DUI is a serious criminal offense. Even a 1st time DUI can have serious consequences. Besides the penalties, you will also have problems with your auto insurance.
Driving Under the Influence
DUI means driving under the influence. If you are stopped on the suspicion of DUI, the police will use a breathalyzer on you to determine your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). The legal BAC limit is .08% - 0.8 grams of alcohol per 1000 grams of blood. If your BAC is .08% or higher you will be arrested for DUI.
Penalties for 1st time DUI
All states have severe penalties for DUI. Even 1st time DUI offenders have to face severe penalties. 1st time DUI offenders can be sentenced to probation and hefty fines. You may be ordered to undergo alcohol counseling. In some cases you can even be sent to jail. Many factors will influence the penalty – the speed at which you were traveling, you BAC, the place where you were stopped, property damage and injuries to others on the road. A 1st time DUI offense will result in a criminal record which can cause problems for you when you apply for a job. Almost all states require a person convicted of DUI to get a SR 22 form from his or her auto insurance company certifying that he or she has auto insurance. So your auto insurance company will come to know that you have a DUI conviction. Even if your state does not have a SR 22 form requirement, your DUI conviction will appear when the insurance company does a background check on you.
Insurance Issues
A 1st time DUI can cause insurance problems for you. In fact some insurance companies will cancel your policy immediately upon a DUI offence. If your insurance company does not cancel your policy, it will increase your insurance premium. The increase can be drastic. The rates will vary from state to state and also from one insurance company to another. If it is your 1st DUI and you have an otherwise good driving record, the increase will be marginal. But if your driving record is not good, the increase can be substantial. Even if you change your insurance company, the new company will also charge you more. Insurance business is based on risk. A DUI increases the risk you pose for the company. An increase in risk translates into higher premiums. You will be categorized as high risk. You will have to pay higher premiums for as long as the DUI remains on your driving record which can vary from 3 years to life depending on your state laws.
Getting Legal Help
If you are charged with DUI, even if it a 1st time DUI, you must contact an experienced drunk driving attorney. A conviction can cause serious insurance issues.
