Hiring a New Hampshire DWI attorney can save you money

Can Hiring a New Hampshire DWI Attorney Save You Money?

For most New Hampshire motorists, their primary concern when hiring a DWI attorney is whether or not the reduction in monetary fines (and other associated penalties) is worth the lawyer’s fees. A portion of this decision is personal. If you wish to have an experienced hand guide you through the process or are fearful of appearing in a New Hampshire courtroom, then the legal expertise a lawyer provides is invaluable. To borrow a catchphrase from the retail industry, the quality of your legal representation will often be remembered long after the initial price has been forgotten.

Know the Monetary Fines Associated With a DWI Conviction

Each state differs when it comes to the monetary amount of fines that must be paid for a DWI conviction. In the state of New Hampshire, a first time conviction will bring a minimum monetary fine of $500.00, plus any court imposed penalty assessments. For a second conviction, the minimum fine rises to $750.00. For a third conviction, the minimum fine becomes $2,000.00. However, if you are convicted of more than one DWI within a ten year period, the amount of fines you are required to pay can rise to $10,000.00. This amount does not additional penalties that must be paid for counseling, treatment, reinstatement fees, or ignition interlock devices.

Often times, you will recoup a lawyer’s fees immediately if he or she can obtain a reduced fine. As a general rule of thumb, the more serious your DWI charge (i.e. extreme circumstances involving an accident or high BAC levels) or if you are facing charges for a second or subsequent DWI, you will be better off by hiring a DWI lawyer.

Consider Your Employment

One of the primary reasons why defendants chose to hire a DWI lawyer is because an experienced NH DWI attorney can assist you in avoiding (or reducing) jail time. This is never a guarantee, and you should avoid attorneys who promise this result. However, for a number of reasons, a skilled lawyer is better equipped to negotiate a plea bargain (or obtain a not guilty verdict) that results in little to no jail time. Naturally, the more time you must spend in jail, the more time you will be required to spend away from work. Ultimately, this can be quite costly. Even if you can manage to negotiate to take the time off of work, having to explain to your employer why you will be missing work is a risky move.

Many employers choose not to hire or to discontinue the employment of workers who have been convicted of a criminal offense. Even if you do not currently hold a job, having a DWI conviction on your criminal record could affect your chances of finding gainful employment since your conviction will be revealed when a background check is run.

Consider How Your Insurance Premiums Will Be Affected

If you are convicted of a DWI in the state of New Hampshire, you can expect your monthly insurance premiums to rise dramatically after your conviction. Not only could the monthly cost triple, it is wholly possible that you could lose your coverage completely. In most states, proof of automobile insurance is mandatory. If you do not have automobile coverage, you could experience a considerable amount of difficulty traveling to and from work each day. Moreover, many places of employment require their employees to carry insurance coverage. If your job requires you to drive, then you run the risk of losing it. An experienced DWI lawyer can potentially negotiate a reduction in charges or obtain a plea bargain that does not end with this expensive consequence.

Know How a New Hampshire DWI Lawyer Can Assist You

Even if you are guilty of driving while intoxicated, hiring a skilled NH DWI lawyer to represent you can result in a reduced sentence. For example, a police officer might not have followed proper procedures when pulling you over. Likewise, evidence may have been obtained illegally. Either of these scenarios could result in your DWI charges being dismissed completely. Hiring skilled and experienced legal representation is often much less expensive than simply guilty to the charges without fighting them.

For a free consultation regarding your case, please contact our law firm today.