Nashua Aggravated DWI Defense Attorney
An aggravated DWI charge in New Hampshire carries significantly harsher penalties than a standard DWI. This includes mandatory jail time, steeper fines and longer license suspensions. The state elevates your charge to aggravated DWI when specific factors make your offense more serious. Understanding what triggers these enhanced penalties and how to fight them can make the difference between a conviction with mandatory jail time and a reduced charge.
At Goulden Law Offices, PLLC, we defend clients throughout Nashua and New Hampshire against aggravated DWI charges. Our experienced DWI defense team knows how to challenge the aggravating factors the state uses to enhance your penalties and works to protect your freedom and driving privileges.
What Makes A DWI Charge “Aggravated” Under New Hampshire Law?
New Hampshire law under RSA 265-A:3 defines specific circumstances that automatically elevate a standard DWI to an aggravated charge. The state classifies your offense as aggravated DWI when any of these factors apply to your case:
- Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measures .16% or higher
- You drove 30 mph or more over the posted speed limit
- You attempted to elude or flee from law enforcement
- You had a passenger under 16 years old in your vehicle
- You caused serious bodily injury to another person
Each of these aggravating factors triggers mandatory minimum penalties that judges cannot reduce, even for first-time offenders. When serious bodily injury occurs, the charge escalates from a misdemeanor to a felony.
Penalties You Face For Aggravated DWI In Nashua
New Hampshire imposes strict mandatory minimum sentences for aggravated DWI convictions. For a Class A misdemeanor aggravated DWI without injury, you face a minimum of five days in county jail that you must serve, fines starting at $750, license revocation for 18 to 24 months, mandatory ignition interlock device installation and enrollment in the Impaired Driver Care Management Program.
When your aggravated DWI involves serious bodily injury, the state charges you with a Class B felony. This conviction requires a minimum of 14 days in jail, fines starting at $1,000, extended license suspension and a permanent felony record that affects your employment, housing and civil rights.
How Our Aggravated DUI Defense Strategies Protect You
We focus our defense on challenging the specific aggravating factors the prosecution uses to enhance your charge. Our Nashua aggravated DWI lawyers examine breathalyzer calibration records and testing procedures to invalidate BAC readings of .16% or higher. We dispute radar gun accuracy and maintenance records when the state claims you exceeded the speed limit by 30 mph. In cases involving alleged serious bodily injury, we work with medical experts to challenge whether the injuries meet the legal definition required for felony charges.
You Need An Experienced Nashua Aggravated DWI Lawyer
Don’t face mandatory jail time and a felony record without experienced legal representation. Our aggravated DUI defense team at Goulden Law Offices, PLLC, can help you fight for reduction or dismissal of your enhanced charges. Call 603-237-1105 now or contact us online to schedule your consultation.