9 Ways DUI Driving Can Alter Your Future and Finances

The consequences of a DUI arrest can have devastating effects on a person’s life. There are many possible outcomes, but many of them can have extreme negative effects from which you cannot recover so easily. Here are some ways DUI driving can alter your future and finances.

Suspended license

A DUI license usually results in the suspension of a driver’s license. Even if you don’t have to drive to work or depend on your driving for some other reasons, this might nevertheless influence your career prospects. This is especially true for those whose jobs include driving. It will still be necessary for you to reach your workplace, and this will significantly affect you if you are a commuter. Most people cannot afford to take a cab or hire a private driver, and public transit isn’t always reliable. Also, if your profession requires you to have a driving license, this arrest can be detrimental to your career. If the authority decides to suspend your license, you may need to seek advice from experts like the ones at Chicago Trusted Attorneys, who could help you reduce the suspension. The decision the authority makes is not final; you can appeal it if you have a good reason to do so.

Loss of insurance

To ensure that you may still drive to and from work after a DUI conviction, you can be qualified for a limited license. The insurance company may not agree to let you keep your license just because the authorities have approved it. Moreover, a DUI conviction often results in insurance companies denying coverage. When an employer’s insurance carrier refuses to cover an employee who is required to drive for work, it might lead to serious complications. Also, the insurance premiums will be much higher after the conviction than they were before.

Expenses 

If you drive under the influence and get caught, you have to expect that you will have some hefty fines to pay. How much you will be fined depends on the way you were driving the car and how much alcohol you drank. If it is a first-time offense, then you can expect a fine from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. The second time, the fine will be much bigger. If it involves some aggravating factors, the fine will be bigger, and you could possibly be facing time in prison.

Prison sentence

Sometimes a DUI case can lead to a prison sentence and you should be aware of that. The obvious way this can happen is if something happened while the person was driving. For example, if the person killed or injured someone, if there was property damage, and many other scenarios. What you may not know is that if you have been caught multiple times while driving under the influence, you can also get a prison sentence. In some states, if you have a high concentration of alcohol in your blood, the same can be done. Of course, if you assault an officer during the stop, you can also be detained and then imprisoned. For people who are on probation for a previous DUI conviction, their probation ends, and they go back to prison.

Community service

Another form of punishment for driving in this state is that the authority orders you to do community service. This way, the person can bring something back to the community while also being punished for their crime. What community service is required depends on the jurisdiction, but some common ones are cleaning public places, assisting charities, and other work that helps the public. The number of hours can vary greatly depending on the offense and the jurisdiction.

Ignition interlock device

In some jurisdictions, it is not enough for some offenders just to pay their fines to start driving again, but what the authority decides to do is install an ignition interlock device. What this tool does is that, before you start your car, you need to do a breathalyzer. This way, they want to ensure that you do not drive while under the influence. The way some IIDs make sure that you are taking the test is by making you provide your license or fingertip as a way to identify yourself. Some require you to do a random test while driving so that they know you did the test.

Future mental issues

One thing you have to realize is that every action you take in your life has its consequences. Most likely you have had some drinks, drove your car, and nothing happened but that does not mean that will always be the case. It only takes one fatal case and you can be scared for your whole life. No matter what sentence you get for what you have done, you will never be able to fully recover from all the psychological damage. Many people completely lose themselves after they have injured or killed someone while under the influence.

Bad Reputation

After all the legal troubles you will have to go through and all the fees you will need to pay, there are more problems that you have on your back. It is normal, especially if you are living in a small town, that you will be the main topic of conversation in your town. If you have caused some injury or something worse with your driving, you will have it even worse. Also, you know how such conversations go. They will not just tell what has happened; they will add many lies to the story, and the misinformation will spread like wildfire. What is the worst about these circumstances is that you cannot do anything about them. No matter how much you change and explain to people what the truth is, it won’t make a difference.

Employment

A DUI can hurt your future chances for employment. If you have a criminal record, many employers will hesitate to hire you. It could even affect your current job.

DUI is not a small offense, and it should not be because people’s lives are at stake. There are many consequences for people who drink and drive and get caught, and most of them are truly life-changing.