The Long Term Impact Of A DUI
Can you guess what the most common criminal offense in the country might be? If you guessed driving under the influence then you are 100 percent right. Countless otherwise-law-abiding citizens make the mistake of driving after they’ve had just a drink or two too many—and in the blink of an eye, their entire life can seem to unravel.
Ignoring the obvious health and safety risks of driving while intoxicated, a DUI conviction can bring some serious legal ramifications—and some consequences that will haunt you for a long time to come. These consequences are all the more pronounced if you don’t have a skilled DUI attorney to fight your case for you.
In this post, we’ll take a quick look at some of the disastrous ways in which a DUI conviction can affect you over the long haul.
How a DUI Conviction Can Haunt You
1. You can get your driver’s license revoked.
Driver’s license revocation is the first and most obvious impact of a DUI conviction. The duration of your license revocation depends on several factors, including your own criminal history; even for a first-time offender, though, the revocation could last as long as 24 months! This, in turn, can make it extremely inconvenient (or expensive) for you to do something simple like venture out to run errands. You may even lose your job, if it’s a position that requires driving.
2. Your DUI will show up in background checks.
Additionally, getting a DUI means that the criminal conviction will show up on background checks that are run on you—including checks for college loans, for housing applications, and beyond.
3. Your DUI can imperil your employability.
Because DUI convictions show up on background checks, they can really jeopardize your odds of getting a job. But it’s not just future jobs that are in question; you could lose your current job, too. Getting a DUI conviction usually means a lot of time spent in courtrooms, which can make it tough for you to do your job and stay on schedule. Plus, some employers simply aren’t comfortable employing someone with a criminal offense on their record.
4. You may end up paying more in auto insurance.
When you get into a fender-bender, it tends to cause your insurance premiums to spike a little bit. Just imagine how much worse those increases can be when it’s an instance of driving under the influence. A DUI conviction can cause your premium rates to skyrocket, and it may be years before those rates come back down.
5. You may face other personal or professional setbacks.
Finally, just note that DUI arrests are often reported by the local media—which means there is a decent chance your issue will be discovered by friends or by people you work with. This can certainly lead to some awkwardness and potentially even cause you to lose some close relationships.
Find a DUI Attorney Who Will Fight for Your Rights
Clearly, a DUI can have catastrophic impacts on your whole life—but the good news is that there are attorneys who can fight for your rights and help you show your innocence. At the very least, a good DUI lawyer will help minimize the consequences you face.
That’s where Davis-Jones Law comes in. We have ample experience defending those who are facing DUI charges, and we are known for our mixture of skilled and aggressive representation. If you have been charged with a DUI and need a lawyer in the Austin, Texas area, we invite you to contact our firm for a consultation.