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Drinking and driving could result in a criminal offense, heavy fines, the suspension of your license, and even time in prison. It could also impact your employment, insurance premiums, and your future opportunities for years to come.
Police officers frequently depend on breath tests, field sobriety tests, statements from witnesses, and crash evidence to investigate. One such event can carry a serious drinking and driving charge even if no injuries occur.
In this blog, we have provided detailed information about what happens after a drunk driving arrest and its penalties.
What Happens After a Drunk Driving Arrest?
Most drivers will be affected right away following their arrest, prior to any court hearing. Police may suspend license suspensions, impound cars, and conduct chemical tests on the driver during the course of the investigation.
Refusing a breath or blood test can also lead to more serious consequences under a state’s implied consent laws. Refusing a test may bring extended license suspensions and required alcohol education programs.
Fines, Jail Time, and Court Penalties
First-time offenders are almost always given fines. The range is from a few hundred to many thousands of dollars, depending on state law. Courts may also order probation, community service, or attendance at alcohol treatment programs.
Repeat convictions tend to attract more severe punishment as courts view drink-driving on more than one occasion as a dangerous threat to society. States sometimes treat repeat offenses as felonies, which can result in lengthy incarceration and a criminal record.
Several factors can increase penalties quickly, including:
- Driving a motor vehicle with a child passenger
- Causing an accident that causes injury to someone else
- Having an extremely high blood alcohol concentration
- Driving a vehicle with a suspended or revoked license
Can a Drunk Driving Conviction Affect Your Daily Life?
Conviction can have a long-lasting effect on budgets for years after court penalties end. Insurance premiums for convicted drivers can increase considerably.
Work opportunities may also be scarce once convicted, especially for commercial drivers or employees of companies with delivery trucks. Other professional licensing boards check criminal convictions before renewing licensure in fields such as healthcare, education, or government.
Drivers often think that a plea does away with all long-term consequences, but that is rarely the case. Reductions in charges can still stand out on background checks, hinder travel plans, or impact future sentencing.
Why Do Accident Cases Often Carry Tougher Consequences?
Punishments escalate substantially if the drunk driving accident injures someone, damages property, or kills a person. Prosecutors may pursue felony charges under those circumstances, and courts can order restitution for medical bills, wage loss, and repairs.
Certain drivers feel that allegations are dropped if authorities do not make arrests right away following an accident. But investigators can often review security video, blood test results, police testimonies, and hospital records months or weeks later.
Another device that courts may mandate is the ignition interlock. This device does not allow a vehicle to start if alcohol is present in the driver’s breath. This device increases monthly costs and may be mandatory for months after conviction.
Several states also place alcohol counseling requirements before the reinstatement of a suspended driver’s license.
Key Takeaways
- Alcohol and driving can result in jail time, financial penalties, and license suspension.
- Refusing a chemical test could impose further legal sanctions.
- Repeated violations often lead to tougher penalties and felony charges.
- Insurance costs usually rise after a post-drunk-driving conviction.
- Job opportunities or professional licensing may be impacted.
- High blood alcohol concentrations may lead to greater criminal penalties.
The post The Penalties You May Face if You Are Caught Drinking and Driving appeared first on The Hype Magazine.
