Driving under the influence (DUI) is the most common criminal offense these days. Many diligent and new drivers with clean records find themselves arrested for DUI and their lives go in a dizzying tailspin from which they could not pull out.
DUI convictions have major consequences and some stick around for many years. The short-term consequences of DUI, includes temporary driver’s license suspension, fines and fees, high insurance premiums, court-mandated community services, participation in drunk driving education programs, and even short period jail time.
Unfortunately, in the long-term case, DUI can cause greater pain. Even after paying up your fine and fulfill your legal obligations, your DUI conviction can hunt down your future. Learning how you might get affected by DUI is an important step for protecting you, your family and your future. In such cases, a local DUI attorney will be able to help you. In cities like Summerville, DUI incidents are rising. Contact a Summerville drunk driving lawyer to protect your rights if you get involved in a DUI accident.
Some of the long-term consequences of a DUI conviction:
- Driver’s License Revocation
For your first DUI conviction, your driver’s license can be revoked for about two years. It will affect your work also if your position requires you to drive and may result in the loss of your job. You will lose the freedom to drive your own car, it is stressful. Without a license you cannot drive to any family gathering, you may also arrive late for work frequently and feel frustrated, and will be less attentive when you finally get there. It will also affect your job performance.
- Background Checks
Many companies conduct background checks before they hire applicants. A felony or DUI conviction will appear in a background check that obstructs your efforts to secure a job. These background checks are also conducted by college during admission processes and housing applications. Landlords often conduct background checks and a DUI conviction can jeopardize your chances of getting the place of your choice.
- Employment
Due to DUI arrest and conviction, your current job may also get affected. Courts dates, jail time, and community service hours can bring out chaos on your work schedule and put your job at risk. Job seekers may be at a severe disadvantage to other applicants if they have a DUI or a felony on their records. While your DUI conviction may not have anything to do with the job you are applying for but many employers are uncomfortable hiring applicants who have DUI convictions. And clearly, a job which requires driving a company vehicle, such as sales, pizza delivery, truck driving, catering, or cab driving jobs, may be closed to you.
- Personal and Professional Relationship
A DUI arrest, not even a conviction, can adversely affect the way you are treated by your coworkers and employer. You may experience the feeling of shame and embarrassment about how your friends and family members feel about you. You may become irritated or resentful if someone discusses your DUI.
- Scholarship Programs
Many schools and colleges do not accept the students with DUI conviction on their records and scholarship may be revoked or denied.
A DUI arrest or conviction may have a devastating impact on you for many years. If you want to avoid DUI Consequences you need to make sure that you never drive your vehicle when you are drunk.
