Being charged with a DUI is an unfortunate and stressful situation for anyone, a DUI can have significant consequences on different areas of your life that you wouldn’t have imagined. Having a criminal record could seriously impact your future. Before you drive under the influence consider all the ways a DUI charge could affect you and even your family’s lives.
College and Scholarship Applications
Having a DUI conviction before going to college could jeopardize your opportunity to be accepted in some schools. Many college applications require you to list prior convictions or arrests, having a DUI on your record may get your application denied Some scholarship applications could also be denied if you have a criminal record.
Job Applications
Depending on the state where you live in and what job you are applying for, a DUI can severely impact your chances of being hired. Just being arrested for a DUI will usually not have a significant effect on your job search, most states allow employers to ask about criminal convictions but not about arrests. If you had your DUI conviction expunged from your record, then you aren’t required to disclose it on any job applications.
Car Insurance
One of the effects of a DUI is an increase in your insurance policy rate. According to carinsurance.com, your insurance policy will increase by an average of $1,163 a year and you can expect your rates to double after a DUI. Not only will your insurance rates increase but your insurer may decide to cancel your policy if they believe you are too risky to insure.
Job Applications
Some job positions can be more severely impacted by a DUI than others. For example, if you work with children you may be fired or not be able to find work if you have a DUI in your records. Companies that handle confidential information may have a policy that doesn’t allow employees to have a criminal record. Military and governmental jobs may also be difficult to find after a DUI conviction.
Home Loans
A DUI could also impact your credit history, in most cases the court will fine you and order you to pay other monetary penalties. Criminal convictions are not a part of your credit profile, but unpaid fines or unpaid court fees could be reported to a credit bureau and negatively affect your credit score. A low credit score will impact how much money you can borrow for a home loan and the loan’s terms.
A DUI can affect your life years after your conviction or arrest. Speaking to a DUI attorney early on after your arrest can help you understand your charges and build a strong defense against them. Depending on your case an attorney could also help you clear your record and avoid more negative consequences.