Driving under the influence can result in serious consequences for yourself and other motorists. If you’re pulled over by the police because they suspect your blood alcohol content (BAC) is over the legal limit, you could face a range of legal penalties. Here are five potential consequences of getting a DUI.
Arrest and Jail Time
You’ll likely be arrested and have to spend some time in jail if you fail a field sobriety or breathalyzer test. Even if it’s a first-time offense, many states impose at least some jail time ranging from one day to one week. If you can’t afford to post bail, you might also be required to wait in jail until your court hearing. A jail sentence may increase up to 120 days for any additional offenses.
Monetary Fines
Fines for driving under the influence can range from a few hundred dollars to more than a thousand dollars if you have a prior record. In addition to the initial fine, you may also have to pay to attend a mandatory drunk driver education program. Some jurisdictions also require offenders to pay for urine testing and county assessment fees in addition to court costs. Your DWI lawyer can help you determine exactly what you’ll need to pay in relation to your offense.
A Suspended License
In most cases, license suspension is one of the automatic consequences of a DUI. Depending on where you live, you may lose your license for up to 30 days for a first-time conviction. Additional DUIs can cause your license to be suspended for over a year or even permanently. If you attempt to drive while your license is suspended and you get caught by authorities, you could face significant jail time and other penalties.
Loss of Employment
As AOL.com states, getting a DUI could end up costing you your job. Some companies have automatic termination policies for any criminal convictions. The time that you have to take off from work to fulfill your jail sentencing or attend court hearings may also cause you to lose your job. You might have further trouble getting future employment with a DUI on your record.
Insurance Rate Increase
You can expect your auto insurance rate to increase dramatically with a DUI conviction. This increase may result in you having to pay thousands of dollars more each year for coverage. The reason for the increase is because your insurance company will consider you to be a greater risk on the road. If your insurance company considers you to be too high of a risk, your coverage might be cancelled.
It’s important to use careful judgment the next time you’re drinking and thinking of getting behind the wheel. The consequences of a DUI could impact many areas of your life and result in long-term hardships.
Author Info: Hannah Whittenly is a freelance writer and mother of two from Sacramento, CA. She enjoys kayaking and reading books by the lake. You can find her on Twitter.
