Not only can a DUI conviction result in a lengthy jail term, costly fines, and suspension of your driver’s license for a long period, it can also lead to a permanent criminal record. Having a DUI on your record can haunt you for years, well after you finished serving your sentence and paying the courts and the DMV.
The following are some of the long-term consequences of a DUI conviction:
- Difficulties getting a new job – Whenever you apply for a new job, most employers will run a criminal background check prior to hiring applicants. If a potential employer notices a misdemeanor or felony DUI conviction on your record, you will most likely not get the job. Drunk driving is often considered a liability, which discourages employers and their insurance providers from covering such a risk.
- Difficulties keeping your current job – A DUI arrest and conviction may also affect your current job. Court hearings, jail time, and community service hours can result in consistent tardiness and absences, which can put you at risk of losing your job. Furthermore, your company may have policies regarding DUI arrests or convictions, which could result in automatic termination. If your job requires a professional license such as a commercial driver’s license, a DUI charge could mean losing your license, meaning you cannot work.
- Losing scholarships – Many four-year colleges and universities do not accept students who have been arrested or convicted of DUI. If a student is under scholarship when the DUI offense occurred, the scholarship may be revoked. Some colleges have policies about disclosing criminal offenses, including DUI.
- Increased auto insurance rates – In addition to fines and other fees related to your case, a DUI conviction often leads to a rise in your car insurance rates since you will be labeled as a “high-risk” driver by insurance companies. For the next five years or so, your insurance rates may double or even triple. In some instances, the insurer will terminate your coverage entirely.
- Impacting personal relationships – Along with the negative professional repercussions, such bad luck can also infiltrate your personal life. Not being able to get/keep a job or getting kicked out of school can make a person feel ashamed and embarrassed due to the loss of social support.
If you have been arrested for a DUI in Alabama, our Birmingham criminal defense attorney at Tidwell Law Group can protect your rights and future by helping you obtain the best possible results in your case. If you have been convicted, we can help you expunge or seal your criminal record, so that your conviction won’t show up on background checks any longer.
For more information about our experienced legal services, contact us and schedule a free consultation today.
