In numbers, alcohol-related car accidents in America claim lives every 50 minutes, with 29 motorcycle-related death recorded every day. Additionally, these cost $44 billion in damages and losses every year. It only fits that the government takes DUI cases seriously and creates preemptive measures to help lessen or completely eradicate them.
Here are what to expect if you’ve been charged with a DUI case for the first time.
Get Ready to Be Arrested
Once you are caught drunk driving, the authorities will bring you to the local police station or jail, where they will take your mugshot and fingerprints. This process could be a terrifying event causing worry and fear, particularly for first-time violators.
Although authorities can free you if someone can fetch you from prison, pays your bond, and takes you home, most states now require imprisonment terms that usually last for two days, even for first-time drunk driving offenders.
On the other hand, most states make incarceration mandatory for repeat offenders, with sentences lasting more than a few days. Additionally, if your DUI case has aggravating factors, the court could well enhance your punishments.
Get Ready to Face the Court
If you are charged, you will be given the notice to appear in court with the time and date for your schedule. Here, you will face allegations of DUI. If you want to contest the accusations or enter a not guilty plea and prove it in court instead, be prepared for any police vehicle dashboard footage of you doing a field sobriety test.
Get Ready to Lose Your Driver’s License
Even though this is your initial DUI arrest, there’s still a big chance that you can get your driver’s license suspended for a while. Although this is true for most states, refusal to submit to a breathalyzer or blood test can cost you your license almost immediately before you could even reach the court in some areas. In some cases, it can even cost you some jail time.
Get Ready for Monetary Penalties
Another repercussion you can anticipate is paying an offense fine. Every state has a statute that includes a fee as part of the penalties for drunk driving. If other infractions are done simultaneously, the penalties may be more significant, and they will be determined by the factors affecting your arrest. You might expect a hefty increase if, for example, your irresponsible, intoxicated driving hurt another person, destroyed property, or put others at risk.
You’ll also be accountable for paying any court expenses linked with your case.
Get Ready to Complete Your Probation
Although your punishment does not generally involve jail time, you could still receive a probation term. The judge presiding over your case will establish the conditions of your probation. Note that you could wind up in jail if you don’t follow all the rules agreed upon.
Get Ready for Drug and Alcohol Tests
A therapist may be appointed to you as part of your probation terms to assist you in determining if you have an alcohol misuse issue. If proven true, the counselor is assigned to evaluate the effects of your alcohol intake in terms of your actions, life decisions, and attitude towards people.
They will assess what actions you have to take to bring it under control. Addiction to alcohol or drugs is hazardous, especially when the individual in issue is driving.
Get Ready for Higher Insurance Fees
Your vehicle insurance will be affected if you are guilty of a DUI. Before you can get behind the wheel again, you must get SR-22 insurance. This sort of vehicle insurance must be in effect for a period of three years.
The rates might be doubled, if not tripled; thus, make sure to find a trusted high-risk auto insurance company to assist you with wherever you are.
A DUI conviction will appear on your driving record for several years. Additionally, some positions, such as driving a bus, delivery truck, or any other transportation as part of the job requirement, are restricted to persons charged with a DUI.
If crash victims choose to sue for damaged property or physical injury, the motorist will face a separate civil case. Moreover, If you suffered a drunk-driving accident, you might want to watch out for symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can range from having nightmares, depressive moods, difficulties sleeping, chronic fatigue, jumpiness, aggressiveness, and aggression.
If you believe you have an alcohol or mental health issue, there is no shame in seeking treatment. Counseling can help you reduce or completely stop drinking and provide coping methods for the emotional pain that can come with the traumatic event that transpired.
