If you have been stopped for operating a vehicle while drunk or impaired on a controlled substance, you may be charged with DUI. There are many possible consequences both from a criminal perspective as well as from a personal and professional standpoint. Let’s take a look at these possible consequences and how a DUI lawyer can help.
Criminal Consequences of a DUI Conviction
Assuming that you are convicted of a DUI, you will likely be sent to jail for a period of several days for a first offense to several months for a second or subsequent offense. You may be sent to prison for months or years if there are aggravating factors such as death or bodily injury to another person while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Other penalties include a fine, probation and a license suspension or revocation.
Professional Consequences of a DUI Conviction
If convicted of a DUI, you may be terminated from your current job. At the very least, you may be required to go to rehab or otherwise seek help as a condition of remaining employed. In some cases, you may lose your job simply for being charged with a DUI as it could reflect poorly on your employer.
For the rest of your life, it may be necessary to disclose on job applications or during interviews the fact that you were convicted of a DUI whether it was for alcohol or drugs. As you may not have a car, any job that you do get will need to be within walking distance or as close to a bus route as possible.
Personal Consequences of a DUI Conviction
A license revocation or suspension means that you can’t drive yourself to school, work or to a friend’s house for a Saturday night party. While your friends and family members may be willing to drive around every so often, don’t expect them to drop everything whenever you need a ride.
Without a job, you may also need to live with your parents or on your friend’s couch, which may strain your relationship with someone close to you. In general, the lack of transportation or money if you don’t have a job may limit what you can do with your time, which can lead to emotional issues as well.
A DUI can have serious ramifications for all parts of your life. A DUI lawyer may be able to help negotiate a plea deal or even have charges dropped. This may reduce the odds that you have to pay a fine or give up your license to drive, which means that you may keep your job or have an easier time living life in general. You can learn more at the Batting Wyman Barristers website.