What Happens If You Are Caught Drunk Driving?
Getting caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be a frightening experience. It can also have a major impact on your life. It can affect your finances, job, and relationships. You may also experience feelings of guilt, anxiety, and depression. Knowing what happens if you are caught drunk driving can help you get the assistance you need.
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The first thing you should do is consult with a lawyer who has experience in dealing with DUI cases. Your lawyer can help you get a conditional license and fight for your driving privileges. Your lawyer can also help you with arraignments and court proceedings. Depending on the facts of the case, you can either plead guilty or not guilty. In most jurisdictions, you will have to take an alcohol education class. If you are convicted of a DUI, you will lose your freedom to drive for some time.
You will have to wait for a judge to decide when you can drive again. You will also have to pay for a DUI program, which can last from nine months to a year. During this period, you will have to undergo counseling to determine if you have an alcohol use disorder.
After a conviction, you will have to serve jail time and your license will be suspended. You can request a conditional license after 30 days of suspension. If you are a first-time offender, the jail term will usually be one or two days. However, you can ask for a longer term of imprisonment. A second-offender jail term is usually five or seven days. If you are arrested for a felony DUI, the jail time may be increased. The penalties will also vary based on the nature of the crime.
In addition to the jail term, you will also be required to pay fines and fees. These will depend on the charge and where you were arrested. If you have a child in the vehicle, the fines will also increase. The fines and fees will also be higher if the BAC was 0.05% or more. The fines will also increase if you caused property damage or harm to other people.
You will have to pay a fee for the ignition interlock device, which prevents you from starting the vehicle with alcohol on your breath. This will cost you approximately $100. You must also pay the installation fee. If you have to buy a new car, you may have to pay for storage and insurance.
You may also be subject to a probation sentence. This will include a monthly fee and supervision costs. In addition, you will have to perform community service hours. This can interfere with your schedule. You can also have your vehicle impounded. You can also face high insurance premiums. If you refuse to take a blood or urine test, you will face repercussions. Similarly, if you refuse to cooperate with field sobriety tests, you will be liable for a fine.