Alcohol Offenses

Alcohol offenses are usually charged as misdemeanors, which means that potential penalties include license suspension, community service, counseling, up to a year of jail time, and fines. Habitual offenders usually face more serious penalties, such as longer jail sentences and larger fines. If a DUI were to lead to a death, the charges may rise to the felony level.

Lawyers at your defense

When facing an alcohol charge, attorney John E. Durkin can assist you in a multitude of ways, including:

• Raising possible defenses, including entrapment. This can especially be applied to situations in which you were caught buying or selling alcohol to minors as part of a sting operation.
• Arguing a license suspension in exchange for a hardship license in a DUI administrative hearing in front of the DMV.
• Introducing reasonable doubt
• Arguing for a violation of your constitutional rights in the form of illegal search and seizure.
• Help you negotiate into a first-time offender program. It is possible through these channels to avoid jail time.
• Assist in negotiating a plea bargain with the prosecutor assigned to your case in order to attempt to minimalize penalties.

These are only some ways in which a Dover and Portsmouth alcohol offense lawyer can be of help when you are facing possible alcohol-related charges. Contact us at our Dover or Portsmouth office today. No matter what the circumstances of your arrest, we want to help you.