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. Tap to call 603-622-7575.
Free consultation.
A traffic ticket can cost more than the fine. Convictions add demerit points to your record, and enough points, or a single reckless driving conviction, can take your license. Attorney Levasseur has practiced law in New Hampshire for 24 years from his office at 396 S Willow St, Manchester, and defends drivers charged anywhere in New Hampshire, including out-of-state drivers.
Speeding Tickets
Most speeding tickets in New Hampshire are violations, not crimes, but paying the fine counts as a conviction. A speeding conviction adds 3 demerit points to your record when you were under 25 mph over the limit, and 4 points at 25 mph or more over (Saf-C 212.03). Driving 100 mph or faster is treated much more seriously: a first offense means a fine of at least $750 plus penalty assessment and a 90-day license revocation (RSA 265:79, II).
Reckless Driving (RSA 265:79)
Reckless driving covers driving recklessly or so that the lives or safety of the public are endangered, along with racing or driving on a bet. It is a violation, but the penalties are steep:
- First offense: fine of $500 to $1,000 plus penalty assessment, and a 60-day license revocation.
- Subsequent offense: fine of at least $750 plus penalty assessment, and a revocation of 60 days to one year.
- Points: a reckless driving conviction adds 6 demerit points (Saf-C 212.03).
The revocation is mandatory on conviction, so how the charge is handled matters.
License Points and Suspensions
NH DMV counts points by violation date (Saf-C 212.02). For drivers 21 and older:
- 12 points in one calendar year: suspension of up to 3 months
- 18 points in two consecutive calendar years: up to 6 months
- 24 points in three consecutive calendar years: up to one year
Drivers under 21 face lower limits: 9, 15, and 21 points for ages 18 to 20, and 6, 12, and 18 points under 18. Separately, a judge may suspend a license for up to 30 days after a conviction under the motor vehicle laws (RSA 263:57).
Ticketed in New Hampshire but Live Out of State?
Many drivers ticketed on I-93, I-95, Route 3, and other NH roads live in Massachusetts or other states. The case is handled in New Hampshire. New Hampshire and Massachusetts both belong to the Driver License Compact, so an NH conviction is reported to your home state, which applies its own law to it. Both states also belong to the Nonresident Violator Compact, so ignoring an NH ticket can put your home state license at risk. Attorney Levasseur can tell you what your case may require from you.
Areas Served
Attorney Levasseur handles speeding and reckless driving cases throughout New Hampshire, including Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Salem, Derry, Londonderry, Merrimack, Portsmouth, Hampton, Keene, Laconia, Plymouth, Conway and North Conway, Lebanon, and Littleton.
Speeding & Reckless Driving FAQs
Is a speeding ticket a crime in New Hampshire?
Most speeding tickets are violations, not crimes. But a conviction still adds demerit points to your driving record: 3 points for under 25 mph over the limit, and 4 points for 25 mph or more over (Saf-C 212.03).
What is the penalty for reckless driving in NH?
Reckless driving under RSA 265:79 is a violation with a fine of $500 to $1,000 plus penalty assessment for a first offense and a 60-day license revocation. A subsequent offense carries a minimum $750 fine plus penalty assessment and a revocation of 60 days to one year. A conviction also adds 6 demerit points.
What happens if I'm caught going 100 mph or more?
Under RSA 265:79, II, driving 100 mph or faster carries a fine of at least $750 plus penalty assessment and a 90-day revocation for a first offense, and at least $1,000 plus penalty assessment and 90 days to one year for a subsequent offense.
How many points before my license is suspended?
For drivers 21 and older, 12 points in one calendar year can mean a suspension of up to 3 months, 18 points in two consecutive years up to 6 months, and 24 points in three consecutive years up to one year. The limits are lower for drivers under 21 (Saf-C 212.02).
I live in Massachusetts. Does a New Hampshire ticket follow me home?
It can. New Hampshire and Massachusetts both belong to the Driver License Compact, which reports convictions to your home state. Your home state then decides the effect under its own law. Both states also belong to the Nonresident Violator Compact, so ignoring an NH ticket can put your home state license at risk.
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.
Talk to a New Hampshire Traffic Lawyer Today
Before you pay a ticket 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.
Free consultation.
This page is attorney advertising and provides general information, not legal advice. Penalties described are under current New Hampshire law and may change. Reading it or contacting the office does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past outcomes do not predict future results.