Sometimes Connecticut residents travel to other states, like New Mexico for business or pleasure and have the unfortunate luck to be charged with a DUI. If this happens to you, you should first find a qualified DUI lawyer in New Mexico, but you should also be aware of how Connecticut’s DMV will treat you upon your return.

New Mexico DUI Penalties

If you have been convicted of a DUI in New Mexico, you would be convicted of violating  NMSA 66-8-102.

In New Mexico, the penalties for DUI can range depending on the number of prior DUI offenses you have.

First offense: A first offense in the state of New Mexico is punishable by a jail sentence of 0-90 days, 24-48 hours of community service, 12 hours of DWI school, an alcohol screening, attendance at a MADD victim impact panel, a year of probation, suspension of your driver’s license for one year, and the installation of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle for one year after your license is reinstated.

Second offense: The penalties for this offense are a jail sentence of 4-364 days, probation for 1-5 years, a fine of $500-$1,000, 48 hours of community service, alcohol counseling, a two year license suspension followed by participation in the ignition interlock device program for two years.

Third offense: A third offense will result in a jail sentence of 30-364 days, probation for 1-5 years, a fine of $750-$1,000, 96 hours of community service, and license revocation for three years followed by participation in the ignition interlock device program for three years.

Fourth offense: A fourth conviction carries a jail sentence of 6-18 months and a lifetime revocation of your driver’s license.

If you are a Connecticut resident who has been charged with or convicted of DUI in New Mexico, you should be aware that there are repercussions on your Connecticut license in your home state in addition to any license impact in New Mexico as set forth above.

After hiring a New Mexico DUI lawyer to help you fight your DUI, you should consider contacting a Connecticut DUI lawyer or asking us to assist you in retaining one for your home state consequences.