Drunk driving has a wide array of legal, as well as moral, consequences. From jail time to the death of an innocent stranger, drunk driving has a number of consequences that will lead to pain and suffering. Every day, an auto accident attorney—whether they live in Salt Lake City or the East Coast—gets a call because someone chose to drive drunk and caused a wreck.
When you choose to drive drunk, you choose to put not only your life, but other people’s lives in danger. In the United States alone, more than 29 people die every day as the result of an alcohol-impaired vehicle crash. Do you really want to get a call from someone’s wrongful death attorney because you thought you could drive after drinking all night and got someone killed? No. Drunk driving is never an option. Here are just a few of the consequences you will face if you decide to drive drunk.
License Suspension
If you get a DUI, the likelihood is that you are going to have your license suspended. The DMV can even suspend your license even if you don’t end up getting convicted of a DUI; just as long as you drove with a higher BAC content than is legal. While some states may suspend your license for 30 days, others may suspend it for a year or longer.
Jail Time
More than half of states require jail time for DUI convictions, even if it’s your first. Typically, jail time sentences range from one day to one week. For second and subsequent offenders, however, sentences can last as long as 90 days. For example, New Jersey requires third offenders to serve a 90-day sentence.
Fines and Fees
Most DUI convictions come with fines. For first-time offenders, most states have a minimum $500 fine in addition to fees. These fees are generally license-reinstatement and court fees and can cost several hundred dollars.
Don’t drive drunk. Period. Every day, an auto accident attorney or a wrongful death attorney gets a call because someone chose to drive drunk instead of calling a friend or family member. Don’t put your life or others’ lives at risk. Call someone if you need a ride and if you’ve been in an accident as the result of another driver’s alcohol-impaired driving, call us today.
Sources:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
https://www.lawyers.com/legal-info/criminal/dui-dwi/legal-consequences-of-drinking-and-driving.html