A Manchester man was recently arrested in the parking lot of a Hooksett grocery store for aggravated DUI. Employees at the grocery store called police to report a man unconscious behind the wheel with the car still running. The man woke up when police reached into the vehicle to turn off the engine. The automobile was full of empty alcohol containers and police stated that the vehicle, and the man, had a very heavy alcohol odor.
Police asked the man to submit to standard field sobriety tests to which the man complied. Afterward, the man was arrested for aggravated DUI. Hooksett police reported that the man had a 0.22 blood alcohol content.
AGGRAVATED DUI IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a very serious crime in the state of New Hampshire. The consequences of being arrested for DUI can have a long-lasting impact on your life and livelihood. Even first-time offenders can expect to face steep penalties, such large fines, jail time, and even license suspension. The penalties get worse when there are aggravating factors involved in your DUI, elevating the charge to an Aggravated DUI. There are a number of factors that elevate a DUI to an aggravated DUI and some of those factors include:
- “Having a passenger in the car under the age of 16;
- Driving over 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit;
- Having a blood-alcohol content test result of .16% or greater;
- Attempting to evade or escape law enforcement;
- Causing a collision that results in a death or a serious injury to another person or multiple people.”
In the scenario above, the man registered a 0.22 blood alcohol content. The report does not tell us whether the 0.22 was registered on the preliminary breath test or the Intoxylizer breath test. If you are arrested for an aggravated DUI, the specific breath testing device used to register your blood alcohol content can be very important in building a defense for your case.
Penalties for an Aggravated DUI
Any one of the above factors can drastically increase your sentencing and any penalties you may face if you are convicted of your aggravated DUI charge. Aggravated DUI penalties may look like the following penalties:
- “Fines at a minimum of $750;
- Mandatory jail time for a minimum of 17 days to a maximum of one year;
- Referral to the Impaired Driver Care Management Program for substance abuse treatment at the expense of the defendant;
- Regular substance abuse disorder evaluations. The first will be 30 days following the release from jail, and completion of the evaluation will be 60 days following the release from jail. Any programs or service involved will be at the expense of the defendant.
- License suspension for a minimum of 18 months to a maximum of 2 years.”
Keep note, this list of penalties is not an exhaustive list by any means and it is best that you work with an experienced DUI defense lawyer to best protect your rights.
CALL NEW HAMPSHIRE DUI ATTORNEYS TENN AND TENN, P.A.
If you or a loved one has been arrested with an aggravated DUI charge you need the assistance of an experienced DUI defense attorney. The skilled attorneys at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. have the dedication and experience to ensure that you receive the best possible outcome in your case. Contact Tenn And Tenn, P.A. today for a free consultation!