The long term effects of a DUI conviction can hinder the employment status and driving status of an offender. Anyone that is charged with driving under the influence can expect to face quite a few fines and penalties if they are a first time offender but even stricter DUI fines and penalties if they are a repeat offender. Many offenders of the DUI laws in the country have their drivers license revoked, have their driving privileges revoked for two or more years, lose their jobs, cannot be hired for a new job and even have their insurance rates increased greatly. A DUI conviction can stay permanently on a person's criminal record if it is considered a felony. A DUI is considered a felony if a serious injury occurred as a result of the accident, if a victim was killed, or if the offender is a habitual offender. To have a misdemeanor DUI charge removed from a criminal record the person must first request a pardon from the state's governor. If the governor pardons the offender the charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor. A misdemeanor can be expunged from a person's criminal record after a period of time.
Effects of a DUI Conviction
The effects of a DUI conviction are numerous and they include the loss of a job, the inability to be hired for a job, spending time in jail and having your insurance rates raised through the roof. Other effects depend on the age of the offender and if they are a first time offender or a repeat offender.
If you are under the age of 21 and are convicted for the first time you face these juvenile DUI penalties:
- Class A misdemeanor with possible 0- 12 months imprisonment
- Loss of driving privileges for minimum 2 years
- 100 hours community service
- Fines of up to $2,500
- Eligible for Restricted Driving Permit (RDP) after one year of revocation
- If you are over the age of 21 and are convicted for the first time you face the following penalties:
- Class A misdemeanor with possible 0-12 months imprisonment
- Loss of driving privileges for minimum 1 year
- 100 hours community service
- Fines of up to $2,500
- Eligible for RDP
- If this is your second conviction:
- Class A misdemeanor with possible 0-12 months imprisonment
- Fines of up to $2,500
- Eligible for RDP after one year of revocation
- Loss of driving privileges for minimum 5 years if committed within 20 years of first conviction.
- If you are a repeat offender within five years of a prior conviction:
- Mandatory 5 days in jail or 240 hours community service
- Fines of up to $2,500
- Eligible for RDP after one year of revocation
- If you are a convicted for a third time:
- Class 2 felony with possible 3-7 years imprisonment
- Mandatory minimum 10 days in jail or 480 hours community service
- Fines of up to $25,000
- Loss of driving privileges for minimum 10 years.
- If you are convicted for a fourth time:
- Class 2 felony with possible 3-7 years imprisonment
- Fines of up to $25,000
- Lifetime loss of driving privileges
- Not eligible for any type of driving relief.
- The third, fourth, fifth and sixth convictions are considered aggravated DUI charges.
If you have been charged with a DUI, consult with a DUI lawyer near you to discuss your options.
