It only takes one bad decision to change the trajectory of your life. If you’ve been charged with drunk driving, it’s important that you hire an experienced attorney. Once you have a drunk driving conviction on your record, it can be more difficult to get a job or even find a place to live.
There are many misconceptions about drunk driving. For example, it’s a myth that the first conviction isn’t a big deal. The truth is that any conviction on your record will make different aspects of your life more difficult.
Here’s how a drunk driving conviction can change your life.
After your first DUI conviction, your driver’s license will be suspended for six months. But you may be eligible for a restricted license after serving 30 days of the suspension.
In the United States, not being able to drive can be a hardship. This is especially the case when you depend on your car to drive to work.
If this describes your situation, your attorney will do everything they can to help you .
If you drive on a restricted license, you’ll need to carry proof that you’re driving for an allowed reason. For example, you may need to carry your work schedule with you. That way, if a police officer pulls you over, you’ll be able to provide a valid reason for being behind the wheel.
Depending on the specifics of your case, you may also be required to drive a vehicle with a working .
Certain industries require a clean background, such as education, child care, health care, transportation, and banking. This means that you could lose your job if you have a drunk driving conviction on your record. It also means that you’ll have more trouble trying to find a new job.
Depending on the industry, businesses may require job applicants to pass a background check as a condition of employment. Anyone who doesn’t pass the background check is not eligible for a job with that company.
Most apartment complexes and condos will run background checks on their applicants. Often, these background checks won’t reveal any specific details. But they will come back with a simple “yes” or “no” verdict. A “yes” verdict indicates that the applicant has a clean record while a “no” verdict indicates a criminal record.
Once you have a drunk driving conviction on your record, it can be difficult finding a place to live. And if you think you can circumvent this problem by buying a house, think again. You may have difficulty getting a mortgage from the bank if they run a criminal background check and see your drunk driving conviction.
Given the choice, companies prefer to rent and give out loans to people with clean backgrounds.
The higher the perceived risk, the higher the insurance premium. If you’re able to get auto insurance, you’ll pay a much higher rate than someone with a clean record. This is because people who have a history of drunk driving are more likely to drive drunk again and cause accidents. In other words, you’re more likely to make a claim on your auto insurance.
By now, you know that a drunk driving conviction has the power to change the course of your life. That’s why it’s important that you hire a DUI attorney to take the lead with your case.
Our OWI attorneys in Grand Rapids and Ionia are ready to help you get the best outcome for your case. To request a legal consultation, please call Peterson Paletta Balice or fill out our online contact form.