Being charged with a DUI in the U.S. puts you in the category of being charged with the number one criminal offense in the nation. DUI arrests hit drivers who, other than this one-time mistake—lead a safe, crime-free life. Yet a DUI arrest can leave you with your life in a downward spiral from which a recovery can be difficult.
What Are The Consequences Of A DUI?
A DUI conviction in the state of Mississippi—or anywhere else, for that matter—can lead to serious, long-term consequences. Some of those consequences include:
Revocation of Your Driver’s License
If convicted of a DUI in the state of Mississippi, you could find you are facing a suspension of your driver’s license for a period from 90 days, to as long as five years. Without a driver’s license, you could find it extremely difficult to get to and from work, to run your necessary errands, take your children to and from school, or any of the hundreds of things you probably do in your vehicle every day, without thinking twice about it.
Background Checks
In this day and age, most employers conduct a criminal background check prior to hiring a job applicant. If you have a felony or misdemeanor DUI conviction on your criminal history, you could find yourself being denied a job you are otherwise very well qualified for. Even applying for college, or college financial aid, or to rent an apartment, could trigger a background check, jeopardizing your chances of a positive outcome.
Current Employment Jeopardization
If you are currently employed, then a DUI arrest and conviction can wreak havoc with your job. You will be required to show up for court dates, and could be sentenced to community service hours and/or jail time, which could result in your losing your job. With a DUI on your record, you may find that future employers are hesitant to hire you, even if your qualifications are stellar. Jobs which require that you drive a company vehicle (pizza delivery, truck driver, caterer, cab driver, sales, etc.) will most likely be closed to you with a DUI conviction on your record.
Auto Insurance Rates
It is almost a certainty that, following a DUI conviction, your insurance rates will skyrocket, perhaps becoming completely unaffordable. In some cases, your insurance company might drop you altogether, leaving you struggling to find another insurance company that will insure you—and that you can afford. Without insurance, you are not legally able to drive, even if you still have your driver’s license.
Professional and Personal Relationships
Finally, following a DUI arrest, you will most likely find that your relationships—both professional and private—suffer significantly. The manner in which your coworkers perceive you could be adversely affected, your DUI arrest could be publicized by local media, and even your own family as well as your church family could look at you differently.
Since a Mississippi DUI could result in you being sentenced to anywhere from 48 hours to 5 years in jail or prison (depending on whether this is a first, second, or subsequent DUI), you could be assessed fines from $250 to $5,000, and you could lose your driver’s license—not to mention the non-criminal penalties, which can last a lifetime—it is definitely to your advantage to speak to an experienced Mississippi DUI attorney.
Contact Our Jackson DUI Defense Lawyers
If you are arrested and charged with DUI in Jackson, Hattiesburg, Meridian, or anywhere in the State of Mississippi, you need to fight for your rights and protect your freedom. The best way to do this is to hire an experienced Jackson DUI defense attorney immediately.
At Coxwell & Associates, PLLC, our attorneys believe in fighting aggressively for our clients and we can build a defense that is designed to expose the holes in the prosecution’s case against you. Contact Coxwell & Associates today at (601) 265-7766. Alternatively, you can see if you’re eligible via the form below:
Disclaimer: This blog is intended as general information purposes only, and is not a substitute for legal advice. Anyone with a legal problem should consult a lawyer immediately.