Not a Bot!™ When you call, Attorney Joseph Kelly Levasseur answers his own phone. Calls to the office ring through to his cell. No call center, no chatbot. If he is in court, leave a message and he will call you back. Tap to call 603-622-7575.
Free consultation.
Being certified as a habitual offender in New Hampshire can take away your license for years, and driving after certification is a felony. If you received a show cause notice from DMV, or your revocation period is ending and you want your license back, Attorney Levasseur has 24 years of experience with New Hampshire driving cases.
Who Is a Habitual Offender (RSA 259:39)
Under RSA 259:39, a person can be certified as a habitual offender based on convictions within a 5-year period, counted by offense date. The most common path is three or more convictions for listed serious offenses, which include DWI, driving after suspension, reckless driving, disobeying an officer, and conduct after an accident. Other paths combine a larger number of lesser motor vehicle convictions. Nonresidents with NH convictions can be certified too.
The DMV Show Cause Hearing (RSA 262:19)
When DMV believes you qualify, it orders you to appear at a hearing to show why you should not be barred from driving. Your conviction record is treated as evidence, and you have the burden to prove anything in it is wrong. If you do not appear, you are defaulted and certified. If you are certified, DMV revokes your license for one to four years.
Driving After Certification (RSA 262:23)
Driving while a habitual offender order is in effect is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Sentencing can be suspended only in narrow cases of extreme emergency.
Getting Your License Back (RSA 262:24)
After the revocation period ends, you may petition DMV for restoration. The director may restore your license for good cause, on terms and conditions DMV sets, along with the regular licensing requirements. Attorney Levasseur can help you prepare the petition and gather what DMV needs.
What Happens Next
Whether you are fighting certification, defending a charge, or planning for restoration, timing matters. Call before your hearing date. Results depend on your record and the facts, and no outcome can be promised.
Areas Served
Attorney Levasseur defends drivers in Manchester, Nashua, Salem, Derry, Londonderry, Merrimack, Portsmouth, and courts throughout Hillsborough County and Rockingham County. He also represents Massachusetts drivers, including from Lowell and the Merrimack Valley, who are charged in New Hampshire.
Habitual Offender FAQs
How many convictions make you a habitual offender in NH?
Commonly three or more convictions for listed serious offenses, such as DWI, driving after suspension, or reckless driving, within 5 years. RSA 259:39 also has paths based on larger numbers of lesser motor vehicle convictions.
How long is a habitual offender revocation?
If DMV certifies you after the show cause hearing, it revokes your license for one to four years under RSA 262:19.
What if I miss the DMV hearing?
Under RSA 262:19, a person who fails to appear is defaulted and certified as a habitual offender, effective 30 days from the hearing date.
Is driving as a habitual offender a felony?
Yes. Under RSA 262:23 it is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
How do I get my license back?
After the revocation period, you can petition DMV for restoration under RSA 262:24. The director may restore it for good cause, with conditions.
How much does a consultation cost?
The first consultation is free. Fees for handling your case are explained in a written fee agreement you will review before deciding anything.
Will I actually talk to the lawyer when I call?
Yes. That is what Not a Bot!™ means. Attorney Levasseur answers his own phone, and office calls ring through to his cell. If he is in court or with a client, leave a message and he will call you back.
Related Pages
Talk to a New Hampshire Habitual Offender Lawyer Today
Before you plead, pay, or go to court, call Attorney Joseph Kelly Levasseur at 603-622-7575 or visit our contact page. Office: 396 S Willow St, Manchester, NH 03103. 24 years in practice.
Free consultation. Fees for handling your case are explained in a written fee agreement before you decide anything.
This page is attorney advertising and provides general information, not legal advice. Penalties described are under current New Hampshire law and may change. Contacting the office does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past outcomes do not predict future results.