No driver wants to end up facing drunk driving charges which are serious criminal charges. In addition to understanding defense options available to them, accused drivers need to know exactly what they are facing following drunk driving charges.
One important aspect of a drunk driving charge for accused drivers to understand is that both criminal penalties and administrative consequences may be associated with drunk driving charges. Administrative penalties that accused drivers can face include driver’s license suspension. For the first DUI, the accused driver may face license suspension for 9 months; for a second DUI, the accused diver may face license suspension for one year; and for a third DUI, the accused driver may face license suspension for up to 2 years.
In addition to administrative consequences, accused drivers may also face jail time and other penalties associated with the criminal process, including a mandatory alcohol assessment and treatment, an ignition interlock requirement on their vehicle and possible fines. Accuse drivers also face having a criminal record associated with a drunk driving arrest and drunk driving charges. Knowing how to assert their criminal defense rights can stand between accused drivers and the penalties and consequences they face.
The consequences of drunk driving charges can be far-reaching. They can impact many areas of the accused driver’s life including their personal and professional lives, including employment and relationships. As a result, accused drivers need to know what to do and how to respond to drunk driving charges with a strong criminal defense strategy.