If your teenager has been arrested for a DWI, or for “driving while intoxicated,” you may feel concerned about what to do or what consequences your child might face. Not only has your underage child likely imbibed in alcohol or ingested another controlled substance, but they may have also put another person’s life in danger. As the parent of a teenager, you are also partially responsible for educating your child and protecting them from danger.
If you’re worried about what to do after your teen’s arrest and concerned their charges might turn into serious convictions, we at Hayes, PLLC, may be able to help. We have extensive experience in criminal defense law and helping previous clients face lesser penalties, reinstate their licenses, and restore their records.
What Penalties Might Your Teenager Face for a New Hampshire DWI?
If your teenager has been charged with a DWI, they may face a few consequences if they are convicted. In New Hampshire, DWI, DUI, and drunk driving are all treated extremely similarly, if not the same. This means there are not necessarily lesser penalties for one charge or another. The penalties your teen might face include the following:
- Fines
- Jail time
- License loss or suspension
- State-approved DWI education program
- Residential treatment program
Depending on the circumstances, there may be additional consequences, including increased insurance rates, an inability to rent cars, and more. Additionally, if your teen is convicted of underage drinking, the consequences will likely be worse than those convicted of a DWI at a legal drinking age. If you would like to reduce the penalties your child may face, we strongly recommend working with a qualified criminal defense lawyer who is experienced in DWI cases. Your teen’s lawyer may be able to reduce the penalties for any convictions.
What Should You Do if Your Teen Is Arrested for a DWI in New Hampshire?
If your teen has been arrested for a DWI, you likely want to help them reduce their consequences and return to a sense of normalcy as quickly as possible. These cases often require legal action, and we have a few suggestions for the next steps to take to adequately protect your teenager.
Collect Evidence
If your teen has been charged with a DWI, we encourage you to seek evidence related to the incident in question. This may help reduce or eliminate potential consequences. Evidence may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Witness statements
- Expert witness opinion
- Video evidence
- Text or messaging logs
- Photos
- Physical evidence
We also recommend speaking with legal representation before heading into legal proceedings. Your lawyer may help you accurately analyze, accept, or reject certain pieces of evidence for your child’s case.
Talk to a Qualified Criminal Defense Lawyer
If your child faces a potential conviction for their DWI, we strongly recommend you hire a qualified and experienced criminal defense lawyer. Solid legal representation may help your teen’s case in several ways, including the following:
- Legal knowledge
- Negotiation tactics
- Reduce consequences
- Disprove evidence
- Collect and analyze evidence
- Join or lead investigations
- Reduce the likelihood of conviction for certain charges
- Provide helpful information or useful resources
We know how stressful your child’s conviction may feel to you as a parent or guardian, so allow us at Hayes, PLLC, to help. Hiring a qualified lawyer significantly increases the likelihood of effectively and favorably representing your child’s side of the case. Please refrain from representing yourself during legal proceedings to maximize the probability of the best possible results.
Protect Your Teen With Hayes, PLLC, Criminal Defense Lawyers in New Hampshire
If your teen has been arrested with a DWI in New Hampshire, we at Hayes, PLLC, may be able to assist you and your family. We are highly experienced in New Hampshire DWI cases, and we are dedicated to supporting our clients through every step of the legal process. Our team has helped clients restore their records, reinstate licenses, and face lesser penalties, and we may also be able to help you.
If you think we would be a good fit for your legal representation, please don’t hesitate to contact our dedicated team. Working with us allows you to take advantage of our extensive legal knowledge, skills, and helpful resources. To get in touch, please call us at 978-314-4950 or complete our contact form at your earliest convenience. We are patiently waiting to hear from you to discuss your case and legal options.
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