Fight back so a DUI doesn’t ruin your life

It doesn’t matter if you’ve consumed one alcohol beverage or several, should you find yourself pulled over for suspicion of DUI you know that you’re in a difficult spot.

The first thing on your mind should be to make all the right decisions during the traffic stop, with the idea of preventing an arrest. If you’re successful in doing so, immediately move to safety, assess your situation and determine how to arrive safely at home.

Conversely, if you’re put under arrest for driving under the influence, you should then turn your attention to your legal rights. There are steps you can take to protect them, such as implementing the right defense strategy.

A conviction can impact your life in many ways, including but not limited to:

• Monetary fine: This may not be your biggest concern, but you may not have enough money in the bank to pay a fine that can reach into five figures.
• License suspension: Should you lose your driver’s license, it will impact your ability to live your life. How will you get to and from work? What will you do when your children need a ride?
• Insurance premium hike: If you’re lucky, your insurance premium will only increase. It’s possible that your insurer will decide to move on, as they consider you too high of a risk to insure. In that case, you’re left without coverage, thus making it illegal to operate a motor vehicle.
• Jail time: For many, this is the one thing they want to avoid the most. If it’s your second DUI, there’s a mandatory jail sentence of 10 days. Should you have multiple DUI arrests, your sentence could reach as long as two years.

If you make a mistake that results in a DUI arrest, don’t assume that you have no options. Yes, you were caught, but that doesn’t mean you should simply sit back and hope for the best.

The right DUI defense strategy positions you to prevent a conviction or reduce the penalties against you. Either way, do whatever you can to put this part of your life in the past with minimal impact on your future.