Consequences of a DUI Much More Than Just Loss of License

 Posted on January 28, 2022 in Driving Under the Influence

In the state of Connecticut, a driver is considered legally drunk if they are operating their vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. If the driver is operating under a commercial driver’s license at the time of the arrest, the BAC level is 0.04 percent. If the driver is under the age of 21, the BAC level is 0.02 percent.

Under the state’s driving under the influence laws, even a first-time offender will lose their driving privileges. Subsequent offenders face longer periods of revocation and may even be sentenced to jail.

However, it is important to understand that a DUI conviction has even further-reaching effects and can have a significant impact on the person’s personal and professional life. The following are just some of the ways a conviction can wreak havoc on your future.

Employment

If you have lost your right to drive, transportation to and from work will likely be an issue. In some cases, the court may grant you permission to drive only to get back and forth to work, however, those hours you are allowed to commute may not be the same hours your employer needs you at work. You also have the added stress of your employer now being uncomfortable and/or suspicious that your DUI conviction is a sign of a possible alcohol problem.

Your DUI conviction may also interfere with any future employment opportunities. Employers would rather avoid hiring a professional who has a DUI on their record and may even have a policy of not hiring people who have been convicted of drunk driving.

Child Custody

If you are divorced, your DUI conviction may have an impact on any kind of child custody order that is in place. The court may look at the conviction as an indicator that the parent has an alcohol problem and this could result in limits on parenting time. If your children were in the vehicle with you at the time of your arrest, the court may take immediate action to ensure the children’s safety. It could also result in even more serious criminal charges being filed against you, such as child endangerment.

Even if your DUI conviction does not trigger any child custody issues with your ex spouse, it could still cause a serious problem with transportation of the children for your parenting time. You will need to figure out who is going to pick up and drop off the children. There may also be a problem with getting them to and from school along with the extracurricular activities they may be involved in.

Vehicle Insurance

If your license is suspended, the good news is that you will likely get it reinstated after your sentence. However, be prepared to pay astronomical insurance rates now that you have a DUI on your record.

And it is not just your auto insurance that may see a rise in premiums. Life insurance and homeowners insurance premiums may also increase as many insurance companies consider you now a higher risk to insure.

Call a Stamford, CT Defense Attorney for Help

As you can see, there are many consequences for conviction when charged with a DUI. Depending on the circumstances of your case, there may be other legal options you have, such as pleading to lesser charges or even having the charges dropped completely. Contact Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner at 203-348-5846 to schedule a free consultation with a skilled Fairfield County DUI defense lawyer and find out what all of those options may be. 

Source:

https://www.cga.ct.gov/2011/rpt/2011-R-0319.htm