Tag: Driving under the influence

DUI Case

The Personal Effects Of A DUI Case On Individuals: By Counsellors

Most people take Driving Under The Influence (DUI) cases too lightly and believe that they will not impact their lives. However, that is not the case, and people learn this the hard way. DUI has a major impact on an individual's life who has been charged with DUI. What Is DUI? DUI is a crime in any state for a motorist or a car operator who has been driving their auto vehicle under the effect of alcohol or drugs. According to law, this kind of offense is called Driving Under The Influence (DUI). Upon the conviction of a DUI, you will receive a criminal sentence and will be punished accordingly. Depending on the severity of the case, you might be charged a fine or put in jail. To better understand DUI cases, you must know your state laws. For instance, if you live in DC, you need to be aware of DUI laws in DC. This will help you take the right action after you have been convicted of DUI charges. In such scenarios, one of the best courses of action will be to call your lawyer and let them handle the situation. How DUI Cases Affect Your Life? Being charged with DUI offenses puts you in the category where you can be charged with a number of criminal offenses. A person who is pulled over and cured with DUI will suffer many consequences. Most drivers are aware of the consequences. It includes: Suspense license. Jail time. Increase in your auto insurance premium. These reasons are more than enough to show how impactful DUI can be on your life. 1. Education Many colleges and universities ask their applicants whether or not they have any conviction charges. If the state considers DUI as a crime, they need to answer YES. Likewise, a DUI charge can cost students scholarships. This might pose a problem for the students to complete their college degrees. 2. Employment There are several ways a DUI can impact a person's professional career. If you are charged with a DUI, the employer can take action to terminate you. Furthermore, it limits your job options in the future. Depending on the states, DUI cases can make you a criminal and revoke your professional license, such as an attorney, nurse, plumber, electrician, etc. 3. Revocation Of Driving License One of the most critical impacts a DUI case can leave on your life is the revocation of your driving license. The normal tenure for revocation of a driving license is 90 days. However, depending on the severity of the charges, it can expand to six months or even years. Furthermore, if you continue to pile DUI charges, your license can be completely canceled. 4. Increased Insurance Rate It is almost certain that followed by DUI charges; your auto insurance rate will increase drastically. In fact, if the severity of your charges is high, your auto insurance company can drop the insurance altogether. Without the insurance, you cannot drive your auto vehicle legally. In addition, your personal health insurance also gets a hike in insurance premiums. Simply put, in the eyes of insurers, DUI is a risky element that puts not only the driver in danger but also the people around them. 5. Personal Life A DUI case can ruin your personal relationship with your friends and family. Some states grant at-fault divorces in many cases, including DUIs. In addition, the judges might decide to give the custody of your children to your ex-life partner. Furthermore, it ruins your reputation in society. Even though the charges were not severe, people around you started seeing you in a different light. Takes Away Your Travel & Leisure Most people already know the impact mentioned above, but there is another impact that goes unnoticed is the restriction on entering other nations. Yes, you read it correctly. When you apply for a visa, your DUI charges are gone through during the background checks. Many countries do allow any individuals with past DUI cases to enter the nation. Read Also: How to Handle a Car Accident? What are the Penalties for DUI in Florida DWI: 7 Major Reasons You Need A Legal Expert To Represent You

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DUI Florida

What are the Penalties for DUI in Florida

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious crime in the state of Florida. Often, drivers are unaware of both their rights when they are suspected of DUI and the consequences of a DUI conviction. First DUI Conviction : There are multiple legal options available for a first time DUI offenders, but depending on the circumstances of the offense, the punishments for your DUI conviction can be extremely harsh. These punishments, pursuant to Florida Statute 316.193, can include: A fine between $500 and $1000. Imprisonment for up to six months. Mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device, at the offender's expense, in all vehicles owned and operated by the offender for a continuous period of up to six months. The punishments for a first time DUI offenders can be increased in certain scenarios. These scenarios fall under what is called “enhancement statutes”. Generally, your first DUI offense is considered a misdemeanor, but certain circumstances can enhance a person’s first DUI to a felony. If during the course of committing your first DUI, you cause serious bodily injury to another, the DUI with a serious bodily injury can be considered a felony offense of the third degree, which can result in imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to $5000, and other punishments. Other enhancements can be applied if an individual is killed as a result of a first-time DUI offense, which is considered DUI manslaughter. Multiple aspects of the crime can affect the punishments rendered to a DUI manslaughter offender, and if you are ever charged with this crime, you should consult with first DUI lawyers immediately. These enhancements and others apply to repeat DUI offenders as well as first-time offenders. Second DUI Conviction : People convicted of DUI for the second time face the following enhanced sentences: A fine between $1,000 and $2,000. Imprisonment for up to nine months. Mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device, at the offender's expense, in all vehicles owned and operated by the offender for a continuous period of up to one year. Third DUI Offense : People convicted of three DUIs face serious sentences. The third DUI has automatically deemed a third-degree felony if the third DUI was committed within 10 years of a past DUI conviction. The sentences imposed for a third DUI conviction in this situation are as follows: Imprisonment for up to five years. A fine of up to $5000. Mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device, at the offender's expense, in all vehicles owned and operated by the offender for a continuous period of up to two years. If the third DUI offense is committed more than ten years after an offender’s last DUI conviction, the offender will face the same amount of time with an ignition interlock device, but the fine imposed is between $2,000 and $5,000 and the term of imprisonment cannot exceed one year. Fourth DUI Offense : A fourth DUI conviction, regardless of when it occurs, is considered a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of $2,000 to $5,000. In addition to the penalties discussed, every DUI conviction carries with it a minimum period of revocation of the offender's license, which can be found on the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website. If you have been arrested for DUI, contact a criminal defense attorney in Winter Park, FL.

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