August 8th, 2016

How much does a night out on the town in Portsmouth cost these days?

This week, it may cost many thousands of dollars. The NH State Police have announced that they will be using federal funds to conduct a DWI Roadblock somewhere in the Portsmouth area, sometime this week (week of August 7, 2016). The best bet would be Thursday, Friday or Saturday night.

DWI Exception to the Constitution

Most of the time - even in cases involving suspected murderers, rapists or even terrorists - the police cannot conduct random stops of individuals without reasonable suspicion to believe that a crime has been committed, is being committed, or is about to be committed. However -- as in so many other areas -- DWI is different. As long as the purpose of the highway roadblock is to interdict drunk drivers, and not to find drugs or evidence of other types of crimes,and as long as the police comply with several other constitutional requirements, DWI roadblocks may be upheld by the courts. You can read about the law pertaining to DWI "Checkpoints" / Roadblocks here.

Tallying the Cost of a Night Out in Portsmouth this Week

Portsmouth has top-drawer restaurants and bars - with top-drawer prices. But this week, the price is going sky high. Here's what a night out may cost you and/or your loved ones, if you get ensnared in this week's DWI Roadblock:

  • Dinner and drinks for two: $140
  • Towing Fee: $300
  • Court Fine: $620
  • Impaired Driver Care Management Program: $990
  • SR-22: big spike in insurance rates
  • Lawyer Fees: ???

So if you don't use a designated driver, taxi, Uber or hotel... going out drinking in Portsmouth this week may lead to a really long, really bad, and really expensive hangover.