Drivers are charged with DWI, or driving while intoxicated, in New Mexico if their BA, or blood alcohol content, is greater than .08 percent. This BAC limit drops to .04 percent for operators of commercial vehicles and .02 percent for drivers under the age of 21. A DWI charge is also possible when a driver is under the influence of any amount of any controlled substance.
Since 2007, marijuana has been legal for some limited amount of medical use under Senate Bill 523, the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act. This act does not alter the existing traffic laws for medical marijuana patients, however.
New Mexico additionally has an “aggravated DWI” charge that occurs when the BAC is at or over .16 percent or if bodily injury is caused in the course of the incident resulting in the DWI. This charge adds an additional two mandatory days in jail for the first offense and more with each subsequent offense.
Implied Consent
New Mexico DWI laws include an Implied Consent Act. This means that anyone accepting a driver’s license and operating a motor vehicle with it implies automatically that they give consent to alcohol and drug testing if a police officer determines there is probable cause. Drivers who refuse to take the test will have their license revoked. It takes 20 days for a revocation to go into effect, and administrative hearings to protest the revocation must be initiated within 10 days of the DWI stop. Refusing a test removes any possibility that your license will not be revoked later by the court. Drivers whose licenses have been revoked can only continue to drive with a restricted license that requires an ignition interlock device be placed on the vehicle.
Felony DWI
DWI becomes a fourth degree felony under New Mexico DWI laws upon the driver’s fourth offense, regardless of how much time has elapsed since the previous charges. A fourth DWI carries harsh penalties: lifetime license revocation with appeal not allowed for five years, six months mandatory prison time (with up to 18 months possible), a fine of up to $5,000, an ignition interlock (if a restricted license is permitted) required for five years, and periodic alcohol evaluations and mandatory treatment. A fifth offense increases the mandatory prison sentence to one year. As of conviction of a sixth offense, the charge becomes a third degree felony with a mandatory 18 month prison sentence, and a seventh offense ups the mandatory minimum sentence to two years.
Recent Changes to New Mexico DWI Laws
A law that took effect in July of 2009 changed the requirements for drivers whose licenses were revoked to get their licenses reinstated. Drivers must now pay a $100 reinstatement fee, show that they have complied with any court-ordered ignition lock requirements and successfully complete their revocation period. Drivers must provide proof that they have not tampered with or circumvented the ignition interlock device in any way for a period of six months.
Legislation is currently being considered by the state senate that would prevent anyone who currently has an ignition interlock device on their vehicle from buying alcohol anywhere in the state.