Ways That DUI Convictions Affect You Long Term
Even if you know and understand the short-term consequences of getting a DUI — jail time, license suspension, and fines — you might not have ever considered how a DUI conviction can affect your future. Sure, you can lose your driver's license if you're convicted of driving under the influence, but there's a lot more you can lose too. Learn more about the long-term consequences of DUI convictions.
Your Job
Before you get behind the wheel of a car intoxicated, you need to consider how a getting a DUI will affect your job. Depending on the laws in your state and your prior arrest record, you could be sentenced to jail time. If you don't have to spend any time in jail, you might be required to do community service or report to a probation officer. All of these options will require you to miss work, which probably won't make your boss happy, and if you don't have paid vacation or sick days pending, the additional days off could end up costing you your job. If your job requires you to do any amount of driving, there's also a chance you could automatically lose your job if you're convicted of a DUI.
Future Employment Opportunities
Did you know that your future employment opportunities could be affected by a DUI conviction? Both misdemeanor and felony DUIs will show up during a criminal background check, and criminal background checks are standard procedure for many employers. If the job you want involves any type of driving, it could ruin your chances immediately. However, a DUI conviction can affect your chances of landing a job even if the job you want doesn't involve driving. Many companies won't hire people who have felonies on their records, regardless of the nature of the felony. You might have a better chance at landing the job you want if your DUI is considered a misdemeanor. However, there's a good chance that if it comes between you and someone with a clean record, the company would choose the person without a criminal record.
Money
Anyone who has been convicted of a DUI should expect their car insurance premiums to increase. A DUI conviction makes you a high-risk driver, which can increase your insurance rates. If you're allowed to keep your driver's license, you might be required to purchase a SR22 bond as part of your auto insurance policy. A SR22 bond is a guarantee of liability coverage specifically for drivers who are high risk. Keep in mind, it's in addition to your normal auto insurance policy, and you'll have to pay for both your insurance policy's premium and your SR22 bond — which most likely will be billed together.
Felony DUIs
A felony DUI conviction can cause you to lose numerous additional privileges. For example, people with felonies on their record aren't allowed to purchase firearms or ammunition. Felony convictions can also make obtaining a passport difficult.
Ultimately, if you get a DUI conviction — regardless if it's considered a misdemeanor or a felony — it could affect your life in numerous ways for a long time. So, if you're arrested for driving under the influence, you should consider contacting a DUI attorney as soon as possible.
Share
