New Mexico DUI Consequences
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If you are facing drunk driving charges in New Mexico, you may think you have nothing to worry about. After all, it’s only a minor traffic offense, right? Wrong. Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious criminal act—so serious, in fact, that it is against the law in every jurisdiction in the United States. As a result, a conviction can lead to a number of court-imposed penalties and other New Mexico DUI consequences.
Assuming you have no prior convictions on your record, the penalties for a first DUI conviction includes a minimum $500 fine, one-year license suspension, and up to 90-day jail sentence. In addition, you may be required to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle for a year or longer—which means you will be unable to operate your vehicle unless you successfully pass a breathalyzer. Depending on the severity of the offense, your sentence could also include up to a year of probation, 24 hours of community service, and completion of a court-approved driver’s educational program.
While the penalties for a first-time offender are certainly severe, you can expect to receive a much harsher punishment if you are convicted of a second DUI. Indeed, a second offense carries a minimum $1,500 fine, two-year license suspension, and 96-hour jail sentence. You may also be placed on probation for up to five years and/or required to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle for two years. Community service and/or alcohol treatment may also be required in some cases.
Meanwhile, if you are convicted of a third DUI, you could pay as much as $1,750 in fines and lose your license for three years or more. A third conviction will also result in a minimum 30-day jail sentence and up to five years of probation. It is also worth noting that, after three DUI convictions, any subsequent charge will be classified as a felony—resulting in up to $5,000 in fines and an 18-month jail sentence. A felony conviction can also lead to the loss of your voting rights, as well as your ability to purchase a gun and travel outside of the country.
When it comes to the consequences of a DUI conviction, there’s more to consider than just the court-imposed sentence. Because your conviction will remain on your criminal record for the rest of your life, your future employment, housing, and educational opportunities may be significantly limited. Plus, you can also plan on paying two to three times more for auto insurance if you have a drunk driving conviction on your record.
Fortunately, being arrested for DUI does not always mean that you will be found guilty of the offense in criminal court. In fact, there are many ways to challenge your arrest and reduce or eliminate the charges against you. To learn the best strategy for your case, complete our online form today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a skilled DUI defense attorney in your area.
