Six Things You Should Know After Your First DUI
What happens when you’re arrested for drinking and driving? Do you have to tell your parents or your school? Will you be fined? Will you lose your license? After being arrested for your first DUI, you’re going to have a lot of questions about what happens next. Every case is different, but there are common legal procedures shared by most cases. Here are a few things you should know after your first DUI.
1. You may lose your license for a minimum of 180 days.
Within a few weeks of your arrest, you can expect the BMV to send you notice that your license has been formally suspended or taken away for a minimum of 180 days (six months). Whether or not you get your license back depends on the outcome of your court case. Sometimes, there is a relatively short license suspension period for first offenders. In other situations, a person can obtain specialized driving privileges. This may allow you to drive on a limited basis to limited locations without your regular driver’s license.
2. You must appear in court.
After you’re arrested, you’ll be summoned to court for an initial hearing. At your initial hearing, you can either plead guilty or not guilty. Although it’s your legal right to plead guilty at your initial hearing, this isn’t typically a good idea. With the help of an attorney, you may be able to fight your DUI.
3. You will likely be fined.
Though penalties for your first DUI vary from state to state, in Indiana, most cases result in a fine. In general, DUI’s are quite expensive. According to a survey by Driving Laws, the average cost of a DUI is $6,500. This statistic does not account for lost wages as a result of the DUI.
4. You could face DUI education, probation, or jail time.
Once again, consequences of your first DUI vary from state to state. At a minimum, the most common consequence you can expect is a fine and license suspension. However, you may also face additional repercussions on a case-by-case basis. These repercussions include mandatory DUI driver education courses, probation, and even jail time.
5. Your parents, school, or employer will likely find out about your DUI.
For many people, the worst part of a DUI is having to share this information with others. You don’t have to tell your parents about your DUI, but if you need their financial support or if they start to wonder why you haven’t been driving, you will likely have to inform them of your arrest.
Your school may also find out. Many law enforcement departments, such as Purdue University’s, inform colleges or universities if a student has been arrested for a DUI. The school may choose to take action, such as expulsion or suspension, which may obviously affect your academic career.
Your career may also be affected. Your current employer may or may not find out about your DUI, but if and when you apply for new jobs, future employers who run background checks may see this information.
The chances of keeping a DUI completely hidden from your parents, school, or employer is very low, and it’s important to be aware of this.
6. Your auto insurance premium will probably increase.
After your first DUI, auto insurance can become much more expensive. This is often an unexpected consequence of a DUI that many people don’t plan for. Furthermore, a DUI stays on your record, meaning your rates are unlikely to decrease for some time.
Hundreds of thousands of people are arrested for DUI’s every year, and many have no idea what to expect. This list should help, but an attorney can answer questions in more detail.
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Disclaimer: The content of this blog is intended to be general and informational in nature. It is advertising material and is not intended to be, nor is it, legal advice to or for any particular person, case, or circumstance. Each situation is different, and you should consult an attorney if you have any questions about your situation.
