Everyone knows that if you’re charged with driving under the influence (DUI), you can expect criminal penalties that may be serious, even for a first-time offense. For instance, you may have to serve a term on probation and reach particular conditions, spend money for a fine, or install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. You may also spend time in jail, specifically if it’s not your first time being charged with a DUI.
Yet, these aren’t the only matters you may face due to a DUI charge. You will also likely face collateral or indirect consequences. These are additional penalties or punishments that go along with criminal charges. The collateral damage of a criminal offense could even be more troublesome than the legal consequences.
Overall, continue reading if you want to know more about some collateral consequences of a DUI charge.
- It Can Affect Your Current And Future Job
Most companies don’t have a strict policy regarding employing someone with a drunk driving charge record. Yet, a job application from someone with a DUI conviction quickly moves to the bottom of their priority list. It’s especially true if the charge is a recent one.
So, if you’re wondering if a DUI affect my job, it does. It’s the case even if the employment requirements don’t mention it. Furthermore, because it tarnishes your professional reputation, even your current job could be at risk.
Nonetheless, if you’re applying in the private field, you don’t have to share that you’re charged with DUI if the court erased it. Unfortunately, the charge is still mentioned if you have an offense that happened twice or more. Additionally, it must not be concealed when applying for any professional or government job, licensing, bonding, and security clearance. The employer and the licensing agency can choose whether you are banned from the licensing or job because of the DUI charge.
Likewise, know that some jobs that are most probably affected by DUI collateral consequences are:
- Law Enforcement
- Teachers
- Truck Drivers And Owners Of A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
- The Military
- Pilots and Airmen
- Real Estate Agents
- Ship Captains, Merchant Mariners
- It Can Impact Your Search For An Apartment
When searching for apartments, your potential landlords won’t just examine the sources of your money and credit score. Most likely, they’ll also check your background, which consists of finding a way into your criminal record. If they’ve found a DUI charge on your record, whether the charge is a felony or a misdemeanor can affect you in different ways.
A DUI charge can become a misdemeanor or a felony. Offenders who repeatedly obtained the charge are more likely to be convicted of a felony—but it may still depend on where you live. You may probably also be charged with a felony if you have another criminal record or if a person dies because of you.
Usually, felonies discourage landlords from allowing you to rent an apartment. But a DUI misdemeanor can be less fixed regarding approval or disapproval. Regardless of the matter, if you have a DUI, particularly a less typical felony DUI on your criminal history, it’s likely to impact your search for a suitable apartment.
In addition, the duration since the incident happened is also a thing landlords will probably take note of when assessing your application. A DUI from over a decade ago is likely less tricky than one that occurred a few weeks ago. Remember, though, that your history in between must be relatively sober. Property owners want to know that you’ve decided to alter your lifestyle and can be reliable in not committing the same error again.
- It Can Increase Your Auto Insurance Rates
Your driver’s license can be suspended when you’re charged with DUI. State laws vary on the duration of the suspension, but it’s often a period of three to six months. There are two ways this can occur: the court suspended the license, or the state motor vehicle department ruled the suspension.
In addition to this, know that your car insurance costs will get higher after a DUI charge. Studies reported that those charged with DUI spend between three to five times more in insurance premiums than those who don’t have the charge. The insurance companies assess based on prior convictions, age, and other factors to know the duration the person charged with a DUI will spend money for the higher premiums.
You should know that money spent on premiums differs among various insurance providers. However, on average, car owners with DUI charges spend more on premiums between three to seven years before the rates decrease again.
The reason that rates increase is that a driver charged with DUI generally has a greater risk. Your insurance provider will know about your circumstances through your state’s motor vehicle department and driving history. So, it’s advisable to sort things ahead and notify your car insurance provider immediately.
Conclusion
Besides the legal consequences of a DUI charge, there are also some other collateral consequences to having it. You can expect that it can impact your current job or job hunt, affect your apartment search, increase your car insurance rates, and more. Hopefully, this article helps you become informed about collateral consequences if you’re ever charged with DUI.
