When you have been arrested and charged with a DUI, you might be wondering why you should bother defending yourself. The effects of a DUI charge and conviction can follow you for years to come, and may impact areas of your life which you might not have considered. In this brief article, a DWI defense attorney in Clearwater with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan shares 5 ways a DUI or DWI charge can impact your life and what to do if you have been arrested for a DUI.
1. You Can Lose Your Driving Privileges
This is possibly the most commonly known impact that being convicted of a DUI can carry: the loss or suspension of your driver’s license. This might not happen right away, but it can cause major problems. You will no longer have a means to drive to work, pick up your children or take them to appointments, go to classes, or simply run errands on your own.
2. You May Face Increased Insurance Rates
If you are allowed to keep your driver’s license you may face major increases on your insurance rates. You might also be dropped from your car insurance carrier altogether depending on how many times you have faced DUI charges. This increase is no chump change. In fact, you might see your rates increase by as much as 80%.
3. A DUI May Impact Your Employment
We mentioned before how losing your license can create an issue getting to work, which has one impact on employment, but it goes beyond that. Your employment prospects may become limited as you might not pass a background check (depending on whether it was a misdemeanor or felony). If you already have a job, you will need extra time off to attend court hearings and trial dates, and can face a slew of scheduling issues.
4. You May Face a Loss of Scholarship or Tuition Assistance
If you’re currently in school or hoping to go back, many scholarships and tuition assistance programs refuse help to anyone who has a criminal charge, including a DUI. You will also miss out on tax credits like the American Opportunity Credit, which takes into account if you have been charged with any crimes before refunding a portion of the tuition and associated fees you pay out of pocket.
5. Your Reputation Will Be Damaged
There is no way to repair a tarnished reputation after you have been charged and convicted with a DUI. This can impact your personal and professional reputations, creating problems with family, friends, and coworkers over time.
Contact a DWI Attorney in Clearwater to Help
Being arrested and charged with a DUI or DWI does not have to mean an automatic conviction. Contact a DWI defense attorney in Clearwater with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan to help you find the best defense for your case. Your attorney will discuss the best strategy to approach your case and will provide you with clear guidance on the best defense available.
For a free consultation with DWI lawyers in Clearwater, please contact The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan today.