Driving under the influence (DUI) used to be of little consequence, but some of those arrested are shocked at the magnitude of seriousness they might face. Taking this offense seriously is important if you are to fight the charges and have the arrest affect your life as little as possible. Read on to find out more about what might be in store for you if you end up getting convicted of DUI charges.
Hitting You in Your Wallet
No matter where you live, a DUI conviction will cost you. Even if you are a first-time offender and accept a plea bargain, you can anticipate spending from several hundred to several thousand dollars before the entire process ends. You might find some of the following financial obligations impacting your savings and budget after a conviction:
- Court costs
- Legal assistance
- Alcohol abuse classes and counseling
- Cost for probation
- Victim restitution contributions (even if there was no victim in your case, you still have to pay towards the fund)
- Bail bonding services
- Having a driver's license reinstated and being issued a restricted driving permit
- The cost of an ignition interlock device (see below)
- Fines on the sentence
- and more.
Incarceration
You might not have to go to jail (after you are released following bail payment) if you are a first-time offender, depending on where you live. In some cases, however, you can be jailed for days, weeks or months if you are a first-timer, repeat offender or for an aggravated DUI.
Ignition Interlock Device Placement
If you allowed to drive at all, you might have to blow into a device to get your vehicle started. This device measures the level of alcohol using a portable breathalyzer attached to your vehicle. If the device detects alcohol, the car won't start and your probation officer is alerted.
Driver's License Issues
The governing body that controls driving privileges in your state has the power to snatch your license before you are even out on bail. To get it back, it may require you perform a number of actions. You must recognize that the DMV and the court system are separate but somewhat connected agencies and that dealing with one does not make things right with both of them.
Getting charged with a DUI are one thing, being convicted of those charges is something far more serious. Speak to a DUI attorney about your case as soon as possible for help getting the charge reduced or dropped.
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