If you get convicted of a DUI, you’re likely going to lose your driving privileges. What you may not know, however, is that there are other ways your life will be impacted, too, and some of the effects can last for years. Contact a DUI lawyer in Denver, CO if you are currently facing a DUI charge so you have the strongest chance of the best possible outcome in your particular case.
Multiple Fines and Fees
Court costs and fines often apply to DUI convictions, and these expenses can add up quickly. First-time offenders in many states end up paying in excess of $1,000, and for a person who has a previous DUI conviction, fines can run into the thousands.
Loss of Employment
You could lose your job due to a DUI charge or conviction, depending on where you work, what you do and how willing your employer is to accommodate the time you need off from work to handle things associated with your case. If you drive a vehicle for your job, you will find it tough, if not impossible, to keep that job after a conviction.
A DUI conviction can also hurt your chances of getting a different job in the future. Since it is a felony, it has to go on job applications and will show up on your background check.
Insurance Hikes and Troubles
Your car insurance carrier can drop you for many reasons, including a DUI conviction. You may be able to get a policy with another company, but it will be expensive. Just one DUI conviction is enough to cause your premium to double.
A DUI conviction can also impact home and health insurance rates. This is because a DUI is treated as a risk factor, signaling poor decision-making.
DUI Classes and Ignition Lock Devices
After you’ve been convicted of a DUI, you may have to get an interlock ignition device on your car in order to drive. This will come at your own cost, and you must use it to start the car by providing a breath sample. The device estimates your blood alcohol level and determines if the car should start based on the result. In addition to the device, you may have to take alcohol and DUI-related education classes, which you will also have to pay for.
Loss of a Professional License
Many professions have bodies that govern their licenses, such as lawyers and doctors. If you belong to one of these professions, you could have your professional license revoked if you are convicted of a DUI. Generally, this doesn’t happen unless you have a poor track record, but many associations do have the ability to revoke a license for a felony.
