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If you have been charged with a New Mexico DUI there are two things that you need to consider: 1) Take the charge seriously. 2) Hire an experienced New Mexico DUI Lawyer. The New Mexico DUI Defense Lawyers at DUILaws.com offer an initial review of your case. Your inquiry is both free and confidential. To begin fighting your New Mexico DUI, use the drop-down menu above to locate a New Mexico Attorney in your county. But do it now, as time is very critical in a New Mexico DUI case.
New
Mexico DUI Laws and Drunk Driving Information
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You have 20 days to request an administrative hearing to contest your license revocation. If notice is not received your license will automatically be revoked. There are a few exceptions to this revocation, so hiring an experienced New Mexico DUI defense attorney is very important.
The second part of your DUI arrest is the criminal case against you. If you plead guilty or are found guilty by a jury the penalties range from probation and court costs to jail time and sever fines. Having a qualified New Mexico DUI defense attorney to represent you can make the difference.
New Mexico DUI Laws
Persons under influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs; aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs; penalty.
A. It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of intoxicating liquor to drive any vehicle within this state.
B. It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any drug to a degree that renders him incapable of safely driving a vehicle to drive any vehicle within this state.
C. It is unlawful for any person who has an alcohol concentration of eight one-hundredths or more in his blood or breath to drive any vehicle within this state.
Aggravated DUI Defined
D. Aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs consists of a person who:
(1) has an alcohol concentration of sixteen one-hundredths or more in his blood or breath while driving any vehicle within this state;
(2) has caused bodily injury to a human being as a result of the unlawful operation of a motor vehicle while driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs; or
(3) refused to submit to chemical testing, as provided for in the Implied Consent Act [66-8-105 to 66-8-112 NMSA 1978], and in the judgment of the court, based upon evidence of intoxication presented to the court, the person was under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
First Offense Penalties
E. Every person under first conviction under this section shall be punished notwithstanding the provisions of Section 31-18-13 NMSA 1978 by imprisonment for not more than ninety days or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or both; provided that if the sentence is suspended in whole or in part or deferred, the period of probation may extend beyond ninety days but shall not exceed one year.
Upon a first conviction under this section, an offender may be sentenced to not less than forty-eight hours of community service or a fine of three hundred dollars ($300).
The offender shall be ordered by the court to attend a driver rehabilitation program for alcohol or drugs, also known as a "DUI school", approved by the traffic safety bureau of the state highway and transportation department and also may be required to participate in other rehabilitative services as the court shall determine to be necessary.
In addition to those penalties, when an offender commits aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than forty-eight consecutive hours in jail.
If an offender fails to complete, within a time specified by the court, any community service, screening program, treatment program or DUI school ordered by the court, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than an additional forty-eight consecutive hours in jail.
Any jail sentence imposed under this subsection for failure to complete, within a time specified by the court, any community service, screening program, treatment program or DUI school ordered by the court or for aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs shall not be suspended, deferred or taken under advisement.
On a first conviction under this section, any time spent in jail for the offense prior to the conviction for that offense shall be credited to any term of imprisonment fixed by the court. A deferred sentence under this subsection shall be considered a first conviction for the purpose of determining subsequent convictions.
Second and Third Offense Penalties
F. A second or third conviction under this section shall be punished notwithstanding the provisions of Section 31-18-13 NMSA 1978 by imprisonment for not more than three hundred sixty-four days or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both; provided that if the sentence is suspended in whole or in part, the period of probation may extend beyond one year but shall not exceed five years.
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary for suspension or deferment of execution of a sentence:
(1) Upon a second conviction, each offender shall be sentenced to a jail term of not less than seventy-two consecutive hours, forty-eight hours of community service and a fine of five hundred dollars ($500).
In addition to those penalties, when an offender commits aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, the offender shall be sentenced to a jail term of not less than ninety-six consecutive hours.
If an offender fails to complete, within a time specified by the court, any community service, screening program or treatment program ordered by the court, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than an additional seven consecutive days in jail.
A penalty imposed pursuant to this paragraph shall not be suspended or deferred or taken under advisement; and
(2) upon a third conviction, an offender shall be sentenced to a jail term of not less than thirty consecutive days and a fine of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750).
In addition to those penalties, when an offender commits aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, the offender shall be sentenced to a jail term of not less than sixty consecutive days.
If an offender fails to complete, within a time specified by the court, any screening program or treatment program ordered by the court, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than an additional sixty consecutive days in jail.
A penalty imposed pursuant to this paragraph shall not be suspended or deferred or taken under advisement.
Fourth Offense Felony Penalties
G. Upon a fourth or subsequent conviction under this section, an offender is guilty of a fourth degree felony, as provided in Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978, and shall be sentenced to a jail term of not less than six months which shall not be suspended or deferred or taken under advisement.
Screening and Treatment
H. Upon any conviction under this section, an offender shall be required to participate in and complete, within a time specified by the court, an alcohol or drug abuse screening program and if necessary, a treatment program approved by the court.
Jurisdiction
I. In the case of a first, second or third offense under this section, the magistrate court has concurrent jurisdiction with district courts to try the offender.
J. A conviction under a municipal or county ordinance prescribing penalties for driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs shall be deemed to be a conviction under this section for purposes of determining whether a conviction is a second or subsequent conviction.
K. In addition to any other fine or fee which may be imposed pursuant to the conviction or other disposition of the offense under this section, the court may order the offender to pay the costs of any court-ordered screening and treatment programs.
Definitions
L. As used in this section:
(1) "bodily injury" means an injury to a person that is not likely to cause death or great bodily harm to the person, but does cause painful temporary disfigurement or temporary loss or impairment of the functions of any member or organ of the person's body; and
(2) "conviction" means an adjudication of guilt and does not include imposition of a sentence.
