DWI are Driving while under the influence of alcohol, driving under the influence of drugs, and boating while intoxicated. See the appropriate section of this website for more detailed on each offense.
In most DUI cases, the police will usually have evidence against you in the form of field sobriety tests, or a breath test, or blood test. See Tests for more details on these specific tests.
Finally, there are categories of drivers that have special circumstances of how a DWI can affect them. Those categories include women, anyone under the age of 21, or 20, and drivers who hold a Commercial Driver License. See Categories for more details affecting those individuals.
Criminal Defense & License Information
Client Testimonials
Kept me out of jail
"I was charged with Aggravated DWI for driving without a license, getting in a car accident, and giving a breath sample of .20. Attorney Hynes explained to me that if I was convicted there would be mandatory jail time, with up to a year in jail. Thankfully, Attorney Hynes was able to point out potential problems with the breath test, and the prosecutor dismissed the aggravated DWI charge, and I was able to stay out of jail."
Danielle T. - Nashua, NH
Avoided Being a Habitual Offender
"I was charged with Conduct after an accident for leaving the scene of an accident. I already had a couple of major moving violations, and one more would make me a habitual offender and make me lose my license for at least a year. I was also facing jail time if convicted. Attorney Hynes took the case to trial and I was found not guilty!"
Craig M. - Manchester, NHNo License Loss
"I was charged with DUI and refused a breath test. I was facing a mandatory six month loss of license just for refusing the test. Other people told me it was an automatic loss and there was nothing that could be done about it. I called Attorney Hynes and he recommended contesting the issue at a hearing at the DMV. He did that, and at the hearing I won and didn't lose my license for refusing the breath test.
John H. - Concord, NH
Experience
"I was charged with a Felony case of Habitual Offender. I was facing a mandatory minimum of one year in prison if convicted. Attorney Hynes was able to convince the prosecutor the charge should only be a misdemeanor, and now I will not have to go to prison.
Steven H. - Manchester, NH
Knows the Law
"I was charged with Driving under the influence of drugs (DUI / DWI). I was facing a license loss of between 9 months and 2 years. Attorney Hynes' knowledge of the law was able to get the charge completely dismissed and I was found Not Guilty. I did not lose my license!
Kimberly C. – Manchester, NH
Great Negotiation
"I am 19 and was charged with possessing alcohol in a motor vehicle. If convicted I faced a mandatory loss of license. I was also on probation with the DMV and any traffic offense would have violated that and I would have had more of a license loss. Attorney Hynes was able to get the charged reduced to simple possession so I didn't lose my license at all.
Marisa D. - Bedford, NH