The various ways a drunk driving conviction affects your life

Conviction of any type of criminal offense will have a significant impact on your life. One mistake can affect your future in ways you may not even realize at the moment, making it important to fight back and protect your future. This is especially important if facing allegations of drunk driving, even if it is a first-time offense. This type of offense has the potential to change your future.

If pulled over, arrested and charged with operating under the influence, you could face consequences that may range from the loss of your driving privileges to time behind bars. However, the implications can also affect you long-term. When considering how to confront the charges against you and whether you should simply plead guilty, you may consider how this will affect your future.

Short- and long-term implications of an OUI

Drunk driving is a relatively common type of criminal offense, but this does not mean you shouldn’t take your situation seriously. While the specific consequences you could face — if convicted — depend on your criminal history, the specifics of your case and other factors, possible implications include:

• Revocation of your driver’s license
• Time behind bars
• Expensive fines
• High auto insurance rates
• Mandatory participation in alcohol-treatment programs

These are only a few examples of how your OUI could affect your life short-term. Other ways you could find your life different after a drunk driving conviction include:

• Mark on your criminal record
• Loss of employment
• Damage to your reputation
• Impact on custody case
• Loss of educational or employment opportunities

Whether it is your first offense or you have previous convictions on your record, your future is worth protecting. Entering a guilty plea or feeling that a conviction is inevitable is never your only option. You have the right to confront the case against you and seek to preserve your future interests.

Regain control

It’s normal to feel out of control and overwhelmed when facing OUI charges. Massachusetts drivers facing these allegations are facing the potential of steep consequences, and you may feel unsure of how you could ever move forward from this point. Thankfully, one mistake does not have to define your future. It may help to start by learning as much as you can about your rights and defense options, identifying the most effective and appropriate way forward.