After a casual night of drinks or a house party, you are on the side of the road blowing into a breathalyzer. You are hoping that you are as sober as you thought you were when you decided to go behind the wheel, but it turns out your blood alcohol content level was above the legal limit.
Thankfully, there are variety of defenses that may fit your case — that breathalyzer test that sent you to jail might even be inaccurate. However, after receiving a DUI charge, it’s important to understand that you may be facing the impact of the penalties for many years down the line.
Personal life and career setbacks
First-time offenders in Indiana could have to pay a fine up to $5,000, spend up to one year behind bars and have their license suspended for up to two years. In the long-term these penalties could cause someone to suffer in their personal or work life. Being in prison for a year and having a criminal charge on your record can make it difficult to earn the trust of friends and family back. It may also cause problems when a potential employer runs a background check and sees your criminal history. It’s not impossible to land a job, but you might find yourself off track on career goals you set for yourself or you might need to go through dozens of interviews.
Not having a license might also result in literal roadblocks as you will need a way to get to and from job interviews and maybe even alcohol safety courses or treatment. And if your family relied on you to drive them around, you’ll have to figure out alternative ways to transport your family and yourself.
Financial ramifications
Financially, you could face several setbacks as well. Beyond the $5,000 fines there are other court fees you might come across. Plus, if you hope to drive after reinstating your license, then you may face insurance rates that are a lot higher than they were before your arrest.
Finding a legal aid to represent you may help you reach a reduction of penalties.