DUI Penalties
DUI Conviction Risks
You may already know that a DUI conviction can result in a suspended driver's license, increased automobile insurance rates and even jail time. But if you're facing DUI charges following your DUI arrest, regardless of whether you were or were not involved in a DUI accident, consider having a DUI attorney in your corner who can help you understand what's at risk and if there are possible challenges in your case to explore.
DUI laws are constantly evolving, and few of those changes work in favor of the DUI defendant. New laws in many states have increased the penalties for underage drivers who have any trace of alcohol in their systems and increased the penalties for drivers whose BACs are higher than a certain threshold - such as .15 or above.
In some states, there are now increased penalties for drivers who are under the influence when a child is in the car, and separate penalties if adult passengers are present. There will likely be additional consequences if a drunk driver injures someone, as well as increased penalties for multiple DUI convictions. For specific information on your state's DUI and DWI penalties and what they may mean to you, speak to a local DUI lawyer as soon as possible.
DUI Penalties Imposed by the Court or Mandated by DUI Law
Some penalties you may face if convicted of DUI include:
- Jail or prison time
- Vehicle seizure
- Driver's license suspension
- Installation of an ignition interlock system on your car
- Substantial fines
- License plate suspension
- Mandatory drug and alcohol education classes or counseling
- Required purchase of high risk insurance
- Probation
- Civil liability for any bodily injury or property damage you cause
- Community service
Additional Risks of a DUI Conviction
A DUI conviction may also carry indirect penalties, such as increased automobile insurance rates and limitations on future employment opportunities. Of course, employment opportunities may be naturally limited by the transportation problems created by a DUI license suspension. Increasingly, the conviction itself may preclude work in certain fields or with certain companies.
If you have a commercial driver's license, which includes school bus drivers, you may risk losing that license completely depending on your DUI convictions.
However, with the increasing legal penalties for DUI, groups like MADD bringing more publicity to DUI issues and the growing ease with which potential employers can conduct criminal background checks, that impact of a DUI conviction is spreading beyond jobs directly requiring a clean driving record.
Because the penalties and consequences for drunk driving are serious, you may want an attorney to handle your DUI case. If you have already been arrested or charged with a DUI offense, don't delay. Call us at 877-349-1311 or fill out a free DUI case evaluation form. We will connect you with a DUI lawyer in your area today!
The above summary of DUI penalties is by no means all-inclusive and is not legal advice. Laws may have changed since our last update. For the latest information on DUI laws and penalties, speak to a DUI attorney in your area.
