Bedford, NH DWI Attorney

Driving While Intoxicated Defense Lawyers in Bedford

Getting pulled over for DWI in Bedford is one of those moments that can flip your world upside down. Maybe you had a drink with dinner, thought you were okay to drive. Next thing you know, blue lights, a roadside test, and you’re sitting in a holding cell wondering what happens next. It’s scary, it’s stressful, and honestly, it’s hard to think straight.

That’s where we come in. At Horn Wright, LLP, our killed attorneys handled DWI cases all over Bedford, from Constitution Drive to Merrimack District Court. We know the judges. We know how local law enforcement builds their cases. More importantly, we know how to pick them apart. We’re here to lift the weight off your shoulders and help you move forward with confidence.

Charged with DWI in Bedford? Here's Exactly What Comes Next

A DWI arrest starts a legal process that moves faster than most people expect. From the moment you're cuffed, your rights, your license, and your future are on the line.

You'll likely be taken to the Bedford Police Department for booking—fingerprints, mugshots, and your first look at formal charges. What you say or do next matters. A lot.

Here’s what to do immediately:

• Keep quiet. Once you're arrested, you don’t owe anyone explanations. Invoke your Fifth Amendment right and wait for your lawyer.
• Document what happened. Write down where you were stopped, the officer’s behavior, what you were wearing, lighting conditions, and anything unusual about the testing process.
• Ask yourself if the stop was legal. If police didn’t have a valid reason, any evidence gathered might be challenged under Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1.
• Know the rules. New Hampshire’s implied consent law (RSA 265-A:4) means refusing a test can lead to automatic license suspension—but you still have rights.

Field sobriety tests? They’re not foolproof. We’ve seen arrests made based on shaky tests conducted on sloped pavement, in dress shoes, or under poor lighting. These details make a difference in court.

Bedford’s DWI Laws Are Tough—Here’s the Real Impact on Your Life

A DWI in New Hampshire isn’t just a traffic ticket. It’s a criminal charge, and it comes with penalties that can stick with you for years—especially in Bedford, where local courts strictly follow state statutes.

First-time offenders under RSA 265-A:18 face:

• $500 or more in fines
• 9 months to 2 years of license suspension
• Mandatory completion of an impaired driver program
• Possible jail time up to 10 days, depending on the circumstances

If this is your second or third offense, or if your BAC was over 0.16%, the penalties climb quickly. You could face:

• Mandatory jail sentences
• Three-year license suspension or more
• Installation of an ignition interlock device
• Felony charges for repeat offenses under RSA 265-A:18, III

And beyond court? Your job could be at risk. If you work near South River Road or commute to Manchester, losing your license could mean losing employment. Your insurance rates will spike. In a community like Bedford, word travels fast—and the stigma can linger long after your case ends.

Fighting Back—Effective Strategies for Beating a DWI Charge in Bedford

Here’s the thing most people don’t realize: a DWI charge isn’t a guaranteed conviction. We’ve had clients walk away with dismissed charges or reduced penalties thanks to smart, aggressive defense work.

Some of our most successful strategies include:

• Challenging the traffic stop itself. If the officer didn’t have a valid reason to pull you over, the entire case could unravel.
• Reviewing dashcam or bodycam footage. These often reveal contradictions in the officer’s version of events.
• Scrutinizing the breathalyzer. Machines must be maintained and calibrated under He-P 2200 rules. If they weren’t, that’s a problem.
• Cross-examining field sobriety tests. We question how the tests were conducted—and whether weather, stress, or footwear affected your results.

We also work behind the scenes—negotiating with prosecutors to lower charges or seek alternative sentencing. Especially if this is your first offense, there may be room to avoid harsh penalties altogether.

Losing Your License in Bedford: What Now?

In Bedford, where public transit is practically nonexistent, losing your license hits hard. You’ve got kids to drive, work to get to, appointments to keep. And now? You're stuck.

Here’s how the state handles it: if you refused a breath or blood test, or blew over the legal limit, the DMV will automatically start the process to suspend your license under RSA 265-A:30.

But you’ve still got options:

• You have 30 days from your arrest to request a hearing with the DMV in Concord.
• We help file that request quickly and correctly.
• We prepare you with documentation, a timeline of events, and evidence of flaws in the police’s process.
• We explore hardship licenses, which may let you drive to work, school, or medical appointments under RSA 263:57-b.

ALS hearings move fast, but we move faster. With the right preparation, we can help keep you on the road.

Bedford DWI Cases and Courtrooms

Facing the Process With Confidence

Court can feel like a foreign country if you’ve never been through it before. But if you know what to expect, and you’ve got a seasoned legal team at your side, it gets a lot less intimidating.

Here’s how most DWI cases unfold in Bedford:

• Arraignment: You enter a plea. We usually start with “not guilty” so we can get a full picture of the evidence.
• Discovery phase: We demand every scrap of evidence—police reports, video, lab tests—and file motions to exclude anything flawed.
• Negotiation or pre-trial: Many cases resolve here. If there’s a weak point in the case, we’ll use it to push for a better outcome.
• Trial (if needed): If it comes to this, we’re ready to go the distance—cross-examining officers, presenting expert witnesses, and fighting to protect your future.

We know Merrimack District Court and Hillsborough County Superior Court (North) like the back of our hand. That experience means fewer surprises and better results.

The High Stakes of a Repeat DWI Offense in Bedford

If you’ve been through this before, you already know—it gets worse each time. The state doesn’t go easy on repeat offenders. If this is your second or third DWI, you’re staring down mandatory jail time and the possibility of felony charges.

A second offense under RSA 265-A:18 includes:

• Minimum 60 days in jail, with at least 30 served
• Three-year license loss
• Required alcohol evaluation and follow-up treatment
• Interlock device for at least 12 months after reinstatement

A third offense? You could be facing a Class B felony, with serious time behind bars and long-term consequences.

But we still fight. We dig into every detail—was your prior conviction handled properly? Was your arrest lawful? Did the officer follow procedure this time? We don’t just defend you, we question everything.

Drugged Driving (DUID): Bedford’s Growing Enforcement Challenge

These days, a DWI doesn’t have to involve alcohol. Bedford police are making more arrests for drugged driving, especially with marijuana becoming more common.

The problem? Proving drug impairment is way trickier than proving alcohol use.

Police often rely on Drug Recognition Experts (DREs). These officers look at your behavior, eye movement, even your muscle tone. But it’s subjective—and we can challenge it.

We fight DUID charges by:

• Questioning the DRE’s credentials and training
• Challenging the testing process—blood and urine tests don’t always reflect impairment, just presence
• Arguing medical use, especially when prescriptions are involved

Bottom line? DUID cases can be won, especially with the right defense strategy.

Why Bedford Trusts Horn Wright, LLP, with Their DWI Defense

At Horn Wright, LLP, we don’t just know DWI law—we know Bedford. Our Bedford dedicated attorneys walked these courtrooms, stood across from these prosecutors, and helped real people just like you turn a bad moment into a new beginning. Whether this is your first arrest or you’ve been here before, we fight with everything we’ve got. You don’t have to do this alone.

If you're ready to hire one of the best law firms in America, our team is ready to hear your story.

Call our offices today at (603) 716-9415 and let’s start building your defense.