First time convictions for DUI or driving under the influence can have drastic consequences on a person’s life in a dramatic way. Beyond the high cost of hiring a DUI lawyer to represent you before the court system, some cases of driving while intoxicated can cross the boundaries of criminal law where the penalties are naturally severe. The consequences of a DUI/DWI are far reaching and most often when charged and convicted, will affect one’s professional career, personal life, and future. Despite the fact that there are strict drinking and driving laws in every state that mandate fines, penalties and in some cases jail time for felony DUI offenders, according to the latest statistics every year more than one hundred thousand men and women are arrested and charged with a DUI offense under the applicable laws of their state.

It should be of no surprise that society in general frowns upon those caught and arrested for driving while under the influence. During the past 25 years, influential organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving, (MADD) and Bikers Against Drunk Driving (BADD) have greatly increased the awareness of the consequences of how a drunk driver can alter one’s life. These organizations have presented case-by-case accounts of testimonies before Congress and State Senators of how individuals’ lives have been impacted as a result of individuals driving recklessly and irresponsibly. This has led to stiffer state and national Felony DUI laws which impose more severe fines and penalties for those who are charged.

Common DUI Penalties

Should you ever get charged and convicted of a DUI there’s a whole series of charges that you are likely to face. A reputable DUI lawyer will tell you that it does not stop with a traffic law violation. Often new offenders are left feeling overwhelmed when they are confronted with the true penalties of the driving crime. While a DUI defense lawyer is there to represent your criminal case, it does not lessen the psychological impact of the immanent charges.

When a person is arrested, the first thing they are like to lose is their driving license. If a police officer asks you to take a breathalyzer test and you refuse, you will be taken into custody where a mandatory surrender of blood alcohol content (BAC) will be forced upon you. If your BAC exceeds the minimum percentage of 0.08, you will be charged and the legal process against you will commence. It is not advisable to represent yourself, but to enlist the legal services of a DUI lawyer since a charge and conviction will lead to even stiffer penalties, forced installment of ignition-interlock devices, mandatory classes, costly fines and jail time if convicted. First time offenders or repeat offenders charged with felony DUI under aggravated cases resulting in a vehicle accident or damage to personal property can end up spending several years in jail and facing penalty fines of up to $10,000 or more.

Personal DUI Consequences

If the high cost of legal fees for hiring an DUI lawyer are not enough combined with the stringent penalties of a conviction for driving under the influence, then the havoc that it can wreak of one’s personal and professional life should be sufficient to dissuade one from getting behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol. While you may think you have a panned route to safely navigate home after drinking one too many, encountering one unexpected checkpoint while intoxicated can place you on the road to financial hardships and can severely weigh upon your personal life. Moreover, the fines for commercial drivers’ license holders (and for those under the age of 21) are even more severe.

It’s critically important to view your drunk driving case as a serious matter with an understanding that a dui defense lawyer’s professional training and courtroom experience will be of tremendous value in lessening the severity of a conviction. A DUI arrest affects an individual’s personal life in many adverse ways. Not only does the person charged risks having to serve possible prison time, but one’s family, friends and even coworkers are often touched by the negative consequences. Family life is disrupted with the loss of your driving privileges, thus placing the burden on other members of the family for your essential transportation. Secondly, insurance carriers frown on issuing vehicle protection for those convicted of a DUI. Should you find one that is willing to insure you, the premiums will be extremely costly. Third, employers tend to make character judgments on employees that get arrested for driving under the influence. Depending on your job description, you could be terminated and let go. Lastly, if a DUI Attorney manages to get your sentence reduced, you could end up under house arrest, doing community service for up to six months, and having to take random drug and alcohol tests. This is often accommodated by having to take mandatory DWI/DUI classes at your expense.
  
These are just a few reasons it is essential to hire a qualified DUI attorney to represent your case. Depending upon the indictment and criminal conviction, the laws of your state may or may not have provisions that lighten the degree of the penalties associated with acquiring a DWI/DUI arrest.

When Should You Hire A DUI/DWI Attorney?

It is recommended to seek out a law firm for professional legal counsel as soon as you are arrested. Finding a DUI lawyer that has the qualifications and experience in dealing in such cases is the first step in the right direction. Given that you will actually have two distinct charges filed against you, one with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and the other with the state. Upon an arrest, a person has 7 days to file an appeal before their driver’s license is suspended or revoked. A DUI Lawyer understands the paperwork and filing code and requirements that must be met to best handle the initial arrest. 

Before you retain the legal consulting services of a DUI/DWI attorney or lawyer to help mitigate and settle your criminal charge, make sure the lawyer has updated legal credentials in place. He or she must have a current license issued by the state in which they practice certifying they have passed the bar exam and are licensed in the state. If they are listed with one or more organizations, National College of Drunk Driving Defense (NCDD) and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), all the better since these organizational members can be searched via a database by state such as Phoenix, Arizona or California, city i.e. Los Angeles or San Diego or by county as in Orange County California. You will be able to contact the law firms in your city and set up a consultation.

In conclusion, while DWI (Driving While Intoxicated), DUI (Driving Under the Influence) and DUII (Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants) are all governed by separate laws and has various degrees of punishment, certified practicing DUI lawyer, will understand the complexities of the law as they apply in your city, county or state and will be able to defend you against the criminal charges. The outcome of the courtroom proceedings could result in reduced charges for both felony and misdemeanor and lighter sentences. This does not do away with your personal responsibility to drink safely. You should practice prudent sobriety measures at all times in order to protect yourself and other motorists while on the roadway.

Just remember that DUI penalties and consequences are very costly, but does not compare to recklessly injuring and pedestrian or motorist, nor does the penalties compare to having to live with the painful thoughts of taking another person’s life while drinking and driving. When fatalities are involved, this is something you will have to live with for the rest of your life.