Under 21 - Alcohol & Drugs in NH
In New Hampshire, any person who is not yet 21, who is convicted of "any offense involving the sale, possession, use, or abuse of alcohol" may have his or her license suspended, revoked or denied. In addition to more serious offenses, like a DWI committed while under age 21, a license loss can result from:
- Intoxication (internal possession of alcohol)
- Using a Fake ID
- Attempting to Purchase Alcohol
- Transporting Alcohol (even closed containers)
- Open Container violations
Even if you do not hold a NH license, many states will honor a license revocation or suspension issued by the NH DMV.
There can also be significant fines.
In addition, a person under age 21 can lose his or her license for any drug related offense, regardless of whether a motor vehicle was involved. Depending on the charge, a license loss can be mandatory. But in many cases, the judge can instruct the DMV not to suspend a person's license.
For these reasons, what offense the prosecutor charges, and what sentence the judge imposes, can often be critical factors in determining the amount of the fine, and whether there will be a loss of license. A lawyer may be able to negotiate with the prosecutor to change the charge or convince a judge to impose a loss of license.
If you are a student, or the parent of student who is under 21 and has been charged with a DWI in NH, or any other alcohol or drug related offense, give us a call. We routinely appear in the NH district courts and are experienced in handling these types of cases.
Inquiries sent to help@swnhlaw.com are typically answered within 24 hours.