Long-Term Effects of a DUI
In California, it’s illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol and to drive with a BAC level of .08% or higher. Doing so results in an arrest, fines, a misdemeanor charge, and many other immediate consequences. If you receive a DUI, you can see impacts that carry on throughout your life.Driver’s License Revoked
Even if it is your first offense, your driver’s license will likely be revoked. Your license can be revoked for any amount of time up to two years. Without a license, it becomes inconvenient to get around. You’ll need to depend on others to run errands, visit friends and family, and travel in general. If your job requires you to drive, you will no longer be able to do your job. Once you’ve served the time in which your license is suspended, you can get it reinstated and this will be accompanied by a fee.Employment
One of the biggest consequences of a DUI is evident in your employment opportunities. Many employers are hesitant to hire or employ anyone with a criminal record. Your current employer may have grounds to fire you due to your DUI charge. When you apply for other jobs, your DUI will show up in all background checks. Employers are less likely to hire you in this case. A DUI can follow you for a long time and hold you back from getting the jobs you want. To address this, you can look into getting your record expunged so the charge no longer shows up in background checks.Personal and Professional Relationships
There is a stigma that surrounds receiving a DUI. People view it as irresponsible and careless. In the workplace, people’s opinions may be lowered. This can include both the opinions of your boss and your coworkers. Trust may be broken and it can become difficult to advance in your career or to simply have friends at work. A DUI can also affect your personal life. Friends and family may become overly concerned about you and constantly check in about your drinking habits. They may even take the opposite approach and turn away from you. Either way, it can be difficult to maintain healthy relationships with others. Getting behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated might be a split-second decision, but it can have a lasting effect on your life. If you’ve been charged with a DUI, you need help in addressing the charges. You can fight them or try to diminish them for the sake of your future. Working with an attorney can help you achieve the best-case scenario. Click here to learn more about the Law Offices of Bradley Corbett.
Bradley Corbett
Bradley Corbett is a criminal defense attorney in San Diego. He graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo Utah in 2004. Later he enrolled at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego where he participated in a prestigious internship program with the Los Angeles County Public Defender. Since then he has handled over 2,000 cases.