If you are facing a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), you might think you can pay the fine and forget about it.
However, there are other penalties to deal with, and a conviction on your record can adversely affect the plans you have for the future.
Keeping or finding employment
If your current job involves driving, a DUI mark on your record may be cause for your employer to terminate you. When you begin looking for new work, you may face rejection, even if you have the qualifications for the job you seek. Recruiters usually run background checks on applicants. Because of the DUI conviction, the recruiter may hesitate to hire you in case you have a problem with alcohol addiction.
Losing the opportunity for professional licensing
A DUI on your record will disqualify you from obtaining the certification or state licensing you need to enter certain professions. These include education, law and medicine.
Needing new auto insurance
The agency that provides your auto insurance may view you as a high-risk driver once they see that DUI mark. They might either cancel your policy altogether or issue you a new policy at a much higher rate.
Challenging your charge
If law enforcement arrests you on suspicion of DUI, you should not hesitate to seek legal guidance. Do not assume that your arrest was without flaws. Your advocate will investigate thoroughly. For example, the calibration on the device used for your breath test could be out of date. The officer who stopped you may not have followed procedures correctly. Given the roadblocks a DUI conviction could raise on the path to your future, you want the best outcome possible for your case.