There is so much to think about when you’re charged with drunk driving. Will your license be revoked? If so, for how long? Will you go to jail? What will you friends and family think?
Financial issues are also worrying when it comes to drunk driving. You will most likely be fined, and the amounts range from $500 to $5,000 or more. Of course, fines are just one aspect of the many financial obligations you’ll face if convicted of a DUI.
What Are the Financial Consequences of Drunk Driving?
Your finances are likely to be hard hit after a drunk driving conviction. When it comes to fines, second and subsequent offenses incur mandatory minimums, which range from $500 to $750. However, the total maximum fine can be much higher depending on the circumstances surrounding your case. By the eighth drunk driving offense, you could be fined as much as $10,000.
Of course, that’s not the only way you’ll be affected financially. License revocation limits your earning potential, as you may be unable to commute to work for a month or longer. And if your license is revoked for a year or more, you’ll be forced to use public transportation or rideshares.
Drunk driving convictions are also associated with many other costs. Court fees, costs for substance abuse screenings and treatment, and costs associated with having an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle will be your sole responsibility.
What Should I Do After a Drunk Driving Arrest?
You’re likely to be overwhelmed by your drunk driving incident, as well as the punishments you face. Here are some steps you can take in the aftermath:
- Don’t panic. While DUIs are definitely stressful, they are not insurmountable. You will get through this.
- Don’t feel ashamed. Being arrested for drunk driving does not mean you’re a terrible person. It simply means you made a mistake. Learn from it and move forward.
- Don’t worry about the future. There are a lot of factors when it comes to a DUI charge, so take things one step at a time.
- Don’t do it alone. While you can handle your DUI on your own, securing skilled legal counsel ensures a much better outcome in most cases.
Here at Simon A. Kubiak, Attorneys at Law, PC, we’ve seen clients from every walk of life charged with drunk driving. We understand the entire process can be stressful, so we’re glad to provide dependable DUI defense to people throughout Albuquerque. Our attorneys are poised and ready to act on your behalf.