Woman Charged With DWI After Striking Guardrails With SUV on Route 120

CORNISH, N. H. _ It is a scenario that happens often. Someone consumes alcohol or takes drugs _ whether prescription or illegal _ and gets behind the wheel.

That’s what officials say happened to Mary Mispel, 53, who was arrested April 22 in Cornish. Police say she failed to negotiate a corner on Route 120, which caused her 2003 Ford Escape to strike the guardrails.

Police say Mispel was treated at the scene for what were described as injuries that weren’t life-threatening.

She’s accused of driving while intoxicated and will be arraigned on those charges in early May.

If you’re facing similar charges, contact a New Hampshire DWI lawyer who can offer advice on how to get the best possible outcome for your case.

State law gives law enforcement leeway in pulling over drivers who they believe may be impaired.

In Mispel’s case, her car was involved in a crash. Other impaired drivers are stopped before they cause injury to themselves or innocent people.

An officer in New Hampshire can stop a driver for weaving in and out of traffic, driving too fast or too slow, for driving up on a curb, or for swerving.

Once you’ve been pulled over, the process begins.

An officer can require you to take a Breathalyzer test, or a blood or urine test, to determine your blood alcohol level. The driver can refuse to take a test, but remember this _ New Hampshire is an implied consent state. That means that when you were issued a driver’s license, you agreed in advance to take a breath test, or other tests, to determine whether you are driving while under the influence. Any driver with a blood alcohol percentage above 0.08 is considered too drunk to drive in New Hampshire.

So, if you refuse the test, the state will suspend your driving privileges for 180 days. If your driver’s license is suspended, it won’t be reinstated until you have followed the procedures established by state officials.

A DWI attorney in New Hampshire can explain the state’s law concerning driving while intoxicated.

At the scene, the police officer may ask you to take field sobriety tests, which are also known as balance exercises. This will give the officer a better indication of whether you seem to be impaired.

Once this is completed, whether you agree to participate or not, you’ll likely be arrested and taken to the police station or to jail, where you may spend the night.

For many people who have never been in trouble before, this can be a very scary experience.

After you’ve been arrested your case will start making its way through the court system. Again, this can be a confusing time for you. It’s best to consult with a lawyer who is well-versed in DWI laws in New Hampshire.

A DWI or DUI arrest can be very costly and cause you to miss a significant amount of work or school. You will be responsible for court fines and fees and could be required to attend drug or alcohol treatment programs. These programs will also cost you time and money. First time offenders will find an arrest on drunk-driving charges can be embarrassing as well. Your arrest may be published in a local newspaper or blog, especially if there are injuries _ or deaths _ involved, or if there are unusual circumstances such as driving while intoxicated with your children in the backseat.

And your charges will be on your record. It’s something you’d probably not want your employer or a future employer to know about. That’s why it’s best not to drink and drive.

If you are facing DWI charges, please contact a New Hampshire DWI lawyer for a consultation.