Facing a drunk driving charge means that you’re going to have to devote a lot of time, money and energy to addressing the matter. Many people focus on the legal aspects of this type of criminal issue; however, many individuals will also find that there are other consequences that they’ll face.
In some cases, the impacts of a conviction are directly related to the criminal history. It’s also possible that there will be some consequences that are due to the drunk driving but not necessarily because of a criminal conviction.
Financial difficulties
The cost of drunk driving can be high. You’ll have fees from various places. This can include your attorney, an alcohol assessment program, the court, the probation office, a specialized court program like drug court or a host of other fees. You may also have a fine to pay. You’ll have to pay for the reinstatement of your driver’s license, and your insurance premiums will likely increase.
Career impacts
Your career can also suffer. Some job positions require you to have a clean driving record, so a DUI would violate that policy. Your employer’s insurer might not be willing to cover you to drive company vehicles. Even if you can keep your job, you’ll likely have to miss work for things like court appearances and participation in required programs.
Social losses
You may lose your driver’s license because of the drunk driving charge. This can make it difficult for you to be able to go out with friends unless they can pick you up or you can use public transportation. The lack of being able to drive may also make it challenging to run normal errands, such as going to pick up groceries.
One of the best ways to combat the possibility of having to face these consequences is to work on a defense strategy quickly after you’re charged. Your attorney can help you to find out about the options that you have. Be sure that you explore the options for the criminal matter, as well as for the administrative points. This ensures that you have all the bases covered.