Salem Criminal Defense And Legal Blog

Alcohol has a cumulative impact on the human body

On behalf of Howie Law Office, PLLC on Tuesday, October 9, 2018.

As we all know, driving after consuming alcohol is dangerous. There are many impacts that alcoholic beverages can have on your cognitive and motor abilities. These effects increase more with each drink. The hazards don't affect only the drunk driver. They put others on the road at risk, which is why all states have strict laws against impaired driving.

When you are pulled over for the suspicion of drunk driving, the officers will attempt to determine your blood alcohol concentration. In New Hampshire, the legal limit is .08 percent. Anyone at or above this limit will face criminal charges. Here are some ways that BAC can impact your abilities:

BAC of .020 to .039 percent: Feelings of slight euphoria and relaxation; less shy
BAC of .040 to .059 percent: Slight judgment and memory impairment; decline in cautious behavior; lowered inhibitions
BAC of .06 to .099 percent: Judgment and self-control decline more; some impairment of vision, reaction time, balance and hearing; decline in memory and reasoning
BAC of .100 to .129 percent: Impairment of peripheral vision, hearing, reaction time and vision; loss of good judgment; motor coordination significantly declines
BAC of .130 to .159 percent: Lack of physical control; blurry vision; reduced euphoria; loss of balance; severe motor impairment
BAC of .160 to .199 percent: Appearance of being a "sloppy drunk"; feeling very unwell; nausea
BAC of .200 to .249 percent: Possible blackouts; needs help walking; complete mental confusion; vomiting and nausea
BAC of .250 to .399 percent: Loss of consciousness; alcohol poisoning
BAC of .400 percent and higher: Possible death; coma

What is an ignition interlock and why are they necessary?

On behalf of Howie Law Office, PLLC on Tuesday, September 11, 2018.

People in New Hampshire facing a drunk driving charge may be ordered to use an ignition interlock device on their vehicles. If you are ordered to have this installed, you have to use an approved vendor. As of 2018, there are two for the entire state.

An ignition interlock device is ordered in an effort to stop future instances of drunk driving for a person who has been convicted. When the court orders this, there will be a specific amount of time that you will need to keep it on your vehicle.

Considering a divorce in New Hampshire?

On behalf of Howie Law Office, PLLC on Monday, August 13, 2018.

Before you file for a divorce, it is important that you know what you are getting yourself into. Divorce is not simply the act of permanently separating from your spouse. It also is the process of dividing assets and preparing each former spouse for a financially independent life. It may also include helping the divorcing spouses to prepare to become successful coparents of their children.

Many financial decisions are made in a divorce filing, and it is vital that you understand what implications this might have on your life for years to come. It is a good idea to understand the state-specific laws in place in New Hampshire, since divorce processes can vary significantly from state to state.

Put your foot down if your co-parent is harassing you

On behalf of Howie Law Office, PLLC on Monday, July 16, 2018.

Being a divorced parent is never easy, even in the best of situations. When you and your ex can't get along, it can make things much worse. Sometimes, harassment is part of a co-parenting relationship. There is never a good reason for this so taking swift action is necessary when it does occur.

Handling a harassment situation when you have to parent with the harasser isn't going to be easy. You need to think of what is best for your children and yourself when you are trying to come up with a plan.

What estate planning matters do new parents need to consider?

On behalf of Howie Law Office, PLLC on Thursday, June 14, 2018.

Parents of young children want to do everything that they can to protect their children. Many of these same parents don't take steps to ensure that their children will be taken care of if something happens to both parents. This can cause unfortunate consequences for the children if they lose both parents. They could wind up in state custody or be placed with family members with whom they have little to no ongoing relationships.

Those with minor children have some special considerations to think about when it comes to estate planning. Making sure that parents plan well in advance for any eventualities can help them feel more secure since they will know that there is a solid custody plan for their children.

Signs of drunk driving that cops look for during patrols

On behalf of Howie Law Office, PLLC on Wednesday, May 16, 2018.

Police departments are charged with keeping the roads safe. In New Hampshire, they face a unique challenge because of the upheaval of the laws surrounding sobriety checkpoints. In this state, these checkpoints have to be approved by the court, announced in advance, and conducting in compliance with the established and approved procedures.

In February of this year, the New Hampshire House moved a ban on these checkpoints forward. While it is still possible for police to conduct checkpoints, it looks like they will soon be a thing of the past. This means that police officers will have to rely heavily on observations in order to find drunk drivers.

Divorce is difficult for children to handle

On behalf of Howie Law Office, PLLC posted in blog on Friday, April 13, 2018.

The end of a marriage is difficult for everyone involved. When you have children, you might not realize how much they can be impacted by the divorce. Adults tend to think that children will just cope with it all and be fine, but this may not be the case.

Having their parents split up is a hard situation for children. They have to learn how to live with an entirely new family dynamic that is split between two homes. This can make the children stressed, fearful and worried about the future.

What are your plans for medical care in your final days?

On behalf of Howie Law Office, PLLC posted in blog on Thursday, March 15, 2018.

Thinking about your final days on Earth is certainly not pleasant. Even though this is true, you have to think about how unpleasant it would be to be subjected to medical treatments you don't want because you have never documented your wishes and nobody has the legal grounds to stand up for your needs. This situation is where having your living will and power of attorney for health care is essential.

When you are creating the living will and setting up the power of attorney for health care, there are several things that must be handled properly.

What can you do when you aren't receiving child support?

On behalf of Howie Law Office, PLLC posted in blog on Thursday, February 15, 2018.

During or after a divorce, your financial situation can easily become strained. Even if you have a solidly middle-class income, you will incur expenses from the divorce while dealing with reduced income at the same time. Parents who receive custody of their minor children can face particularly serious financial issues when learning to live on a single income.

That, along with a parent's decreased potential for income when caring for kids, is why the courts order the other parent to pay child support. You likely depend on that ordered child support amount to pay your bills, from your rent or mortgage to your car insurance. Child support can also help you buy items you need, like clothing or shoes for the kids, school supplies or even groceries. Without the help of child support, you may struggle to provide the necessities for your family.

Drunk driving in New Hampshire has serious consequences

On behalf of Howie Law Office, PLLC posted in blog on Wednesday, January 17, 2018.

New Hampshire is a state with strict laws against drunk drivers. These laws aren't on the books in an effort to target specific people. Instead, they are simply meant to discourage people from getting behind the wheel drunk because intoxicated drivers can kill people.

Whether you are a resident here or just passing through, the state's drunk driving laws apply to you. Here are some important points you need to remember about drunk driving in this state: