Five Financial Consequences Of Getting a DUI
Thousands of DUI cases go through the court system on a daily basis, according to statistics that the Statistic Brain Research Institute presented. In 2013, more than 215,000 cases went to court in the state of California.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious offense in every state in the United States. The consequences of a conviction for such a crime can devastate a person’s life.
The following are six of the top consequences of getting a DUI:
Jail Time
Jail time is one of the toughest consequences of getting a DUI charge in any state. Just a few days in jail can cause a person to lose his or her job. Jail time can be anywhere from a few days to a few months depending on the offense number. The consequences go up each time the person receives a conviction for the offense. Missed work is a significant cause of loss of money.
High Fines
Fines are one of the other harsh consequences of a DUI conviction. The offender may have to pay a fine along with an administrative fee and a license renewal fee if he or she loses driving privileges.
Sky-High Insurance Rates
Insurance companies frown upon people who receive DUI offenses. Offenders can receive license points each time they receive a DUI conviction. A DUI conviction can leave as many as six points on a driver’s license. Insurance companies will not cover a person who has more than 12 points on a license. Additionally, the insurance premiums are sky-high for DUI offenders because of the risk of a subsequent incident.
Alcohol Classes
A convicted person may have to take alcohol education classes before the authorities will let that person drive a vehicle again. The goal is to ensure that the person has full knowledge of the illegal alcohol limits and the responsibilities that he or she has as a driver. The judge may order alcohol classes to ensure that a convicted person does not get into the same trouble again. Alcohol education classes can help to shape a driver into a responsible person. Some judges may order a convicted person to go to an alcohol rehabilitation center, as well.
Loss of License
A convicted DUI offender may lose the right to operate his or her license on a first offense. Many states will remove driver’s privileges after a conviction. For example, the state of Florida may suspend someone’s driving privileges for up to six months.
The state of Georgia may suspend a person’s driving privileges for up to one year. Indiana and Iowa may suspend someone’s license for up to 18 months’ time. Losing a license may mean losing a job, or paying extra for public transportation.
The first step that an accused person should take is contact a criminal lawyer in San Diego. An attorney can assist a driver with clearing his or her name and trying to get the charges dropped.
Even if the judge ends up convicting the accused person, an attorney can request a lenient sentence or alternative sentencing. Alternative sentencing may be something such as community service or weekend time. Contacting an attorney the moment an accusation comes in is extremely important.
Category: Family Finances
