The main concern many people have after an arrest is the possibility of jail time. People don’t want to spend time away from their families or risk losing their jobs because of criminal penalties. Some people overlook other potential consequences in their eagerness to limit their risk of a jail sentence.
Drivers arrested for alleged driving under the influence (DUI) violations could serve time in jail. They may also end up on probation or might need to pay relatively large fines. Some defendants choose to plead guilty in the hopes of limiting their consequences. In addition to worrying about jail time, those accused of a DUI offense also have to consider the possibility of a driver’s license penalty.
The courts can revoke a driver’s license
Anyone who pleads guilty to a DUI offense or gets convicted at trial is subject to the penalties that the courts choose to impose based on state statutes. There are typically minimum and maximum penalties, and the exact consequences depend on the discretion of the courts. People facing DUI charges might lose their driving privileges for as little as 60 days or as long as 15 years.
A first DUI conviction can result in the state revoking the defendant’s license for between 60 days and six months. After a second conviction, drivers can lose their licenses for up to 18 months. A third DUI can result in license revocation for anywhere from two to 15 years.
Drivers are often able to apply to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicles after serving part of the revocation. In cases involving particularly high blood alcohol levels or other complicating factors, the state may impose a longer revocation.
A driver’s license revocation can be embarrassing. No one wants to rely on friends and family to transport them because they cannot drive. It can also be expensive, as people may need to pay for on-demand transportation. Even those who qualify for restricted driving privileges have to pay to install and maintain the IIDs in their vehicles. Those accused of a DUI may have several different defense strategies available to them.
Reviewing a case carefully with a skilled legal team can help people determine whether they might have a medical defense or the option of challenging the use of certain evidence. The right DUI defense strategy could help people avoid convictions and, therefore, the loss of their driver’s licenses.
