If you’re facing a DUI, chances are that you are already experiencing some of the psychological and social challenges before you have even been convicted. The stigma of a DUI can stick with you for a long time, but there are other long-term impacts of a DUI conviction that will likely make you reconsider whether you should represent yourself in court or hire an attorney.
In this brief article, our best DUI attorney in Clearwater with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan shares a few of the long-term impacts you may experience if you are convicted of a DUI.
Financial Impacts
Perhaps the most obvious, but the most long-term effect of a DUI conviction comes in the form of your finances. You may be facing steep fines, possibly thousands of dollars, costs of educational courses, counseling and not to mention the costs to recover your vehicle from being impounded.
Additionally, you may find that after a DUI conviction you can experience:
- Insurance rate increases. These may extend for several years after the conviction, even if you are a first-time offender.
- Loss of work due to prison time or criminal record. Your job prospects may become much slimmer, especially if you have a job that requires travel or a driver’s license. You may also find it harder to pass a background check for a new job as a DUI is a criminal offense, not a traffic offense.
- Loss of scholarship opportunities. If you’re in college or hoping to go back to school, many scholarships and grants require no prior criminal history. If you are a current scholarship recipient, a DUI conviction can also cause you to lose your current scholarships.
Social Impacts
In addition to the financial challenges presented by a DUI conviction, you may also experience social isolation. If your driver’s license is revoked, you may have a harder time attending social gatherings and might find that public transit is simply not reliable, when you want (or need) to get somewhere. You can end up losing hours in a day due to public transportation issues, on top of the social challenges that come from a criminal conviction of any kind.
What to Do if You’ve Been Charged with a DUI/DWI
A DUI isn’t the same thing as being charged with a simple traffic offense. Although you might be able to successfully represent yourself in traffic court, you shouldn’t represent yourself with the criminal charge of a DUI. Clearwater DUI lawyers with The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan are available to talk about your options and help you understand your best defense. You may be able to attend a DUI diversion program or have your charges reduced, or even dismissed with the help of an attorney.
For a free consultation with the best DUI attorneys in Clearwater, please contact The Law Office of Timothy Sullivan today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation