Five Realities of a Drunk Driving Conviction

Most people are aware that a conviction of driving under the influence can bring hefty penalties. A person convicted of drunk driving faces jail time, hefty fines and court costs. What many people don’t consider are all of the consequences, as most are only worried about the immediate ones. Here are five consequences, including jail time, that should be considered before you make the decision to drink and drive.

1. Inconvenience

If you are convicted of a DUI, you will lose your license for a specific amount of time. This can be a minor annoyance or a major inconvenience. Driving is something that most of us take for granted. When we can’t do it, we have to rely on friends and family members, or even public transportation, to get us where we need to go.

2. Jail Time

Being sentenced to jail is perhaps the most daunting of all penalties imposed after a drunk driving conviction. You may be able to secure an alternative sentence, but being sent to jail is a distinct and very real possibility. If you are forced to spend time behind bars, your entire life could be effected.

3. Employment

For some people, a license is required to maintain their employment. A driving under the influence conviction can mean that the license cannot be renewed. If this happens, you will experience financial hardship that can effectively ruin your life. If your job includes the need to drive, you could find that you are not able to maintain your current employment.

4. Criminal Record

Once you are convicted of a DUI, you are subject to a lifetime’s criminal record. This will follow you and can impact your ability to find housing, secure credit or maintain employment. A criminal conviction is a black mark against you that you don’t want to deal with.

5. Emotional Toll

Many people don’t stop to consider the emotional toll of a conviction for DUI. You may become embarrassed or afraid to interact with friends and family. You might find that you are persistently anxious or stressed out. It may not only be the conviction that weighs heavily on your mind, but any injury or damage that you caused as a result of your actions. Imagine living with the knowledge that you hurt someone.

Being convicted of a DUI is nothing to scoff at. A conviction of this type can have lasting consequences that you haven’t begun to consider yet. If you are in danger of being convicted of a DUI, you need immediate assistance.

If you have been charged with a DUI in Orlando, call our team of attorneys now. We will schedule an appointment for a free case evaluation and advise you of the options available to you under current state law. Call now for assistance and let us help ensure that your consequences, if any, are fair and just.