Driving under the Influence or drinking and driving can have far reaching consequences, both legally, financially and emotional. When considering the sky rocketing number of deaths and injuries related to drunk driving, most states have taken a more strict stance at this lack of social responsibility.
As a result, having an attorney to plead your DWI case in exchange for a lesser sentence has lost much of its appeal. Judges are trying to send a loud message that such acts of irresponsibility will not be tolerated.
If you are convicted for driving under the influence, you will not only face fines and penalties imposed by the state court system, but also many other consequences. Things that you should consider before deciding to drink and drive are the possibility of some time in prison, court fees, lawyer costs, loss of your driver’s license, being fired from your job, loss of income, steep insurance increases, community service, and worst of all – the possibility that you could harm or kill someone who is an innocent bystander with your careless behavior.
Over the past thirty years, there have been many DUI laws passed relating to drunk driving, and the legal age for consuming alcohol in all 50 states is now 21 years of age. According to DUI statistics in Ohio drinking underage and driving makes up for a disproportionate number of alcohol related deaths. So as a result, all 50 states have responded with felony charges and extended jail time for anyone convicted of DUI, DWI, OVI or driving under the influence.
In addition to the very likely possibility of have to deal with a great number of legal issues with driving under the influence, one of the worst side effects of alcohol abuse is the loss of memory and impaired judgment. In an drunken state, you will lose the ability to react quickly or drive safely. This type of behavior not only affects the safety of the intoxicated driver, but it also affects the safety of others on the roads.
