A driving under the influence (DUI) arrest or conviction has a significant impact on just about every aspect of your life for the rest of your life, from your employment to your housing and even your ability to improve yourself by going back to school. According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, there were 19,538 DUI arrests statewide in 2019, and DUI is one of the most common crimes in the U.S.
Tennesseeduilawyeronline.com, a criminal defense attorney serving Knoxville and Nashville, warns that DUI convictions in Tennessee can never be expunged, so they will permanently be part of the public record.
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A DUI conviction can lead to a revocation of your driver’s license, jail time, and hefty fines starting at $300 for the first DUI. If your blood alcohol content (BAC) was .20 or higher, you could be in jail for a minimum of seven days on your first offense.
A DUI is sure to show up on a pre-employment criminal background check. Whether you have been charged with a felony or misdemeanor DUI, your conviction could prevent you from getting a job. Even if you already have a job, there are still consequences to pay as you will be required to attend court and may be required to complete community service hours, not to mention jail time, which takes considerable time away from work. Your employer may decide to penalize you for these frequent absences. If your job requires you to drive a car, you may be fired since you cannot drive with a revoked license.
A DUI also affects your education. If you are in school and/or on a scholarship, your funds may be revoked or denied. Some colleges and universities require the applicants to disclose any criminal history on their application, or they conduct background checks.
Landlords also conduct background checks before opening apartments or housing to tenants. However, a DUI conviction severely jeopardizes your chance of being able to live where you want to live.
A DUI also affects your personal relationships. You may feel guilty or ashamed of your DUI. Family members and friends may ask you for embarrassing details, avoid you, or may start monitoring you every time you drink.
Insurance companies base their rates on how likely a driver can cause an accident or put others at risk. Driving under the influence is a type of reckless driving, so you can bet that your rates will skyrocket for at least a few years after your conviction, or in some cases, they may even cancel your policy.
If you are facing charges for driving under the influence, then you need to hire a DUI attorney. A lawyer negotiates with other lawyers every day, whereas the average person doesn’t. They are experienced in fighting for their clients’ rights and can explain them to you before you say something in front of one of the officers or in court that could make matters worse. By hiring a personal injury attorney, you are more likely to have your charges reduced or even dropped. There is a lot on the line, so you should call a lawyer today.
